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You've heard of them and no doubt you've seen them time and again. Tabby cats are adored all over the world, but do you know where their name comes from or what are the marks of a true tabby cat? Find out all this and more here. From stripes to whorls and spots, the tabby cats strut their patterned fur all over the globe. But as familiar as they are to us, there are plenty of tabby cat facts far from the ordinary. In fact, once you get to know them, there is nothing dull about these kitties. Here are a few reasons why. What is a tabby cat? Many people think that tabby cats are a particular breed, but actually Tabby refers to the coat pattern, which can be present on lots of different breeds. In fact tabby cats will not let themselves be easily crammed into definitions. They sport different colours and sizes, exist across many breeds and wear different coat patterns. But there are groups of tabby cats - the secret is the coat pattern. There is the mackerel tabby cat with long narrow parallel stripes running up and down the sides that are said to resemble a fish skeleton, which is where the pattern's name comes from. It is believed that this pattern was the original one for tabby cats. The classic tabby is the most common of all the tabby cats. They have wider stripes that tend to curve to form circular patterns and three large stripes running from the shoulders to the base of the tail. Similar to the mackerel type, this pattern hasn't escaped food comparisons either as many people liken it to a marble cake. The next two tabby cat types have decided to do without the stripes (or the food comparisons). The spotty tabby shows off their distinct round spots against a background of lighter fur and might even display a faint necklace line. And in contrast to all the tabby cats, a ticked tabby cat exhibits hardly any stripes or spots. Although their coat stripes are very thin and barely visible on legs, face or tail, these are tabby cats through and through. It's not the coat but the hairs themselves that are striped.

If you suffer from allergies you may have given up hope of ever owning a cat, but did you know that there are certain hypoallergenic cat breeds that might not provoke your allergies? Keep reading to find out more. If you have a cat allergy, you may have completely given up on the hope of ever owning a pet cat. Some people find that the presence of a cat is enough to bring on itchy eyes and sneezing. But did you know there are actually hypoallergenic cats that might not provoke your allergies? It's important to understand that there's no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic cat, probably because there's no such thing as a typically allergic person! Different people are allergic to different things, so some cats that set off your allergies may not affect other people. However, there are certain cat breeds that provoke fewer reactions in people, which may be suitable for those of us who have allergies. Keep reading to find what commonly causes these allergic reactions and discover if any of these hypoallergenic cat breeds are for you. What causes cat allergies? There are many different causes of cat allergies: some people are allergic to cat hair, while others have an allergy to the household dust that is carried within the fur. But it's thought that many people are allergic to the 'Fel d 1' proteins found on cat hair, skin, saliva and dander (dried flakes of skin). All cats produce this protein and male cats actually produce more than females, especially if they're not neutered. Because there are technically no anti-allergy cats, it's recommended that if you suffer from allergies, you should spend some time around your chosen breed to find out if they trigger your allergies or not. This will give you peace of mind and then you'll safely be able to commit to share your life and home with them. Keep reading to find the most common hypoallergenic cat breeds.

We're often relieved to see the friendly side of our feline companions, but did you know that some breeds show it off more often than others? Here are some of the friendliest cat breeds you can wish for. "Does my cat love me?" Many cat owners have asked themselves this question, feeling slightly apprehensive to find out the honest answer. But while the mystery of a cat's true feelings is likely to endure, we know that they do have a friendly, affectionate side. Felines might not win the dog's long-time title as "a human's best friend" anytime soon, but some cat breeds come pretty close. Whether you're looking for the friendliest cat breed you can bring into your life or you already have a lovely cat to come home to and want to see how they measure up against other feline friends, here are some of the most affectionate cat breeds. Abyssinian - the "You Only Live Once" cat

With so many cat breeds in the world today, have you ever wondered which one you'd be? Take our quiz here to find out which cat breed matches your personality. Many people don't realise that there are so many different breeds of cat. There's a huge amount to choose from and each have their own unique characteristics and personality traits. Some kitties are friendly and affectionate, while others are aloof cats that prefer spending time alone. There are even cats that act a little bit like dogs! Have you ever wondered what cat breed you are? Well now you can find out! Take our cat breed quiz below, add up your results as you go along and find out what cat breed you are at the end! 1. How do you feel about other people? a) They're great! b) I like people, as long as I'm the centre of attention. c) My family are the only people who matter. d) I don't really mind them. e) Eww, other people. 2. How would others describe you? a) Playful. b) Charming. c) Kind. d) Chilled. e) A loner. 3. Your friends want to hang out, what do you suggest? a) Let's party! b) Shopping, of course. c) I don't mind, I'll let someone else decide. d) Going for a walk somewhere in nature. e) Ugh, no thanks. I'll pass.

Discover some of the most amazing-looking cats and see what makes them so unique. These rare cat breeds might be hard to find, but they're a must-know for any cat lover. Cats are about the most familiar furry companions we have. After all, we've had thousands of years of co-habitation to get ourselves accustomed with every little quirk and different coat pattern of these lovely creatures. We recognise their sleek fur, the long tail or the pointy ears straight away. Their looks, no matter how distinguished they are, come as no surprise to us. Yet if we start to look closely into the huge feline family photo album, we will discover that not all kittens seem to have gotten the cat dress code memo. These are the rare cat breeds. For these felines fur seems to be optional, the familiar pointy ears just a cliché and the eye colour is a description not a shade. Thanks to selective breeding or just good old genetics, we have a bunch of unusual cat breeds we can admire and fall in love with. Here they are! Sphynx Their nearly hairless body has made this rare cat breed a superstar among kittens.

Marmalade, red, orange or ginger - whatever you want to call it, ginger cats are nothing less than extraordinary. Find out everything there is to know from what's responsible for the colouring of ginger cats to the cat breeds that come in this wonderful shade. It's no secret that ginger cats are among the most well-loved and that all who come into contact with them think there's something special about them. This may be due to the fact that they've played such cheeky characters on TV and film, including Shrek's Puss in Boots, Breakfast at Tiffany's Orangey and of course, who could forget Garfield? As they've made such an impact on us in the land of pop culture, we've found ourselves wanting to discover as much as possible about them and wondering if there are any specific ginger cat breeds. Keep reading to find out everything from the reasoning behind their ginger colouring, to the breeds which are more likely to come in this marmalade tone. What's responsible for the colouring of ginger cats? It may surprise you to know that there's quite a lot that goes into deciding if your cat will have red fur or not. There's actually a 'ginger gene' and it has a lot to do with inherited genes and chromosomes. According to The Spruce Pets, the ginger gene 'O', is responsible for producing phaeomelanin (the red pigment), and this pigment is so dominant it will mask all other colours. In order to produce your ginger cat, the gene needs to be carried to the 'X' chromosome - a male cat has one 'X' chromosome, whereas females have two. Additionally, this ginger gene comes in two variants: 'O' which produces red pigment and 'o' which doesn't. If the ginger cat is male and gets the 'O' type from their mother, they'll be ginger, however if they get 'o' they'll be calico or tortoiseshell instead. For females to be ginger they'll need the 'O' chromosome on both 'X' chromosomes, if they have 'Oo' instead, they'll be calico or ginger. Due to the fact females have so many more possible combinations, they're less likely to be ginger and as such only 20% are. A huge 80% of all ginger cats are male, as there are far less variables involved. Also, ginger males can come from red, calico and tortoiseshell mothers, whereas females need to have one fully red father and the mother will have to be red, calico or tortoiseshell. Are all ginger cats tabbies?

Here is some inspiration to help you find that perfect name for your new grey kitten. These are some of our favourite grey cat names. Is there a new grey cat about to join the family? Oh, the joys of having a fur ball meowing "hello" to you every day! But first things first. What are you going to call the lucky kitten? Just because grey is a rather sombre-looking colour it doesn't mean you have to settle for a dull name. Here are some of our favourite grey cat names. Whatever moniker you pick from the list below, it's guaranteed to fit a stunning grey kitty to a T. 1. Tom: the most famous grey cat name of all time Remember sitting mesmerised in front of the telly watching Jerry mercilessly tease Tom day in and day out? Now that you've got a Tom of your own, why not pay tribute to the "Tom and Jerry" cartoons that kept you entertained during childhood. Bring those memories back with this beloved grey cat name. 2. Dorian (Gray): the grey cat name for all the handsome kittens out there Dorian Gray's youthful beauty might just be the inspiration you need to come up with that cool grey cat name you are after. This famous character has the homonym for the colour grey in his last name after all - just perfect for that stunner kitty strutting their beautiful grey fur all around the house.

Find the perfect name for your ball of fur. We put together the finest selection of white cat names for you to choose from. Who can resist the soft, snowy coat of a pure white kitty? If you've already fallen for the pristine beauty of a white cat and getting ready to bring home the new ball of fur, you're probably seeking inspiration for someone to give you a name worthy of such a stunning addition to the family. Snowy and Snowball might be obvious choices, but there are tonnes of more unusual choices out there. That's why we've compiled a list of the top 10 white cat names, each name ready to spark that 'aha' moment once you finally find the perfect match. 1. Casper: the friendliest white cat nameIf your cat is the cuddly, loving kind, here is a white cat name with a friendly ring to it. And if they like to go exploring on their own, making themselves 'invisible' for hours, what other white cat name even comes close to this brilliant choice? Casper the friendly ghost has warmed hearts across generations and his name is only suitable for a cat ready to do just that all over again. 2. Frosty: is it the colour or the personalityFor those veritable feline ice queens that take a little time to warm to new people, Frosty is the white cat name you've been looking for. You can't go wrong with a name matching both the colour and the personality of your new companion at the same time. 3. Elsa: royal inspiration for an elegant kittenThere are some white kitties that exude royalty vibes. If yours is the one to effortlessly move around and truly own the house and everything in it, you need some royal inspiration from Frozen. Elsa the Disney princess of ice and snow is right up your cat's alley.4. Duchess: the classy white cat name Another Disney favourite is the classy white cat Duchess from the animated movie The Aristocats. For all those elegant, pampered felines out there, this is the white cat name to go for.Timeless and beautiful, Duchess is one of the all-time favourites. 5. Flower: a clever white cat nameIf you're game for a bit of word-play, why not go for a quirky white cat name well-loved by both cats and their owners. Flower (a homonym for 'flour') might just be the right fit. Start calling your cat by this name and if it makes sense to both of you, congratulations - you've got a companion that shares your sense of humour! 6. Boo: for Halloween-ready catsAnother idea from the witty category of white cat names, this is a short, snappy one but full of warmth and affection. For felines that like to sneak around before making a sudden appearance, Boo is just the right name a surprising white cat. As an extra bonus, Halloween will instantly become the favourite time of year for both of you - you'd better start looking for a matching ghost costume! 7. Khaleesi: the pop culture-inspired white cat nameGame of Thrones has already gone down in history as one of the best TV shows ever. So what if there is only one dragon queen? There is no one better to pull off such a cool name than a white cat. If you love it, go for it! 8. Dumbledore: capture the magic of a white kittyHere is another beloved white-haired character you can draw inspiration from. If you feel like your white cat can see right into your soul and has a wisdom beyond their years, this slick magic is worthy of a wizard's name. Dumbledore from the Harry Potter franchise might just be the one. 9. Bunny: the cutest white cat nameIf your white cat reminds you of the other white cuteness in the animal kingdom, who are we to stand in the way of a perfectly matched white cat name?Sure, you might raise a few eyebrows and a short moment of confusion when you ask friends to meet your Bunny and a cat pops up, but if this warm-hearted moniker totally fits their personality, they better get used to it! 10. Stormy: a personality match for your feline friendFor temperamental and dramatic cats with lots of personality, Stormy is the perfect name. Capturing all the sense of a flash of bright white lightning, this name is ideal for cats who move quickly throughout the house. We hope our ideas have given you plenty of inspiration for an awesome white cat name. If you still find it difficult to settle on one, our advice is try not to overthink it. Why not ask your kitten? Try out a few options, start calling them by a few different names and see which one they respond to. Soon enough they'll let you know what their favourite name is so you can finally start writing the caption to your first picture together. If you're thinking of getting a new cat, read our advice on adopting a cat and get our checklist on things you need for your new arrival.

Hairless cats have been around for an extremely long time, there’s even evidence of them dating back as far as the Aztec period. And then from the early 2000s, cats with no hair became very popular and many breeders set about developing new breeds, often created with the breed that’s considered to be the original hairless cat – the Sphynx. Hairless cat breeds are truly unique in appearance, but they also tend to be very affectionate and are known to climb under duvets and inside jumpers for warmth. If you’re thinking about bringing a beautifully bald cat into your home, you may be wondering about how to care for them and what breeds currently exist. Read on to find out all you need to know. Are hairless cats actually hairless? First things first, you may be wondering if hairless cats are actually completely hairless. Some cats can be totally bald, but it’s far more common for them to have soft, fine, down-like fur which makes them feel like velvet. This fur may be a fine coating all over, or it may be isolated to patches like their tail or between their toes. Interestingly, some kittens can be born with fur and then they may lose it as they grow up.

Snow-white fur that’s always soft to touch, big wonderful eyes and cute little meows that greet you every time you get home – having a white cat as a companion is one of life’s biggest joys. Many of these felines come with cool personalities, some of them serene and easy-going, others slightly more rambunctious and fun-loving. So, no matter how you imagine the ideal four-legged family member to be, you’ll find your perfect match in this group of stunning white fluffy cats. Here they come! 7 Amazing white cat breeds you’ll wish were yours

If you’re looking to bring a new four-legged friend into your home and love the thought of petting a soft coat but don’t want all the grooming requirements of a long-haired breed, a short-haired cat could be just what you’re after. Keep reading to discover how to care for short-haired cat breeds and learn all about our favourites and their unique personalities. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find your next furry best friend! Grooming short-haired cats Short-haired cat breeds have relatively easygrooming needsas their coat is much less prone to matting and many tend to do a pretty good job of grooming themselves. With that being said, we still recommend grooming them every week or so, to keep their fur and skin in tip-top condition and remove any dead hair which can cause those peskyhairballs. 11 short-haired cat breeds Now you know how to groom short-haired cats, check out our favourite 11 breeds below and find the purrrfect companion to add to your life.

Find the perfect name for your ball of fur. We put together the finest selection of white cat names for you to choose from. Who can resist the soft, snowy coat of a pure white kitty? If you've already fallen for the pristine beauty of a white cat and getting ready to bring home the new ball of fur, you're probably seeking inspiration for someone to give you a name worthy of such a stunning addition to the family. Snowy and Snowball might be obvious choices, but there are tonnes of more unusual choices out there. That's why we've compiled a list of the top 10 white cat names, each name ready to spark that 'aha' moment once you finally find the perfect match. 1. Casper: the friendliest white cat name If your cat is the cuddly, loving kind, here is a white cat name with a friendly ring to it. And if they like to go exploring on their own, making themselves 'invisible' for hours, what other white cat name even comes close to this brilliant choice? Casper the friendly ghost has warmed hearts across generations and his name is only suitable for a cat ready to do just that all over again. 2. Frosty: is it the colour or the personality For those veritable feline ice queens that take a little time to warm to new people, Frosty is the white cat name you've been looking for. You can't go wrong with a name matching both the colour and the personality of your new companion at the same time. 3. Elsa: royal inspiration for an elegant kitten There are some white kitties that exude royalty vibes. If yours is the one to effortlessly move around and truly own the house and everything in it, you need some royal inspiration from Frozen. Elsa the Disney princess of ice and snow is right up your cat's alley.