What Is A Tuxedo Cat?

Tuxedo cats are not a breed of cat or even a particular type of cat.

A Tuxedo cat is a bicolor cat with a particular pattern on its fur. Bicolor cats have two distinct different colors of fur – generally white and something else. Naturally a tuxedo cat is a formal black and white. The “tuxedo” in question is the one that the cat appears to be wearing. A black jacket that drapes over their backs, leaving a white chest and four white paws. Most tuxedo cats are also what is known as “Black Mask Cats” – which are bicolor cats that have black fur on much of their face and ears. This makes them look a little like they are wearing a Batman mask.

Tuxedo cat purists will tell you that a cat isn’t a true tuxedo if they have white fur anywhere other than their paws, chest, belly, throat and chin. Though, as they’re not a breed and won’t be entering any Cat Fancier competitions, being a stickler about the purity of your tuxedo cat’s pattern is probably not worth the time!

The most famous tuxedo cat is probably Mr. Mistoffelees, from the musical “Cats”. Though he is, of course, not actually a cat.