From sunlit windowsills to local shelters, grey-striped coats catch the eye and show up in many corners where people and cats meet. Whether you’re researching a new companion or just curious about feline variety, understanding which breeds commonly display grey tabby markings helps you spot patterns and trace origins.
There are 22 grey tabby cat breeds, ranging from Abyssinian to Turkish Angora. For each entry I list Scientific name,Origin,Tabby pattern (common) so you can compare heritage and typical markings — you’ll find below.
How can I tell if a cat is a true grey tabby breed or just a tabby-colored cat?
Look for consistent breed traits (body type, size, coat texture) and documented lineage; many mixed cats show tabby patterns without belonging to a specific breed. Visible signs like the classic “M” on the forehead and clear striping help identify tabby patterning, but pedigree papers or a DNA test are the most reliable ways to confirm breed.
Are grey tabby breeds more prone to specific health issues?
Color or pattern alone doesn’t dictate health, but individual breeds can have known genetic risks. Check the breed entry for origin and typical concerns, keep up with vet screenings, and focus on routine care—nutrition, dental checks, and weight management—to reduce common problems.
Grey Tabby Cat Breeds
| Breed | Scientific name | Origin | Tabby pattern (common) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Shorthair | Felis catus | Worldwide | Mackerel, classic, ticked; blue common |
| Domestic Longhair | Felis catus | Worldwide | Classic, mackerel, ticked; blue occurs frequently |
| American Shorthair | Felis catus | United States | Mackerel, classic; blue/grey tabby accepted and common |
| British Shorthair | Felis catus | United Kingdom | Classic, mackerel; blue tabby very common |
| Maine Coon | Felis catus | United States (Northeast) | Mackerel, classic; blue tabby commonly seen |
| Norwegian Forest Cat | Felis catus | Scandinavia | Mackerel, classic; blue/grey tabby common |
| Siberian | Felis catus | Russia | Mackerel, classic; blue/grey tabby common |
| Persian | Felis catus | Iran/United Kingdom (modern breed) | Classic, mackerel; blue tabby accepted and seen |
| Exotic Shorthair | Felis catus | United States | Classic, mackerel; blue tabby accepted |
| Scottish Fold | Felis catus | Scotland | Classic, mackerel; blue tabby common |
| Cornish Rex | Felis catus | United Kingdom | Mackerel, ticked; blue tabby occurs |
| Devon Rex | Felis catus | United Kingdom | Mackerel, ticked; blue tabby seen |
| Sphynx | Felis catus | Canada | Mackerel, classic, ticked markings visible on skin; blue occurs |
| Abyssinian | Felis catus | Ethiopia/Egyptian origin | Ticked (agouti); blue ticked exists |
| Somali | Felis catus | Somalia/East Africa origin (longhair Abyssinian) | Ticked; blue ticked occurs |
| Oriental Shorthair | Felis catus | United Kingdom (derived) | Mackerel, classic, ticked; blue tabby allowed |
| Turkish Angora | Felis catus | Turkey | Mackerel, classic, ticked; blue tabby occurs |
| Manx | Felis catus | Isle of Man | Mackerel, classic; blue tabby common |
| Egyptian Mau | Felis catus | Egypt | Spotted tabby; silver and grey tones common |
| Bengal | Felis catus | United States (hybrid origin) | Spotted, rosetted; blue/dilute spotted occurs |
| Japanese Bobtail | Felis catus | Japan | Mackerel, classic; blue tabby appears |
| American Curl | Felis catus | United States | Mackerel, classic; blue tabby occurs |
Images and Descriptions
Domestic Shorthair
Everyday shorthaired house cat variety, medium to large, friendly and adaptable. Coats range widely; grey/blue tabby is very common in mixed populations. Low grooming needs and varied temperaments make them popular family pets.
Domestic Longhair
Longhaired non‑pedigreed cats with varied sizes and personalities. Coat is fluffy and needs regular grooming. Grey/blue tabby patterns are often seen among domestic longhairs and are common in shelters and homes.
American Shorthair
Robust, medium to large cat with dense short coat. Calm, people‑friendly, and adaptable. American Shorthairs commonly display grey/blue tabby markings and are well known for classic silver and shaded tabby varieties.
British Shorthair
Stocky, round‑faced medium to large breed with plush coat. Gentle, placid temperament and moderate activity. Blue/grey tabby is a signature look for many British Shorthairs and is widely accepted by registries.
Maine Coon
Large, longhaired breed with tufted ears and bushy tail. Affectionate, sociable, and playful. Grey/blue tabby patterns are frequently seen in Maine Coons and often highlighted by their shaggy coat.
Norwegian Forest Cat
Large, muscular longhair with thick, weather‑resistant coat. Independent but friendly and playful. Grey/blue tabby patterns are commonly found and look striking against the dense double coat.
Siberian
Large, strong triple‑coated longhair bred for harsh climates. Affectionate, active, and good with families. Grey/blue tabby patterns appear often and are accepted in breed standards.
Persian
Long, luxurious coat, round face, medium to large size. Calm and lap‑loving but high grooming needs. Blue/grey tabby Persians occur regularly and are recognized by major registries.
Exotic Shorthair
Shorthaired Persian type: plush coat, medium to large, sweet temperament. Calm and affectionate with less grooming than Persians. Grey/blue tabby patterns are common, mirroring Persian color varieties.
Scottish Fold
Medium build, distinctive folded ears, soft dense coat. Calm, affectionate, and adaptable. Blue/grey tabby is a frequent and accepted coloration in Scottish Folds.
Cornish Rex
Slender, small to medium breed with short, curly coat. Playful, active, and people‑oriented. Grey/blue tabby patterns appear in Cornish Rex coats and are part of accepted color ranges.
Devon Rex
Small, wavy‑coated, large‑eared breed with lively, affectionate personality. Low‑shedding coat needs gentle care. Blue/grey tabby markings occur and give a soft, mottled appearance to their curly fur.
Sphynx
Hairless breed showing skin patterns where tabby markings appear as pigmentation. Medium size, extroverted and affectionate. Dilute/blue tabby patterns are visible on skin and accepted in registries.
Abyssinian
Medium, muscular shorthaired cat with distinctive ticked coat and playful, active temperament. Blue (dilute) Abyssinians exist and show the characteristic agouti ticking, appearing as greyish warm tabby tones.
Somali
Longhaired, fox‑tailed version of Abyssinian: medium, lively, and affectionate. The ticked pattern in dilute forms makes a grey/blue appearance possible and attractive.
Oriental Shorthair
Sleek, long‑bodied, medium weight with large ears. Vocal, social, and energetic. Oriental Shorthairs come in many colors; blue/grey tabby patterns are accepted and seen regularly.
Turkish Angora
Graceful, medium‑sized longhair with silky coat and playful, intelligent nature. Often white but many colors occur; grey/blue tabby is a recognized and not uncommon color.
Manx
Tailless or short‑tailed, medium to large, sturdy breed. Affectionate, playful, and adaptable. Blue/grey tabby patterns are frequently observed and accepted in Manx cats.
Egyptian Mau
Medium, muscular shorthaired cat famous for natural spotting. Agile and loyal with high energy. Silver and grey spotted tabby varieties give a striking grey appearance commonly associated with the breed.
Bengal
Athletic medium to large breed with wild look and high energy. Coat is short, sleek, often glittered. Blue or silver spotted Bengals occur though dilute colors are less common than brown/silver.
Japanese Bobtail
Slim, muscular with short or long coat and distinctive short “bobbed” tail. Playful and affectionate. Blue/grey tabby patterns are seen and accepted in breed coloring.
American Curl
Medium, soft‑coated cat with distinctive curled ears, gentle and people‑oriented. Coat types vary; blue/grey tabby markings are accepted and show up regularly in the breed.
