Tuxedo Maine Coon: Info, Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits

The Maine Coon is a popular breed in the U.S. and can come in many different colors and patterns, including the tuxedo marking. A Tuxedo Maine Coon has an adorably dapper and refined appearance that matches their generally gentle personality.

Fortunately, these sophisticated felines are relatively easy to find either at your local animal adoption center or through a breeder. They tend to make wonderful companion pets and housemates. Here’s all you need to know about these cats if you’re interested in caring for one.

Breed Overview

Tuxedo Maine Coons aren’t a distinct type of Maine Coon. They just have a bi-colored coat pattern. So, you can usually expect them to possess the physical features and temperaments aligned with the breed standard.

This breed is known for their easygoing nature and affectionate personality. So, even though they’re quite common, there’s no such thing as too many Tuxedo Maine Coons in the world!

Tuxedo Maine Coon Characteristics

Tuxedo Maine Coon Kittens

Tuxedo Maine Coon kittens are typically bundles of energy. They tend to have a natural curiosity and usually won’t turn down a play session. They’re also known to be affectionate and will grow strong bonds with their family members.

When it comes to finding a Tuxedo Maine Coon kitten, you can either choose to purchase one from a breeder or find one at an adoption center. The Maine Coon is a popular and common breed all throughout the U.S., so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding one in an adoption center. However, there’s no guarantee that you’ll find a Tuxedo Maine Coon kitten because this breed can have a wide variety of colors and patterns.

If you choose to find a Tuxedo Maine Coon kitten through a breeder, make sure to work with someone who’s reputable, trustworthy, and clearly passionate, knowledgeable, and caring about their cats. You can start by looking through the American Cat Fanciers’ Association’s breeder directory.¹ Keep in mind that Tuxedo Maine Coons aren’t that rare, so their prices shouldn’t be significantly higher than Maine Coons with other coat colors and patterns.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Tuxedo Maine Coon

The Tuxedo Maine Coon is the perfect combination of gentle and playful. They’re fairly athletic and enjoy playing games and chasing lasers or cat toys. At the same time, they can be a lap cat and perfectly content with lounging and sunbathing in the afternoon.

While Tuxedo Maine Coons can be independent, they also tend to grow attached to their owners and show strong loyalty. So, they don’t usually do well being left home alone for long hours every day.

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

Tuxedo Maine Coons are known as gentle giants and often do well living with families with children. They have a playful side to them and often develop strong bonds with their family members. They are also known to be patient with children and rarely show aggression. However, children should still learn how to interact and handle felines appropriately and respectfully.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Tuxedo Maine Coons are relatively relaxed and aren’t too picky about their housemates. With proper socialization, they can learn to live harmoniously with dogs and a couple of other cats. However, since they were originally bred to be mousers, they tend to have a strong prey drive. So, they may not be able to resist the urge to prey on smaller animals like birds, hamsters, and fish. Prospective owners must be aware that there’s no guarantee that their Tuxedo Maine Coons will learn to leave smaller pets alone, so they should never be left unsupervised.

Things to Know When Owning a Tuxedo Maine Coon

Food & Diet Requirements 🐡

Tuxedo Maine Coons aren’t known to be picky, so they can enjoy eating different kinds of cat food. Since they’re large and prone to hip and joint issues like hip dysplasia, they can benefit from eating diets that contain fish oil, glucosamine, or an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory blend.

These cats also have long, luxurious fur. Along with proper grooming, feeding them certain foods can help maintain their coat health. Fish oil is a common ingredient in cat food that nourishes and moisturizes the coat.

Exercise 🐈

Tuxedo Maine Coons are quite playful and agile, despite their large size. Adults need at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, while younger kitties may have more energy to expend. These cats are also highly intelligent and need daily mental stimulation and enrichment activities. They’ll appreciate playing with cat puzzles or treat-dispensing toys.

Training 🧶

In general, Maine Coons are good fits for first-time cat owners because they’re relatively easy to train and have gentle temperaments. Some can even enjoy learning new tricks. Many also don’t mind living with other pets. With early socialization, they can usually live peacefully with other dogs or cats in the home. However, since they tend to have a strong prey drive, they may not ever be fully trusted to be in the same room as smaller pets like smaller mammals, fish, and birds.

Grooming ✂️

Tuxedo Maine Coons require more grooming than short-haired cats. Their long coats are prone to tangling, so they require regular brushing to prevent mats and tangles. They can also benefit from monthly baths. They don’t really require anything more frequent, and too many baths can end up drying out and irritating their skin and coat.

Health and Conditions 🏥

In general, the Maine Coon is a relatively healthy breed and doesn’t have too many genetic health issues. However, there are some conditions that they’re predisposed to. Here are health concerns that you may see in Tuxedo Maine Coons.

Male vs. Female

Male Tuxedo Maine Coons are often larger than females. However, some females can still be quite big. Other than size, there aren’t consistent distinguishable traits between male and female Tuxedo Maine Coons. There are some claims that males are more playful and females are more reserved. However, a cat’s personality isn’t determined by their sex. Rather, personality can be attributed to a wide variety of factors, such as the owner’s behaviors and the environment that the cat grows up in.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Tuxedo Maine Coon

1. There’s no correlation between the tuxedo pattern and personality.

There’s a belief that tuxedo cats have a certain set of personality traits. However, there isn’t any sufficient evidence that the gene that affects the tuxedo pattern is also connected to temperament. It’s more likely that your cat’s personality is attributed to their breed or affected by their environment.

2. Tuxedo Maine Coons have water-resistant coats.

Many Tuxedo Maine Coons break the stereotype of cats hating water. It’s fairly common for these felines to show curiosity and interest in water and can even learn to swim. Part of the reason they may not mind water as much as most other cat breeds is that they have water-resistant coats. They’re also better at handling colder temperatures, since their coats keep water out and help them retain heat.

3. There are several famous Tuxedo Maine Coons.

Tuxedo cats are often depicted in cartoons and picture books. It’s possible that Sylvester the Cat from Looney Tunes is a Tuxedo Maine Coon due to his long hair and large size. Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat may also be a Tuxedo Maine Coon.

Final Thoughts

Tuxedo Maine Coons are charming and affectionate cats. They’re also fairly adaptable and generally good with children, so they usually become beloved pets for people of many different kinds of lifestyles. Just keep in mind that these cats may not act needy while you’re at home, but they still grow strong bonds with their families. Therefore, they don’t do well living in homes where they’ll be by themselves for many hours. Fortunately, Tuxedo Maine Coons make wonderful companions, so you just might find yourself wanting to spend as much time with them as possible!

Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock