Tuxedo Cats are the best!

Tuxedo cats are those awesome felines who have stark black and white markings resembling men's formal wear. No other cat is as dramatic as a tuxie dresssed in his bib and tucker. Some tuxies wear spats or white boots. They are the gentlemen of cat color patterns. There are also female tuxedo cats who have the same wonderful markings plus distinctive personality traits. 

People often ask " is a tuxedo cat a breed?" 

Definition 

Ok, so what exactly is a tuxedo cat? Is it a cat breed? Is it just a color pattern? 

The answer to the second question is no, tuxedo cats are not a breed. They just happen to have a very unique coat pattern and coloring. In fact, tuxedo cats are bio-color cats. They are true black and white felines beauties. This answers the third question. 

Now, the answer to the first question ( what is a tuxedo cat? ...for a cat to be a tuxedo cat, she must be bi-color and have the following characteristics: 

• The cat must have solid black throughout the entire body ( except for a few white patches). 
• The white patches must be on the chin, chest, belly and paws.
• The feline must have more black than white. 

Tuexedo cats look as if they're wearing a tuxedo. No questions with this beautiful cat of mine. 

                                                             photo by: LilysAdvice (my tuxedo feline)

It is important to note that not all black and white cats are tuxedos. There are some bi-color, black and white cats that are not tuxedos. Some of these cats, for examople, may have more than black, or be half black and half white, or solid white throughout their bodies and just a few small patches of black. These kitties are not considered tuxedos.

The genes of white spotting are more dominant, and easily masks the true color of the feline where white color occurs. Tuxedo cat have inherited the genes for solid color and a gene for white color spots. 

Bi-color Patterns

Other black-and -white bi-color coat patterns include the "masked cat" pattern ( also known as "mask-and-mantle" pattern). These felines seem to be wearing a black mask over a white and/or a black mantle on their backs. 

Another pattern is the "cow cat"  and like the name suggests, they look like cows. These cats don't have one big patch of solid black. Instead, they show small patches of black over white fur. 

Here are the most common pattern variations: 

• Cow patten. A predominantly white with black spots or patches on the torso.
• Van pattern. A white cat with black markngs on the head and tail only
• Mask-and mantle pattern. A cat with lack back, shoulders, and head, and a white underside.
• Cap and saddle pattern. A cat with black over the top of head, white shoulders, and a large black patch on the lower back, near the tail.
• Locket pattern. A black cat with one small white patch on the chest or tummy. 

See the bi-color pattern chart below for the differnt coat types. 

                                                                            photo by:thepurringtonpost.com

Tuxedo cats are not a breed, but they may occur in different cat breeds. The tuxedo patern occur equally in both long and short hair cats. Indeed, bi-color feline ( including the tuxedo pattern) occurs in several breeds, including the American Shorthair, British shorthair and Persian.

                                                                             photo by:thepurringtonpost.com

The first longhaired tuxedo cat seen in Western Europe were of Persian breed and they arrived some time in the 19th century. Back then, they ejoyed a great popularity. Persian tuxedo have longer, thicker fur, fluffy undercoat, immense tails, and round faces. By the end of the 19th century, they were among the most wanted pets, attracting the attention of many cat lovers worldwide. However, their fame come to fade in the 20th century due to new longhars became common favorites. 

  photo by: LilysAdvice - Lily's brother.

Purr-sonality 

Tuxedo cats have their own distinct personalites. They claim areas of house for their own and will often drag a blanket and toys to their special spot. They are spunky, care for their owners, and very affectionate. 

When it comes to personality, many tuxedo cat owners comment that their cats are almost dog-like in nature. These good-natured felines are friendly and affectionate- they've even been known to get along well with other pets               (including their arch-nemesis, better known as the canine).

Tuxedo cats are more intelligent than regular cats. There may be an intelligence difference of as much as 200% between tuxedo cats and a regular cat. A 200% intelligence margin is a statistic thrown around by tuxedo cat owners. 

Lily is highly intellingent I believe she can read my mind. There's zero chance of out smarting her. 

ADOPT  DON"T SHOP:  There are endless benefits to following the credo  "adopt, don't shop" when it comes to taking a dog or cat --- it cost less, the dog is more likely to be trained, less likely to have health issues, you'll have bragging rights that you adopted your cat or dog , and so much more. 

Adopting from a shelter helps weaken the pet overpopulation cycle. Each year 8 to 12 milllion dogs,cats, puppies and kittens are euthanized because there are simplu not enough homes for them. You help stop cruelty in mass breeding facilities. 

I volunteered at the Humane Society that's where I fell in love with Lily. I am the proud owner of a cat named Lily Moon.