Tuxedo Cats: Black and White Cats, Their Genes and Personality

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

Few cats look as dressed up as a tuxedo cat, with a sleek black coat, a crisp white shirtfront and perhaps white socks and a white muzzle. The look has made them popular mascots, internet stars and fictional favorites. It is also a case study in how a simple genetic switch can make a cat look elegant.

What is a tuxedo cat?

A tuxedo cat has a coat that is mostly black, with white on the chest, belly and paws, and sometimes a white blaze on the face, a white chin or a white spot on the nose. The pattern is called bicolor in cat fancy. It is not a breed. Tuxedos appear in domestic shorthairs, domestic longhairs and many breeds. See domestic shorthair and domestic longhair.

Cats with other bicolor combinations, such as gray and white, or orange and white, are not tuxedos in the strict sense. Some people use the term for any black-and-white cat, including those with more white than black, such as Van patterns, which have color mainly on the head and tail.

The genetics of white spotting

The white patches are caused by the white spotting gene, often written S. During development, pigment cells called melanocytes migrate from the spine to cover the body. The white spotting gene prevents some of them from reaching the furthest areas, including the belly, chest, paws and face, so the fur and skin there stay white. The more copies of the gene, the more white. Cats with one copy usually have limited white (low-grade bicolor, such as a tuxedo), while cats with two copies may have mostly white coats. See cat coat colors and patterns.

White spotting is independent of the black pigment, so a black cat with white spotting is a tuxedo, and a tabby with white spotting is a tabby-and-white. See black cats and tabby cats.

Personality: what do owners say?

Tuxedo owners often describe their cats as playful, social, confident and sometimes talkative. Some surveys show that owners attribute different traits to coats, but these are based on opinions, not controlled studies, and they may reflect expectations. A tuxedo is a pattern that appears in all kinds of cats, with all kinds of temperaments. Early handling, socialization and environment shape personality much more than color. See cat personality types and how to socialize a kitten.

Famous tuxedos

Tuxedo cats have been celebrated in cartoons, stories and politics, and the pattern is often a favorite of cat lovers. Their formal look makes them popular on social media. Because the pattern is so common, they are plentiful in shelters.

Care

Tuxedos need the same care as any cat.

• Diet. A balanced, measured diet. See how much should I feed my cat.
• Grooming. Brush weekly, more for longhairs. See how to brush a cat.
• Sun protection. Pale ears, noses and belly can burn. See cancer in cats.
• Black fur may fade. Black coats can turn rusty brown in strong sun.
• Vet care. See cat vaccination schedule.
• Enrichment. See indoor cat enrichment ideas.

Health

Coat pattern does not affect health. Cats with a lot of white, especially with blue eyes, may be deaf, but standard tuxedos with little white are not at higher risk. See white cats and deafness. Health depends on breed and ancestry.

Finding a tuxedo

Tuxedos are very common in shelters and rescues. Choose the cat with the personality that matches your home. See adopting a cat from a shelter and how to choose a kitten.

Tuxedo cats in shelters and homes

Because the white spotting gene is so common, bicolor cats are among the most frequent cats in shelters. That means a tuxedo is often an easy cat to find, both as a kitten and as an adult, and adult cats are a great choice for people who want to know the personality they are getting. Ask the staff how the cat behaves with visitors, children and other pets, and spend time with the cat in a quiet room. Some tuxedos have symmetrical markings, such as a white bib and four white paws, while others have a patchy or irregular look. Cats with a small white spot on the chest are sometimes called locket cats. Whatever the markings, keep photos up to date and consider a microchip so that a distinctive cat can always be identified if it gets lost.

When to see a vet

See a vet within a few days of adoption and whenever your cat seems unwell. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic.