There’s nothing more exciting than expanding your furry family than with another set of four legs! As you probably know, cats aren’t known for being the most easygoing of animals, and sometimes certain breeds don’t get along with others. Do you have a tabby cat already, or are you planning on adding one to the mix?
Tabby cats get along with other cats splendidly. This is because of their sociable nature and plethora of positive personality traits, including friendliness, outgoingness, lovingness, and playfulness. These cats generally get along well with other cats, other pets, and small children.
Where exactly does the tabby cat sit on the spectrum of sociable cats? Never mind multi-cat homes, are tabby cats suitable for multi-pet households? What are the tabby cat’s most dominant personality traits? For the answers to all of these questions and even more, keep reading.
Are Tabby Cats Sociable Towards Other Cats?
Whether your tabby is a classic, spotted, ticked, mackerel, or patched tabby, one thing is all but guaranteed: tabby cats are friendly, loving, outgoing, happy-go-lucky, and oh-so sociable.
Since ‘tabby’ refers to the pattern on a cat’s fur and not a specific breed, it’s strange that so many tabby owners swear that their tabby cats have purrsonalities like no other cat. But, from a scientific perspective, the tabby gene could very well be linked to some of the pawsitive personality traits mentioned above.
The tabby gene can be present in pretty much any breed’s DNA, but the following breeds are specifically known to carry the tabby coloration gene AND have very friendly personalities:
- Abyssinian
- Maine Coon
- Ragdoll
- Devon Rex
- Siberian
- Exotic Shorthair
- Bengal
- Japanese Bobtail
- Somali
- Turkish Angora
- Oriental
- Norwegian Forest Cat
- Egyptian Mau
Are Tabby Cats Good for Multi-Cat and Multi-Pet Households?
Due to the general good-naturedness of tabby cats, they are an excellent choice for multi-cat households. Depending on the tabby breed in question, these cats generally get along with other cats regardless of their breed, age, or sex.
But tabby cats don’t just get along with other cats; they get along well with other pets in general. Tabby cats typically get along well with dogs, except for Egyptian Maus and Somali, who only tolerate their canine companions.
Feline Living even goes as far as to state that tabbies even get along with birds! The most pet-friendly cat breeds include:
- Abyssinian
- Bengal
- Cornish Rex
- Devon Rex
- European Burmese
- Japanese Bobtail
- Maine Coon
- Ragamuffin
Which Cat Breeds Are the Worst for Multi-Cat Households?
As you now know, tabby cats generally get along reasonably well with other cats, so they’re a fantastic option for multi-cat households. In saying that, there are breeds that get along better with other cats – and others that are strictly suited to single-cat households.
| Breed | Do They Get Along With Other Cats? |
| Siamese | No |
| American Wirehair | No |
| Singapura | No |
| Korat | No |
| Bombay | No |
| Scottish Fold | No |
| Birman | No |
Of course, the breeds listed in the above table are just a guideline. Despite having genes, markers, and general personality traits that are copy-paste in nature, no two cats are the same.
As everyone knows, cats are super unique and temperamental creatures. Because of the different breeds that can have the tabby gene, one tabby cat may have the complete opposite personality to another tabby cat.
Tabby Cat FAQs
When you’re thinking of welcoming a new pet into your home – and heart – it’s normal for questions to crop up. The next section of this article aims to answer most, if not all, of the questions you may have about bringing a new cat into the fold.
How Do I Introduce a New Cat to My Tabby?
When introducing a new cat to your tabby, or a new tabby to your cat, patience is key. The introduction process should take around two weeks in total and should follow this general guideline.
- When you first bring him or her home, keep the new cat separated from the existing cat in an acclimation room.
- Start familiarizing the two cats with the scent of the other by swapping their towels or blankets.
- Feed the two cats on either side of the door to the acclimation room – be sure to give both of them lots of extra special snacks during this time!
- Place the existing cat in the acclimation room and let the new cat explore the rest of the house so that they become even more familiar with each other’s scents.
- After two weeks, physically introduce the two cats by opening the door to the acclimation room and letting them explore each other’s spaces at will.
- Don’t rush things or try to force a best friend bond on them! The bonding process typically takes place over eight to twelve months – if at all.
Do Tabby Cats Get Along with Babies?
Thanks to their friendly nature and social personality, tabby cats make for fantastic additions to families with babies and small children in them. Tabby cats are great friends to little ones and will often adopt the role of a kid’s ‘childhood best friend’ with ease.
What Dogs Are the Most Cat-Friendly Breeds to Introduce to Tabby Cats?
Today, the old saying ‘fighting like cats and dogs is still strewn around in casual conversation because it’s true. Generally speaking, cats and dogs just don’t get along. In saying that, some dog breeds are more cat-friendly than others, being:
- Basset Hounds
- Collies
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- Labradors
- Pugs
Conversely, here are some pups that you want to keep away from your tabby:
- Australian Cattle Dogs
- Greyhounds
- Jack Russell Dogs
- Siberian Husky
- Weimaraner
Final Thoughts
And there you have it: everything you need to know about adding a tabby cat to your collection of cats or introducing a new cat to your tabby. Because tabby cats generally get along nicely with other cats, either of these scenarios should work out well.
Though they’re not a breed on their own, anyone who has ever owned a tabby cat will tell you that there is just something special about these cats, and they’ll confirm that they make the most purrfect of pals.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Film/Video/Media Studies, as well as an associates degree in Communications. I began producing videos and musical recordings nearly 15 years ago. I am a guitarist and bassist in Southwest MI and have been in a few different bands since 2009, and in 2012 I began building custom guitars and basses in my home workshop as well. When I’m home, I love spending time with my three pets (a dog, cat, and snake) and gardening in my backyard. I also like photographing wild birds, especially birds of prey.