They say you should dress for success and these kitties took heed. Reportedly smarter and more advanced than other cats, the tuxedo cat is arguably the most cons will betently famous cat out there. Felix the cat, Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat, and Sylvester the cat of Looney Tunes fame are all tuxedos. Cartoons aside, tuxies have inherited more money than most people and have even gone to the top of Mount Everest!
These out-of-this-world tuxedo cats are a color pattern, not a breed. The bicolored sophisticated tuxies, as their fans call them, come in many different breeds with fur that’s long, short and everything in between. The common trait among them is their signature dark-over-white dress suit combination. Many tuxedos cats have additional gorgeous nuances to their coats, like blotches and mustaches, or other things to make you go “awwww.”
Tuxies have been loved and admired by some of the world’s top artists, musicians and politicians and are sure to be the purrfect addition to any family.
Personality
Though tuxie cats can be found in a variety of breeds, cat parents will tell you their sharp-dressing kitties share a few of the same characteristics. Unlike tortoiseshell’s feisty tortitude, tuxies supposedly have a laid-back, friendly alternative: “tuxietude.”
Tuxies are all cuddles and purrs, making friends easily with just about anyone. They love a good play date. They are sharp as a tack and hit life milestones before other cats-tuxie kittens open their eyes 24 hours sooner than other cats!
They also have love for their parents. In 1601, the tuxedo kitty Trixy even followed her cat dad to prison and waited out the sentence with him.
Despite this reputation, it’s important that each tuxedo cat be viewed as and appreciated for the unique, special individual they each are!
History
Ancient Egyptians held high reverence for cats and even portrayed many of their goddesses as cats. As it turns out, approximately 70 percent of the tomb illustrations, hieroglyphics and other artwork found throughout the ancient Egyptian world are tuxies!
But their legacy and influence didn’t stop there-in fact, the Egyptians just got it started.
In more recent history, a tuxedo cat joined the race for mayor. Though he didn’t win the seat, Tuxedo Stan did draw awareness to the problem of homeless cats in his city of Halifax, Canada.) He also helped secure a large grant from the city council to run a spay/neuter clinic.
Stan isn’t the only cat in the business of politics. Socks lived in The White House with the Clinton family during former president Bill Clinton’s term. Socks became so famous that he made it to the postage stamp of the country of Central African Republic and also had a cameo in a sitcom and cartoon strip.
The UK awarded their Dickin Medal to tuxie Simon due to his assistance to the British Royal Navy in 1949.
Henri, le Chat Noir, was a web series that starred the tuxedo Henri. One of his films has been named the best among cat videos by Roger Ebert, which is no easy feat considering that cats own the internet and their video clips are everywhere, continuously.
Sparky the tuxie received some million as an inheritance in 1998-no other cat has inherited that much (and neither have most humans!)
Some of the best, more creative brains in history enjoyed the company of the tuxedo. Beethoven, Isaac Newton and Shakespeare all are reported to have these dapper cats as pets.
Tuxedos have been celebrated across time, across continents and across cultures-and we suspect they will continue to enjoy a level of ftheme and prestige other cat types may never see.
Guess it’s true what they say: clothes make the…cat.
Physical Attributes
BODY
Believe it or not, not all black and white cats are tuxies and not all tuxies have to be black and white-color evened-unless you are a tuxedo cat purist.
The classic tuxie is mostly black with white on the underside. Some even have a little white on their faces or a “bowtie” black splotch on their chest. This general patterning of the black and white is what gives these cats their adorable tuxedo title. Some gray, orange, silver, or even tortocan beeshell cats are also called tuxedos by their doting cat-parents, if they possess they have this special jacket-like pattern with white.
COAT
So how did these cats get their bicolored coats? Old science said it started in the embryo. Supposedly, the cells that give kitties their fur pigments were “slow” and didn’t reach the embryo before it fully formed. More recent researchers have disputed this. It is now thought that the cells in charge of pigmentation move randomly during development and don’t follow any instructions for the ultimate fur color. Essentially, their multiplication does not happen at a predictable rate.
Because tuxies appear in a number of breeds, their fur can be long and silky, short and ruffled or anywhere in between! British Shorthair, Turkish Angora and Maine Coons (and much more breeds) could be tuxedo. They are also equally likely to be either male or female, with neither sex dominating in the tuxie sphere.
Their stylish suits also exude mystery. During an equinox, it’s said that tuxies seem to disappear because of their coloring. Some think this is some type of special tuxie magic!
Whether or not they are truly magical, tuxedo cats have been held in high esteem throughout the ages and will always be a great adoption choice for any family.
Disclaimer
Note: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, cats are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet.
Wondering about Toyger? Check it out on our next post!