Black and white is always associated with black tie events and regal dinners with gents in suits and ladies in ball gowns.

What is a tuxedo cat? It doesn’t take a lot of thought to see why they’re called tuxedo cats. Named after men’s formal attire, tuxedo cat characteristics are quite unique.

These cats have a solid black coat with white fur patches all around their throat, chest, paws and belly areas.

Markings can also include a black mustache, which makes this gorgeous feline even more irresistibleת but the rarest of all and the most handsome one is the tuxedo kitty “wearing” a bow tie.

Referred to as “black ties”, these charming felines are believed to be lucky charms, especially in terms of wealth and good fortune.

Also Read: Most Popular Tuxedo Cat Names

Why are Black and White Cats Special?

Because of their good nature, they do well with other pets at home, even with cats’ rather common foes, better known as canines!

Oddly enough most tuxedo cats are almost dog-like, with their friendly nature, love for cuddling and the way they follow their humans around the house quite happily.

A tuxedo cat that lives indoors can live up to 15-20 years but a tux’ living outdoors might only make it to about five.

It is important to remember that tuxedo cats aren’t a breed in their own right, but rather categorized by their bi-color markings.

tuxie’ is generally nicer than other cats; they are smart, friendly, affectionate and more vocal. And much like Tabbies, Calicos, Tortoiseshell cats and Ginger cats they also seem to love their owners more compared to other felines.

Of course, we know coloring has absolutely nothing to do with the personality traits of a cat. But when it comes down to the “breed’s characteristics”, it seems the black and white cat has a friendlier nature.

Famous Tuxedo Cats

Some of the most famous tuxedo cats in history are of course Sylvester the Cat, from Looney Tunes’ Tweety and Sylvester’, Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat and Felix the Cat (from the 1920s). In T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, tuxedo cats are referred to by the writer as Jellicles, a name still used today.

Other famous tuxedos include Mr. Mistoffeles, the cat from the musical “Cats”, Bill Clinton’s cat Socks and Simon, a chubby tuxedo cat who was awarded a medal in WWII for protecting the soldiers’ limited food supplies aboard their warship in the middle of the ocean.

Personality and Temperament



According to many cat parents, and tuxedo cat lovers, these felines have an easy going temperament and are happy, relaxed and quite dog-like in terms of their personality traits.

Tuxedo kittens are born wearing their formal attire, looking as handsome as can be and even as kittens they are particularly friendly, easy going and more laid back.

Owned By a Tuxedo cat? Here Are a 16+ Facts That You’ll LOVE

Tuxedo cats are way more intelligent than regular cats, like 200% smarter. Tuxedo cats owned Beethoven, Sir Isaac Newton and Shakespeare (which may attest to their intelligence). Tuxies’ become invisible on the vernal or diurnal equinox, making them magical. Tuxedos are the best swimmers of all felines, but heaven help the human who tries to get them into water. Tuxies’ bring you luck. Apparently, a lot of lotto winners are owned by these dapper felines. The tuxedo cat is far more vocal than their counterparts and a lot more active too. They love to cuddle. Stan the tuxedo cat made headlines in 2012 during municipal elections. He was the mayoral candidate from Halifax, Canada, representing the Tuxedo Party’. President Clinton owned a tuxedo cat called Socks. Tuxedo cats are the only felines allowed in at performances of the metropolitan area because they’re always in black tie. More than 70% of all the cats seen in Egyptian royal tombs are tuxedo cats. Talk about lucky! A tuxedo named Sparky inherited over $6 million in 1998. Roderick, a tuxedo, is the only cat to climb Mt. Everest. Tuxedo kittens will open their eyes 24 hours before a regular cat. The mustached tuxedo is infamously called the “kitler”, while another variation, with white around the chin and nose, is called the masked tuxedo’. Their lifespan is 10-15 years

Tuxedos are without a doubt completely distinct from other black and white cat types. How rare are tuxedo cats?

Well, they are pretty hard to find so if you haven’t come across Tuxedo cats and you find one, savour the moment!