Cats have been existing on this planet for a long span of time. It is a familiar story about cats being considered as divine and religious in ancient Egypt for more than 3000 years. This article talks about one of the most popular kinds of cats that were worshipped in ancient Egypt: Tuxedo cats or also known with their beloved name “tuxies”. They claimed this identity because of their similar appearance to a men’s tuxedo. You can assume their appearance is as classy as a Tuxedo.
Tuxedo cats are not less than any celebrity around the globe. They have made several appearances in cartoons and movies. In addition to that, they hold a remarkable place in history too. Dive in the article to know more about the cats, their relation with history, how to take care of their basic needs, potential harmful allergies and some fun-facts about them that you will love to read.
Physical features and history of the cat
As the name suggests, tuxedo cats have an elegant appearance. It is a black and white colour cat, also known as a piebald or a form of bi-colour cat. Usually their bodies are black and their paws, throat and face have white patches. The paw pads can be pink or black. White vertical stripes are similar on their coats.
They resemble this white colour due to white spotting gene. As per science, it is believed that their genes do not multiply at a normal rate, hence they gain such patches on their body.
The spotting gene in cats produces shades of colours differently, It can be from grade 1 to 10 and 1 to 4. The lower the gene grade, more white patches will be found. For tuxedo cats, it is 1 to 4, which results in their white colour on their body. Almost every tuxedo you will meet has a varied pattern on its body.
There can be many varieties of bi colour cats but they do not have a tuxedo combination. As the kittens grow up, their body’s colour becomes noticeable and the patches are also clearly visible. They may not be very rare in terms of their physical traits and can be found all around the globe. They are also identified with various names like- Black mask cat, shorthair tuxedo, Tuxedo kitty, Moo cat.
Tuxedo cat’s body coat makes them act as a camouflage. They can hide themselves anywhere easily. This coat also gives them a stylish formal look and your cat can literally win the best dressed cat’s award.
There are many varieties of tuxedo theme in these cats, the most popular ones are- masked tuxedo that has white colour around its chin and nose, the second one is kitler which is famous for its moustache. They are found in equal numbers of both genders.
It is important to note that tuxedo is not a kind of breed of these cats and this pattern can be found in many breeds like- American shorthair, British shorthair, Maine coon, Turkish Angora, Turkish Van, Scottish Fold,Manx, Norwegian forest cat.
A fascinating fact about these cats is they do not need both their parents to have a tuxedo pattern on their coat. It is just a matter of genes for them.They can obtain their coat with one tuxedo parent also and even if there is no tuxedo parent, the baby can still have a tuxedo cat because of the genes.
Being from different varieties of breeds, their coats can be shaggy, fluffy, long haired or short haired. It is just the colour of their coat that defines their identity. Not only black and white coat cats but any cat with a grey and white colour combination coat can be identified as a tuxedo cat.
The white whiskers are a common sight in these cats. Majority of these cats will have white whiskers which give them an attractive look with their unique and fierce green, golden green, bluish green, yellowish, golden and brown coloured eyes.
Life span
Indoor Tuxedo cats live upto 10-15 years but if they are left outdoors, they can live only upto 5 years.They become fully developed in a span of 6 months. Their height goes around 9 to 10 inches. Unlike many cats, they are very adaptive and open their eyes completely after 24 hours from their birth. This proves that they are smarter when compared to other cats.
Tuxedo cats weigh according to their breed. Breeds such as american shorthair can weigh around 11lbs- 15 lbs while others can be around 15lbs or more. You can consult your vet to know the actual weight of your cat.
Personality Traits
As mentioned before, Tuxedo cats are ancient beings and this is why they are found with high intellect. This is maybe because they have come a long way through evolution and their level of understanding is outstanding.
Tuxedo cats are often known as passionate thinkers. They might look tiny, but have a brain full of smartness and wisdom. You can never estimate what goes inside the brain of a tuxedo cat. It is also amazing to know that these cats can solve single digit mathematical problems.
They will become your best cuddle buddies when you are feeling low at any point. Tuxedo cats can prove to be the best housemates for you. They just want your attention to their mealtimes and will always be at your side. These cats are quite conscious about their physical health and will naturally go away if you are sick.
Tuxedo cats are big fans of adventures. You can expect active participation from their side while playing. They are mostly packed with mischief and wander around the house freely. Dogs are well known for their loyalty, however, one of the best premium qualities of these cats is their loyalty. They will stay loyal to you like any pet dog.
Females are found to act more sophisticated than the males. Male cats are mostly friendly with everyone around them while females are selective in choosing their favorite human in the house. You might find these cats aggressive to a little extent.
Tuxedo cats have been in contact with humans from ancient times which has strengthened their bonds with them. They can often provide you with mental and emotional therapy with their warm snuggles. These cats, like other cats, love to relax a lot and are not frequent attention seekers.
Vocal tendency of these cats is found to be high. They will make you feel their presence in the house. Tuxedo cats are considered sources of wealth and well being in your life. It’s like having a lucky charm in your life. Many players own these cats to reserve some luck for winning. They come with all the perks and become your lovable companions.
You do not have to worry about your cat becoming familiar with guests at your house. Tuxedo cats are outgoing in nature and will greet your guests with respect and warmth. They are suitable for families with old age people, children.
They are not only friendly with humans but become much familiar with other pets too. To sump all their personality traits, tuxedo cats are –
- Friendly and interactive
- Exceptionally intelligent, smart
- Highly vocal
- Active and fun loving
- Absolutely Low maintenance
- Loyal and affectionate towards their owners
- Loves to relax and enjoy
Fun facts about Tuxedo cats
- Bill Clinton owned a tuxedo cat during his tenure of administration in the White house, named Socks.
- The well known cartoon for kids Looney Tunes, known as Sylvester was a tuxedo cat. Kid’s favourite Tom and Jerry’s, Tom is also a tuxedo cat.
- Tuxedo cats are popular as Felix cats after the character Felix which was created during 1920 in a silent film. It became a part of many cartoons and animated works. Felix has an all black appearance with white eyes and chin.
- These cats are excellent swimmers when compared with other cats, although they are not into swimming.
- As per the data, it is believed that the first ever cat to climb Mount Everest was a Tuxedo cat known as Roderick.
- Tuxedo cats have displayed their bravery and courage through the wars. During the Chinese civil war in 1949, a tuxedo cat named Simon accompanied the British Navy and was felicitated with a PDSA Dickin Medal.
- Tuxedo cats have an eminent presence in history too. Many renowned personalities like- Isac Newton, Beethoven and William Shakespeare have been known to enjoy the company of tuxedo cats.
- More than 70% of ancient Egypt history is full of Tuxedo cats. Cats were considered as royal and there is a lot of representation of the same in their artworks and ancient tombs. It was believed that they have some super magical powers which can also make them invisible.
Are these cats expensive?
Since there are many breeds of tuxedo cats, the price may differ accordingly. The common domestic breeds like american and british shorthairs can cost you around 100$ to 300$, while those from superior and predominant breeds such as Turkish angora and maine coon cat cost around 1000$ to 2000$.
Before you decide to bring a tuxedo kitten to your house, always visit the local shelters to check if any cat is looking for a family. Some people do not want to buy these black and white cats due to superstitions but these cats are a bundle of joy and will add a lot of value to your life.
An additional benefit of opting a shelter home is all the necessary vaccinations will be completed. Always choose a shelter that looks valid and has fulfilled all the necessary paperworks.
Let’s come back to the title of the article.
What is a hypoallergenic cat?
Being hypoallergenic means that the cats are less likely to cause any allergic reaction. This means that they will produce very less dander in their saliva or urine and will shed a smaller amount of fur.
The major types of cat allergens are-
- Danders
- Fel d1 protein in saliva
- Urine allergens
Danders are dead skin cells that animals shed and are considered as critical allergens. It can fall on the floor or float in the air.
Cat’s saliva can contain fel d1 protein, a major allergen that can harm people with high allergies. It is found much more in male cats and can react very quickly because it is airborne. The size of this protein is quite minute and can spread rapidly with air, resulting in severe damage to the lungs of a person.
Urine allergens are not as severe as fel d1 but they need to be taken care of with proper cleaning of the cat’s coat in regular intervals. Do not let them litter at any corner in the house to avoid allergens.
Are tuxedo cats hypoallergenic?
Like other cats, tuxedo cats also have the protein Fel d1 in their saliva which is an allergy causing allergen. While there are cats that might be less prone to allergies like- Russian blue, siberian, because of low allergen rate but it can not be fair to say that they are completely hypoallergenic.
All cats have a probability of being allergic. It is almost the same with any pet animal you have as no animal is hypoallergenic. Tuxedo cats have more chances of carrying saliva or urine allergens than danders.
Cats have a tendency to lick themselves for cleaning purposes, this may leave some saliva on their coat and in case of Tuxedo cats, you might have the protein on the coat, especially in the areas where cats tend to clean themselves more.
It depends on seasonal changes also when tuxedo cats can shed more fur. It is essential to maintain cleanliness and hygiene, especially when there are changes in temperature to avoid catching allergies. They can also shed because of poor diet or lack of grooming.
Basic care and grooming for Tuxedo cats
You do not have to follow a hard daily regime to take care of tuxedo cats. They just need some fundamental tips to keep them healthy.
- The coat of these cats is low maintenance. Brush their coat repeatedly to prevent tangles
- Trim their nails at a regular interval
- Keep them indoors as much as possible as they are not much suitable for outdoors.
- Engage them in playing with toys and other fun games. This will help in their physical and mental development. Buy them a lot of toys that will keep them busy.
- Clean their litter boxes regularly and spray disinfectant around the area.
- Provide them with a nice and comfortable bed for taking naps. They like to spend time in their favourite corner of the house.
How can you take care of allergies?
While no cat is absolutely hypoallergenic, there are certain ways which can help you to reduce the spread of allergies, if you are someone who has a weak immune system-
- Brush your cat’s coat with a good quality brush at least twice or thrice a week to reduce any allergens, release oils from skin and keep their skin healthy.
- Ensure to give them a bath every four to five weeks to moisturize their skin with a good cat shampoo. Do not bath them very frequently, otherwise their skin can become dry and form more danders. Their natural oils should not get washed away.
- Feed them with good quality cat food. This will also help them to maintain healthy skin and reduce dander formation.
- Always check that the cat is using the litter box properly and wash their toys regularly because they might contain saliva.
- As their saliva consists of fel d1 so try not to get licked by your cat.
- Keep the cat away from your dining table to prevent dander to fall in your food
- Although cats have their own cleaning process, it is necessary to clean them with cloth wipes to ensure the saliva does not stay on their coat. You can use this as a substitute if your cat is not very fond of bathing.
- Do not let them enter your bedroom or sit on your couch to avoid sticking of dander.
- Always clean your hands properly after holding or touching your cat to avoid allergens. The danders on their coat can touch your eyes or nose.
- Remember to wash your bedsheets and pillows regularly with an anti-allergy detergent.
- Install a good air cleaner so that you breathe allergy free air that is free from dander.
- Ensure to vacuum regularly in every corner of your house with a good cleaner that has a HEPA filter to avoid allergies.
You will have to surely take necessary steps to protect yourself from allergies. A large number of people in the world suffer from some kind of allergies and if not taken care of, they can become severe. You might feel some kind of itching or irritation around cats which may result in a red nose, sneezing or coughing.
Although there are some breeds of cats that are found to be suitable for people who are prone to allergies. These cats mostly have less fur on their body which produces less dander or are likely to shed less than other cats and their saliva contains less amount of fel d1 protein that causes allergies. Some of them are- sphynx, Cornish rex or devon rex, Oriental shorthair, javanese or Balinese, Russian blue, siberian.
Diet and nutrition
Choosing the right diet and nutrition for tuxedo cats is an essential task. It is always advisable to consult a vet before opting for a diet.
- It is appropriate to feed them in regular meals. The diet will depend on the age and size of the cat.
- Wet diet is the best while dry food can be used as snacks.
- You can also use some canned food for hydration.
Other health problems of tuxedo cats
There is nothing specific when it comes to health issues because they come from various breeds. They are healthy felines and the right care can help them live for a longer time. Here are some common health problem to be taken care of-
- Tuxedo cats are prone to cancer, Lymphoma is a common cancer problem which can be found in older cats. You might want to take your cat to the vet if you notice any lumps on the cat’s skin.
- Cats can also be prone to diabetes. Take care of their diet, it should not be in excess to avoid the issue of being overweight. Male cats are likely to suffer more from diabetes than the female ones.
- Leukemia virus is one major health concern among cats. If this virus is found in the blood, it can affect the immune system and make them vulnerable to blood cancer. Ensure to get a vaccine dose for your cat on time.
- Feline Immunodeficiency is spread from being in contact with a cat. If they engage in some kind of fight and bite each other, they may transmit the virus to each other. It is better to keep the cat indoors.
- Dental issues like gum decay are quite common among old cats.
- Parasites can grow inside their digestive system and cause serious issues. Make sure to take care of the worms.
Conclusion
Take care of regular vet visits for your cat and follow the right schedule of vaccination to prevent unwanted diseases. Keep them engaged in lots of exercises and physical activities for a healthy life. Remember to let them have adequate sleep and rest. Give them a diet rich in nutrients and pay attention to their grooming needs.
These are some of the basic steps that you can follow for your cat’s well being as well as to protect yourself from harmful allergies. While these furry creatures act as a wonderful pet, it is your responsibility to pamper and nurture them with the right care to let them live a long and quality life.
