The domestic short-haired mute tuxedo cat is not a breed in itself but a name given to a certain set of physical characteristics. Tuxedo cats are technically bicolor cats with piebald markings that resemble tuxedos. This unique coloration can be seen in long- and short-haired cats of many breeds. Tuxedo cats are synonymous with black and white coats, but some people also consider cats with orange and white or grey and white variations to be tuxedos. Typically, their bellies, chests and paws are white while the rest of their body is black, orange or grey. These patterns make it look like the cat is wearing a tuxedo, hence the name. A tuxedo cat's face is also likely to have white markings. Tuxedo cats are the socialites of the cat world and are often seen as more affectionate than other felines. They are famous in pop culture, with many famous cartoon cats being tuxedos, including the aforementioned Felix the Cat, Sylvester of Looney Tunes, and Tom of The Tom and Jerry Show.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Coat pattern | Tuxedo |
Coat colours | Black and white |
Eye colour | Various shades of gold, green or blue |
Weight | Up to 18 pounds |
Length | Up to 36 inches, nose to tail |
Coat length | Short hair, long hair, or curly |
Lifespan | Up to 20 years |
Hypoallergenic | No |
Origin | Ancient Egypt |
Intelligence | High |
Friendliness | High |
What You'll Learn
- Tuxedo cats are not a breed but a colour pattern
- Tuxedo cats are usually black and white but can also be grey and white, orange and white or tabby
- Tuxedo cats are not more likely to be male or female
- Tuxedo cats are not necessarily more intelligent than other cats
- Tuxedo cats are not more or less aggressive than other cats
Tuxedo cats are not a breed but a colour pattern
Tuxedo cats are not a breed, but a colour pattern. The tuxedo pattern is named after the attire human men wear for formal occasions. Tuxedo cats have a prominent bicolor pattern of stark black-and-white that is reminiscent of formal wear for men.
Tuxedo cats can be many different breeds, some of which are more prone to particular diseases and conditions. The ASPCA lists these common cat diseases as ones you will need to be aware of for any cat:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
- Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
- Kidney disease
- Hyperthyroidism
Tuxedo cats can be either male or female. They are synonymous with black and white coats, but some people also consider cats with orange and white or gray and white variations to be tuxedos.
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Tuxedo cats are usually black and white but can also be grey and white, orange and white or tabby
Tuxedo cats are not a breed but a colour pattern. While they are typically black and white, they can also be grey and white, orange and white, or tabby. Tuxedo cats are also known as tuxies, and they are distinguished by their bicolour coats that resemble traditional formal wear. Tuxedo cats can be male or female, and they can be long or short-haired.
Tuxedo cats are often one of, or a mix of, the following breeds:
- Maine Coon
- Turkish Angora
- American Shorthair
- British Shorthair
- Manx
- Scottish Fold
- Norwegian Forest Cat
- Oriental (Shorthair and Longhair)
- Ragdoll
Tuxedo cats are synonymous with black and white coats, but some people also consider cats with orange and white or grey and white variations to be tuxedos. Typically, their bellies, chests and paws are white while the rest of their body is black, orange or grey. These patterns make it look like the cat is wearing a tuxedo, hence the name. A tuxedo cat's face is also likely to have white markings.
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Tuxedo cats are not more likely to be male or female
Tuxedo cats are not a breed but a colour pattern, and can be found in many different breeds. Tuxedo cats can be either male or female, and are not more likely to be one or the other. Tuxedo cats are typically defined by their black and white coat, but can also be grey and white, orange and white, or tabby. They are often described as friendly, intelligent, and affectionate, but as they are not a breed, their personalities can vary.
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Tuxedo cats are not necessarily more intelligent than other cats
Tuxedo cats are not a distinct breed, and the term tuxedo refers to their coat colour or pattern, not their breed. Many cat breeds can produce kittens with this colour pattern, like Maine Coon, Turkish Angora, American Shorthair, etc. So, different personality traits, including intelligence, can vary depending on the breed. This makes it extremely challenging to design a method to measure the intelligence of cats that belong to different cat breeds.
However, people who live with more than one cat, and one of these cats is a tuxedo cat, claim that there is a visible difference. Compared to other cats, tuxedo cats are fast learners.
Tuxedo cats have been around since Ancient Egypt, they have had plenty of time to acclimate to humans while still developing unique personalities that can vary just as much as their coat markings.
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Tuxedo cats are not more or less aggressive than other cats
Tuxedo cats are not a breed in their own right but are defined by their distinct black and white bicoloured coats. Tuxedo cats can be one of, or a mix of, the following breeds: Maine Coon, Scottish fold, Manx, British Shorthair, American Shorthair, Turkish Angora, and many more.
Tuxedo cats are often described as friendly, playful, intelligent, and social. They are said to get along well with people of all ages and other pets. However, a study conducted in the UK found that tuxedo cats were the most likely to display aggression and were less likely to enjoy being handled by people unless it was on their own terms.
It is important to note that the UK study had a small sample size of only 1200 cat owners, and temperament in cats is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, upbringing, and individual personality, rather than coat colour. Every cat is unique, and what may be true of one tuxedo cat may not be true of another. Therefore, while tuxedo cats may be perceived as more aggressive than other cats, this is not necessarily the case for all tuxedo cats.
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Frequently asked questions
A tuxedo cat is not a specific breed but refers to the cat's pattern. Tuxedo cats typically display a solid black coat with white patches on their chest, belly, and paws.
No cat is completely hypoallergenic. However, people with allergies may find that they are less irritated by certain breeds that produce less dander and saliva, such as Sphynx and Devon Rex.
Tuxedo cats are not predominantly one sex. There is an equal mix of male and female tuxedo cats.
Tuxedo cats are not a specific breed, so it's challenging to determine their intelligence compared to other cats. However, many people believe that tuxedo cats are intelligent and develop faster than other cats.
Tuxedo cats and other bicolor cats are relatively common. The rarest bicolor pattern is cream and white.