13 Fascinating Facts About Tuxedo Cats (With Pictures)

If you have a tuxedo cat in your home, chances are you often find yourself in complete amazement at many of the things they do. If you are thinking about purchasing a tuxedo cat, you may be interested in learning a little more about them to see if they are suitable for your home.

We’ve searched the internet and used our personal experiences to build a list of interesting facts about these cats to help you get an idea of what to expect. If you already own a tuxedo cat, keep reading to see how closely these facts line up with your pet.

The 13 Tuxedo Cat Facts

Tuxedo cats are often white and black, and their fur’s pattern makes it look like they are wearing a tuxedo. However, there are many variations to the coat, and it doesn’t always need to be black and white. It’s just the most common. Let’s look at 13 more facts that may interest you.

1. Tuxedo is not a breed.

The tuxedo cat is not a breed; it is a two-color pattern seen in many different cat species. Many people refer to the two-color coat as bi-colored or piebald, which means to have irregular patches of color. Any breed that produces multicolor cats can make a tuxedo cat.

2. Genetics create the tuxedo coat.

All cats start black, and their genes determine where to go from there. The most common gene creates a white color that makes the tuxedo coat. Other genes create the red, brown, and cinnamon colors often seen. The sex of the cat plays a part in the cat’s color, which is why the vast majority of tri-color, also called calico cats, are female.

3. Tuxedo cats develop quickly.

Many experts agree that the tuxedo cat matures faster than other cats, which means they stop being kittens a little sooner and become adult hunters. This fast maturing will help them in the wild, especially if they are astray, but it will leave owners wishing they could cling to the kitten in them a little longer.

4. Tuxedo cats are intelligent.

One reason tuxedo cat might mature more quickly than other cats is that they are often more intelligent. You will find that it learns more rapidly and will set traps and play games with any less intelligent cats you have. They may also set traps for you to get your attention or for a treat. It will also help your other cats learn faster.

5. Tuxedo cats are extra affectionate.

Many owners consider the tuxedo cat the most affectionate, with the possible exception of the orange tabby. Tuxedo cats love to sit on your lap, and they will often curl up behind your knee while you sleep. Their purr is also a little louder, especially when they are still kittens when you can sometimes hear it from the next room.

6. Tuxedo cats are easy to photograph.

The tuxedo cat’s sharp black and white lines make them extremely photogenic, and they stand out nicely from the background. Even with improper lighting and poor photography skills, it’s nearly impossible to get a bad picture.

7. No two tuxedo cats are identical.

Just like humans’ fingerprints, no two tuxedo cat coats are identical, which means your cat will be as unique as you are. There will always be a slight difference in the black and white ratio, and the patches might also be shaped differently from one cat to the next.

8. Egyptians worshipped tuxedo cats.

Most of us are familiar with Egypt’s fixation with cats, but less known is that as much as 70% of the cats found in artwork in pyramids and other sources are tuxedo cats, making them the most commonly depicted cat in ancient times. This fact proves that Egyptians didn’t just like cats; they liked tuxedo cats.

9. Tuxedo cats have a rich history.

Egypt isn’t the only place that you can find tuxedo cats. Many famous people have also owned them, including William Shakespeare, Beethoven, Sir Izaak Newton, and Bill Clinton. You can also find the in the Looney Tunes cartoons and a tuxedo cat is the famous Dr. Seuss character The Cat in the Hat. If the tuxedo cat is worthy of these famous names, certainly they are worthy of any household.

10.  For a time, the richest cat in the world was a Tuxedo cat.

It’s a little-known fact the richest cat in the world is a tuxedo cat. In 1998 a cat named Sparky’s owner died, leaving the cat a 6.8-million-dollar inheritance. This inheritance was the largest for a cat until 2011, when an older woman left her black cat 11 million. Leaving money to your pet is quite common, with one German Sheppard in control of 373 million dollars.

11. Tuxedo cats are explorers.

Many owners will attest that their tuxedo cat is an explorer, and you will often find them in the most remote and inaccessible areas of your home. In fact, the only known cat to reach the summit of Mount Everest, one of the most inaccessible places on earth, was a tuxedo cat.

12. Tuxedo Cat is a decorated war veteran.

A tuxedo cat named Simon became the only cat to earn a medal to become a decorated war veteran for his service during World War II. This cat had the extremely important job of protecting the British food supply from mice and other pests that might contaminate it. As his medal proves, he excelled at the task.

13. Tuxedo cats have run for office.

A tuxedo cat named Tuxedo Stan is famous for running for Mayor in Halifax, Canada. Tuxedo Stan was once a stray cat that ran for office to raise awareness of the number of feral cats that infested Halifax. His Facebook page attracted 2,300 fans in just a few months. All proceeds from the sale of buttons and pins went to help low-income families pay to spay and neuter their pets.

Summary

Tuxedo cats are wonderful pets, and not being a specific breed means you can get them with long hair or short hair. It can be a tiny Singapura that sits on your shoulder or a huge Maine Coon that takes up the whole couch. No matter what you choose, you’ll have an attractive and intelligent cat that will make a great companion.

We hope you have enjoyed reading over these interesting cat facts, and they have convinced you to acquire one for your home. If you know someone who owns or is considering owning one of these interesting animals, please share these fascinating facts about tuxedo cats on Facebook and Twitter.

Featured Image Credit: slidesl, Shutterstock