Tuxedo Cat: Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

A tuxedo is not a type of cat breed; it refers to a hair color pattern. Tuxedo cats have a distinct black-and-white coloring that looks like formal men’s clothing. Both mixed-breed cats and some purebred cats, like the Maine Coon, Scottish Fold, and Manx, can have the tuxedo design. Because of this, a tuxedo cat can live for about 20 years, based on the breed.

A tuxedo cat has a mix of black and white fur. The most noticeable ones have a black body with a white chest and white paws. Sometimes, a black spot on the throat can look like a bow tie!

Find out more about tuxedo cats and what makes them unique.

Breed Overview

Other Names: Tuxie, Felix cat, Jellicle cat, piebald

Personality: Varies with breed

Weight: Up to 18 pounds, depending on breed

Length: Up to 36 inches, nose to tail, depending on breed

Coat Length: Short hair, long hair, or curly

Coat Colors: Black and white

Coat Patterns: Bicolor

Eye Color: Various shades of gold, green, or blue

Lifespan: Up to 20 years

Hypoallergenic: No (the sphynx and Devon rex breeds are less allergenic)

Origin: Ancient Egypt

Tuxedo Cat Characteristics

Tuxedo is a color pattern that can happen in many types of cats. The tuxedo pattern gets its name from the formal clothes that men wear, like tuxedos. (Here are some fancy names for tuxedo cats!)

Nothing is more fun than seeing a “tuxie,” as people like to call them, dressed in their best outfit. Some tuxedo cats also wear “spats,” which are white boots. This name comes from the word “spatterdash,” which is a cover for the top and ankle parts of some shoes.

There are other types of tuxedos, like the one with a white striped nose and the “masked tuxedo,” which has white around the chin and nose or white tips on the nose. Another version known as the “Kitler” has a white “mustache.”

Tuxedo cats come in many breeds and mixes, so their personalities can be very different, even though they all have the same color pattern. A cat’s personality is influenced by its genes and the place where it grew up. Tuxedo cats are usually friendly, fun, smart, and social. They get along well with people of all ages and other cats and pets.

History of the Tuxedo Cat

Cats have color genes that can make the suit design in the right mix. Tuxedo cats can have genes that make them black. They have a gene that causes white spots, hiding the black color in some areas of their body. It does this by stopping the color-producing melanocytes from moving to those places. The spotting gene creates various levels of white spots, ranging from 1 to 10. Tuxedo cats are rated between 1 and 4, with 1 being the lowest. A smaller number means less white is visible.

It’s unclear when this gene combination started showing up in cats, but it likely goes back to ancient Egypt since bicolor cats have been found in their graves. Tuxedo cats are found in many aspects of today’s pop culture. Some well-known two-colored cats are:

Felix the Cat was a figure made in the 1920s when silent films were popular. Felix appeared in cartoons, animations, and various products. Today, the Felix clock, with its long black tail moving side to side, is still a popular cat collector.

In T.S. Eliot’s 1939 poetry book, Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, a group of black-and-white cats that come out at night are called “Jellical” cats.

Sylvester the Cat from Looney Tunes is a well-known tuxedo cat. Sylvester has white cheeks, a long white area on his belly, white feet, and a white tip on his tail.

“The Cat in the Hat” is a book by Dr. Seuss that came out in 1957. It includes a talking cat wearing a suit.

Socks was a well-known tuxedo cat during Bill Clinton’s time in the White House. He was sometimes called the First Cat.

Tuxedo Cat Care

How you take care of a tuxedo cat will depend on its breed.

Indoor cats need a litter box in a peaceful spot. Make sure to empty and clean the box at least once a week. Using clumping litter and cleaning out the clumps every day can help keep things clean.

Like any cat, make sure to keep up with vet visits and vaccines to avoid health issues.

Exercise

Let your cat play with toys often, and provide safe spots for them to hide and relax. Cats love to sleep and take short naps, so make sure to give them a cozy bed and other comfy spots in your home where they can relax.

Grooming

You don’t need to treat a cat’s fur differently depending on its color pattern. Brushing your cat can help avoid tangles and may stop hairballs. Trim your cat’s nails every two to three weeks and give them a scratching post.

Common Health Problems

Tuxedo cats can belong to various breeds, and some types may be more likely to have certain health problems. The ASPCA lists several common cat diseases that you should know about for your cat:

Cancer is more common in older cats. Watch for lumps or any strange changes on your skin. Lymphoma is a common cancer in cats.

Diabetes is more common in overweight, male, and older cats.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is passed between cats when they fight and get deep bites. The best way to avoid problems is to keep your cat inside and away from fights with other cats.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) weakens a cat’s immune system, making them more likely to get blood cancer. There is a vaccine that can lower the chance.

Kidney disease is a common problem in older cats and can cause their kidneys to stop working. Some signs of kidney disease include drinking more water, going to the bathroom more often, losing weight, having reduced hunger, and puking. Various blood tests can check for kidney disease and catch it earlier than before. Talk to your vet about this test.

Hyperthyroidism is overactive thyroid glands are also highly common in cats. This disease can lead to weight loss, more frequent nasal sounds, extreme hunger, and sometimes even vomiting or diarrhea. A blood test can show if your cat has this problem.

Appearance

You can tell if a cat has a tuxedo pattern right from when it’s born. Kittens look like smaller versions of adult cats, and their color does not change as they grow.

These black-and-white animals come in various shapes and sizes, but they often look more elegant due to their neat tuxedo-like patterns.

Gray cats can have a two-colored pattern like tuxedo cats, but they are not usually seen as tuxedo cats.

Diet and Nutrition

Feed your tuxedo cat the same food as any other cat of that breed. Even if your cat looks fancy, it doesn’t need to eat expensive food like caviar. Wet food is usually seen as the best option for your cat, but it’s fine to give them dry food as a treat, too. Always make sure your cat has access to fresh, clean water.

Talk to your vet about your cat’s needs, especially if your cat is diabetic, overweight, or older.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Tuxedo Cat

Mixed-breed tuxedo cats are often found in adoption homes, but purebred tuxedo cats are usually available from breeders since they are less popular in shelters and fosters.

Visit the American Cat Fanciers’ Association (ACFA) breed database to find trustworthy breeders in the United States.

Types of Tuxedo Cat

The tuxedo design is not permitted in some breed rules, but it is recognized in the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) guidelines for certain cats:

American Curl

American Shorthair

British Shorthair

Cornish Rex

Devon Rex

Exotic Shorthair

LaPerm

Maine Coon

Munchkin

Norwegian Forest Cat

Oriental (Shorthair and Longhair)

Persian

Peterbald

Scottish Fold

Sphynx

Tuxedo Cat Overview

You might be searching for a brightly colored rescue cat, a certain breed that is black and white, or even a stray kitten that looks like it’s dressed up. No matter their background, you likely can’t help but love a tuxedo cat’s charm. Tuxedo cats can have short or long hair, be male or female, and have interesting personalities. One thing is clear: they are not ordinary.

Pros of Tuxedo Cats

• Charming pattern resembling a tuxedo
• Almost any cat can possess the pattern
• Several breed standards accept the pattern

Cons of Tuxedo Cats

• Certain breeds may be prone to specific health problems
• Cannot be bred for particular markings
• Personality traits vary

More Cat Breeds and Further Research

If you’re interested in other coat patterns, check out:

• Tabby
• Calico
• Tortoiseshell

Otherwise, check out our home page felinefactsfrenzy

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