Asking if tabby cats are easy to raise is, to some extent, like asking "Is life difficult?"—the answer is always relative, depending on your frame of reference, your expectations, and most importantly, your own preparedness.

The saying "tabby cats are easy to raise" is widely spread. Upon closer examination, how much truth is behind it, and how much is a beautification based on stereotypes? We need to dissect it thoroughly and analyze it carefully.

Conclusion first: For "certain types" of owners, tabby cats can indeed be "relatively" easy to raise. But for complete novices without psychological preparation or knowledge reserves, any cat, including tabby cats, can lead you through a "sweet calamity."

The foundation of the "easy to raise" myth: a gift from their "wild nature"?

Many people think tabby cats are easy to raise mainly based on the following impressions:

1. Robust physical constitution: This is one of the most notable tags of the tabby cat. As a native breed "shaped" by thousands of years of natural selection on Chinese soil (Yes, although CFA gives it the name "Dragon Li," the tabby cats on our own land have a very broad gene pool), they generally have strong adaptability to the environment and resistance. Compared to some purebred cats that may carry hereditary disease risks, tabby cats indeed provide some peace of mind in this regard. "Sturdy" and "not delicate" are how many describe them. The old saying "people born of a place are nurtured by its soil" applies to cats too; native breeds' adaptability to native environments is an advantage engraved in their DNA.
2. Strong independence: Tabby cats are often considered less "clingy" than some other breeds. They have their own little world and can entertain themselves. For office workers who need to be away from home for long hours, this seems like an advantage. You don't have to constantly worry about them being depressed at home alone; they might symbolically greet you when you get home, then continue what they were doing. This "ambivalent distance" is interpreted by some as "worry-free."
3. Full marks for hunting skills: This is both an advantage and a potential "trouble point." A strong hunting instinct means they are usually smart, quick to react, and very curious. If your home unfortunately has cockroaches or flying insects, tabby cats might be the most efficient "biological pest control experts."

Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? Hold on. Things are never that simple.

The flip side of the coin: the ignored "challenges"

The "easy to raise" label often covers up some important practical issues.

1. Independence does not mean no need for companionship: The independence of tabby cats is relative. They are indeed not as demanding of constant human attention as some cats, but that doesn't mean you can completely ignore their emotional needs. Prolonged neglect or insufficient interaction can also cause behavioral problems, such as excessive grooming, loss of appetite, or even aggression. They just express their needs in more "reserved" or "hardcore" ways.
2. High energy ≈ potential "destructive power": Excellent hunters are bound to be energetic. Especially as kittens and young adults, their liveliness might exceed your expectations. If you can't provide adequate exercise and environmental enrichment (like cat trees, interactive toys, food puzzles), that abundant energy may turn into an urge to "explore" your furniture. Sofas, curtains, toilet paper rolls… all can become objects for claw sharpening or pouncing practice. "Destruction" might not be their preferred option, but when bored looking for fun, that impulse is in their genes. Expecting them to be like a pillow you can squeeze anytime? Well, it depends on the "big boss's" mood and how close your relationship is.
3. Huge individual differences: "Tabby cat" is a broad concept behind which lies a large population not selectively bred overly by humans. This means their personality varies greatly. You might meet a docile, easy-going, peacefully aged tabby, or a highly vigilant "cool guy" who needs more time to build trust. You cannot expect every tabby cat to fit a particular "easy to raise" template. A cat taken from a street corner and one raised from childhood in a home environment may have wildly different personalities. Some foreign animal behavior studies also point out that early socialization experiences are crucial to kitty temperament, which applies to tabby cats as well.
4. Medical costs are not zero: "Sturdy" does not mean "invincible." Basic vaccinations, internal and external deworming, timely sterilization—these are responsibilities any responsible cat owner must bear. Illnesses such as common ringworm, gastroenteritis, urinary system issues require prompt veterinary care, and those expenses don't decrease just because the cat is tabby. Believing you can "relax" on medical care with tabby cats is wishful thinking and extremely irresponsible to the cat.

New to raising a tabby cat? You need this "clear-headed" guide

Alright, having poured some cold water, it’s not to discourage but to hope you can look more rationally. If you still long to own a tabby cat, as a novice, you need to prepare the following:

1. Self-assessment: Does your lifestyle match?

• Time investment: How much time can you spend daily playing and interacting with it? Even independent cats need quality companionship.
• Financial foundation: Cat food, litter, toys, scratching posts, vaccinations, deworming, sterilization, potential medical fees... These are ongoing expenses. Make sure you have a stable income to cover them. Making a simple yearly budget will give you more confidence.
• Living environment: The space doesn't need to be huge but should provide a safe and explorative environment. Windows must be secured; hazardous items stored properly. A cat tree or some high platforms can greatly satisfy their vertical exploration needs.
• Patience and tolerance: Can you accept shedding? Occasional "minor damage"? That they may not always stick to you? Building trust and affection takes time, especially for tabbies with stray backgrounds.

2. Preparation: Both material and knowledge

• Basic supplies: Cat bowls (ceramic or stainless steel, less likely to be tipped), cat food (choose nutritionally balanced commercial food, not human food), litter box and litter (choose according to cat preference and your cleaning habit), scratching boards/cat trees (extremely important! Guide them to where they should scratch), pet carrier (for vet visits or travel), some safe cat toys.
• Knowledge reserve: Understand basic cat habits, common health issues and signs, basic grooming skills (like brushing and nail clipping), how to do positive training (e.g., using scratching posts, adapting to carriers). Reading reliable cat care books or following expert educational sources is much more effective than hearsay.

3. The wisdom of "choosing a cat": Adoption over purchase, and pay attention to "chemistry" and "personality match"

• Prioritize adoption: Many rescue organizations or individuals have healthy, socialized tabby cats available for adoption. Adopting not only gives a little life a home but the rescuers usually understand the cat’s personality well, helping you find a better match.
• Focus on individual personality: Regardless of origin, spend time interacting and observing the cat's reactions. Is it curious and bold, or cautious and slow to warm up? Is it lively and active, or quiet and calm? Choose individuals that better fit your expectations and lifestyle rhythm, rather than just because it’s a tabby cat.

4. The critical period after arrival: Patiently build trust

• Give adjustment space: When the new cat arrives, place it first in a relatively quiet small space with hiding places (like a cardboard box or cat bed), let it decide when to come out and explore. Do not forcibly hold or chase it.
• Build positive associations: Approach with treats, gentle tone, slow movements. Help it associate your presence with pleasant things. Interactive toys like wand teasers are great ice-breakers, maintain a safe distance and let it enjoy the chase.
• Progress gradually: Don’t rush success. Some cats bond in days; others take weeks or months. Respect their pace.

In summary, tabby cats, as our native spirits, indeed carry a robust beauty of vitality. Saying they are "easy to raise" may be because physiologically, compared to some selectively bred cats, they better adapt to common environments with fewer "delicate" traits. But this does not mean you can be careless.

Raising any cat is a weighty responsibility. You need to invest time, money, energy, and more importantly, understanding and respect. The tabby cat's "ease of raising" is built on you understanding and meeting its basic needs as a cat (especially with a distinctive personality and vitality), resulting in a mutually rewarding state of independence and ease.

If you are prepared, willing to learn, adapt, and give, then a tabby cat may very well become your uniquely cool and cute "partner" in life. That bond and tacit understanding across species are far beyond what the two words "easy to raise" can express.