Some of the cutest cats in the world have a bicolor pattern that owners lovingly refer to as a tuxie. Tuxedo cats come with a bicolor pattern, and most people think of black and white. This gives off the appearance of the cat wearing a miniature tuxedo, and that’s where the cat gets its name.
But while there’s no denying how cute these cats are, the truth is that they’re not all that rare. So, what else makes a tuxedo cat special and how much should you spend if you want one? We’ve answered those questions and more for you here.
Are Tuxedo Cats Rare?
While there are some extremely rare types of cats out there, the tuxedo cat isn’t one of them. The tuxedo cat is relatively common, and you can find tuxedo cats in every breed.
Tuxedo cats can be male and female, and you can breed specifically for tuxedo cats. However, if you’re looking for a “genuine” black and white tuxedo cat, it is the rarest bicolor pattern for cats.
But even with this distinction, it’s not all that hard to find a black and white tuxedo cat if that’s what you want. Common cat breeds that have a tuxedo cat coloration include the Domestic Shorthair, the American Shorthair, the British Shorthair, and the Maine Coon.
What Is a Tuxedo Cat?
The tuxedo cat, also known as a piebald cat, is simply a cat with a bicolor design. One of the most surprising tuxedo cat facts is that a cat doesn’t need to have a black and white coloring to be a tuxedo cat, even though that’s what really gets you thinking about a tuxedo.
It’s an area where some people still quibble a bit, but many people consider orange and white or gray and white a variation of the tuxedo cat. Others will only recognize black and white cats as tuxedo cats.
What’s Different About Tuxedo Cats?
As it turns out, tuxedo cats aren’t all that much different than other cat breeds out there. The only thing that’s different about a tuxedo cat is their bicolor appearance.
However, tuxedo cats come in all breeds and sizes, come equally in both genders, have the same average lifespan as other cats, and are just as smart as other cats. If you like the way a tuxedo cat looks, that’s great, but they’re just like every other cat on the block!
How Expensive Are Tuxedo Cats?
If you’re looking to bring a tuxedo cat home, you’re in luck, typically tuxedo cats are not any more expensive than any other cat of a similar breed and pedigree. But since many tuxedo cats don’t meet the Cat Fanciers Association’s breed standard simply because of the bicolor design, you can often find tuxedo cats for extremely affordable prices.
In this regard, it’s not that the Cat Fanciers Association doesn’t recognize the tuxedo coloring, because they do, it’s just that they don’t recognize the coloring for every breed.
With that in mind, if you’re looking for a tuxedo cat, you shouldn’t need to spend a ton, so don’t think you need to overpay to get one.
Final Thoughts
While tuxedo cats might not be all that rare, that doesn’t make them any less cute. There’s a reason so many people fawn over tuxedo cats, and if you like the way they look, there’s no reason you can’t get one for yourself. And since they’re not all that rare, you shouldn’t need to spend an arm and a leg to get one!
Featured Image Credit: Bettina Calder, Shutterstock
