Torbies are beautiful-looking cats, but before adopting one it’s advisable to understand what a torbie cat personality is like.
Cats are individuals, so their personalities will always vary, but there are also some personality traits that certain breeds have.
When you’re looking to bring home any pet, you should always make sure their personality is a fit with your home life the best you can.
What Is a Torbie Cat?
A torbie is a cat that has the coloration of a tabby, but with patches of red or orange.
They are also sometimes called tortoiseshell tabbies, striped stories and patched tortie or tabby.
The term “torbie” is actually a combination of “tortoiseshell” and “tabby,”
This makes sense when you see one of these lovely cats and know what kinds of coat colors and patterns tortoiseshell and tabby acts have.
A torbie typically has the classic “M” on its forehead, and stripes on its legs, tail, and face.
Their base color is usually black or gray, with patches of red or orange.
To further complicate things, there are four different types of torbies: mackerel, classic, spotted, and ticked.
- Mackerel torbies have very thin stripes that run vertically down their sides.
- Classic torbies have swirls in their fur instead of stripes.
- Spotted torbies have large spots all over their coats.
- Ticked torbies have a lighter-colored base with darker ticking throughout their fur.
As you can see, identifying exactly what type of tortie you have can be quite the challenge sometimes!
Related – Caliby, Calico, Tortoiseshell, Tortie, Tortico & Torbie differences explained!
What Is the Personality of a Torbie Cat?
First of all, keep in mind that a torbie cat is not a breed, the word ‘torbie’ refers to their coat pattern, just as the word ‘tabby’ does, too.
That said, torbie owners and enthusiasts will tell you that torbies have their own personality traits.
First and foremost, everyone says that torbies are very active cats.
They love to run and play, and they are always up for a good game of chase.
If you’re looking for a lazy lap cat, a torbie is probably not the right breed for you.
They are also very curious cats, and they love to explore their surroundings.
If you have a torbie, it’s important to make sure that your home is safe and cat-proofed, as they will likely try to climb on everything and get into everything.
Torbies are also very vocal cats.
They love to meow and chat with their humans, and they will let you know when they want your attention.
If you’re looking for a quiet cat, a torbie is again probably not the right breed for you.
All in all, torbies are loving, friendly, and playful cats.
If you’re looking for a new addition to your family, an active, fun, personable, cat with a unique and stunning coat sounds like the perfect fit to me!
Are Torbie Cats Good Pets?
Absolutely! Torbie cats make great pets for the right families.
If you have an active household and you’re looking for a cat that will be your new best friend, a torbie is a great choice.
Just remember that they need plenty of space to run and play, so if you live in a small apartment, a torbie might not be the right fit for you.
Be sure to do your research before you adopt one, torbies come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and can be various breeds – not just British shorthairs.
Make sure that you are prepared to provide everything your new cat needs to thrive based on their individual needs.
What Breed Is a Torbie?
As we mentioned before, a torbie is not a breed of cat, but rather a coat pattern.
This means that a lot of different breeds of cats can have a torbie coat.
The most popular type of torbie is probably the domestic shorthair, as they are the most common type of house cat.
However, you can also find torbie British shorthairs, Maine coons, Persians, and even Siamese cats.
It really all comes down to personal preference when it comes to picking the right torbie for you and your family.
Related – Here is when tabby cats stop growing and whether they’re male or female!
Are Torbie Cats Rare?
While they are not amongst the most popular types of cat, torbie cats are not rare.
As we mentioned before, because a torbie is not a breed, but rather a coat pattern, you can find them in all sorts of different shapes and sizes.
The best way to adopt a torbie cat is to visit your local shelter or rescue group and see if they have any in need of a forever home.
You can also check online classified ads. I’ve found some wonderful cats by chance just browsing the classifieds before.
Are Torbie Cats Hypoallergenic?
You have to be careful when trying to find a hypoallergenic cat as there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic cat.
All cats produce the protein Fel d, which is what triggers the allergic response in people with allergies.
However, some cats produce less of this protein than others and generally speaking, torbie cats are somewhere in the middle.
Therefore they are not hypoallergenic, so if you have allergies and you had your heart set on getting a torbie, I’m really sorry.
However, as I said, all cats produce different amounts of the Fel d protein that causes allergic reactions, so you never know.
If you can visit a torbie and spend time with it before deciding if you’re going to adopt it, that’s the best way to know for sure if they set off your allergies.
You never know!
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Image credits – Photo by Tengyart on Unsplash
