When it comes to cats, we are more familiar with Scottish Fold, Persian cat, orange cat, etc. Tabby cats and mackerel tabby cats are rarely seen in our daily lives because Xiao Li and Ah Hu look very similar, and people often confuse the two, even some experienced cat owners make mistakes. So today we will talk about the differences between Xiao Li and Ah Hu.

Ah Hu is an American short-haired cat, but Ah Hu’s fur can also be divided into long hair and short hair. The spotted pattern on Ah Hu is very beautiful and resembles the wild tabby pattern found in nature, so it is called a tabby spotted pattern. Ah Hu has a very continuous line pattern at the corner of the eyes, and there are ring-shaped patterns on the limbs, neck, and tail. The patterns on the body resemble the fishbone shapes they like to eat.

Ah Hu’s color is relatively limited, mostly brown tones. Occasionally, some mackerel tabby cats will have white fur on their bodies, but it is rare.

Ah Hu’s body size is just right—not too big or too small. Ah Hu’s chest is relatively broad, and the limbs and tail are moderate compared to other cats. The overall body shape of Ah Hu is very smooth and balanced. The fur on the mackerel tabby cat lies close to the body surface, without a fluffy feeling.

Xiao Li is a native Chinese cat and can be seen in many parts of China. Before the mackerel tabby cat appeared in the eyes of the Chinese people, the tabby cat was still quite easy to be recognized. Xiao Li’s fur includes both long and short hair (both existing on the back), with mackerel-like patterns, and has an M-shaped pattern mark on the head. Xiao Li’s eyes are mostly green or yellow-brown, and the shape of the eyes resembles the almonds this editor loves to eat.

Xiao Li's body is very good and robust. Xiao Li’s paws are big, and the tail is very powerful. The growth period of the tabby cat is a bit long; they need three years to truly mature, so we must carefully take care of the young Xiao Li.

Having said so much about the characteristics of mackerel tabby cats and tabby cats, you should be able to understand their differences. So when you go to the pet store to choose a cat, be sure to open your eyes wide and look carefully.