7 Black and White Cat Coat Patterns You'll Spot in Homes

A true classic among bicolor cats, the tuxedo cat appears to be dressed for a formal event, with a mostly black body, white chest and white feet. Though often mistaken for a separate breed, tuxedos are actually found in mixed breed domestic cats across the board.

Also known as piebald cats, cow cats have irregular patches of black and white across their coat patterns.

Unlike the structured tuxedo look, cow cats show more varied white markings, often resulting from the white spotting gene, a genetic mutation responsible for different coat colors and patterns in cats and other animals.

The Maine Coon is a large, fluffy cat breed known for its dense coat and sociable personality. They can appear in many coat colors, including black and white.

Their dense coat and tufted ears make them one of the most popular breeds among families with other pets.

Elegant and sleek, the Oriental Shorthair can feature a bicolored coat, including black and white varieties. These cats typically have a silky coat, large ears and long, graceful tails.

They’re one of the black and white cat breeds recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association and are known for their affectionate nature.

With their signature folded ears, Scottish Folds are instantly recognizable. While they’re often associated with solid colors, they also come in bicolored cat variants, including the much-loved black and white combination. These fancy felines are especially popular in social media cat circles.

Most black and white cats you'll meet are likely mixed-breed cats. These kitties come in a variety of shapes and sizes; due to the variable expression of the white spotting gene, their white coat patterns can vary from minimal to nearly completely white.

They often show low grades of the white spotting pattern, particularly in kittens.

Though not exclusively black and white, tabby cats with white fur can exhibit stunning contrast. You might spot a striped tabby with a white chest or paws, merging the playful striping of tabbies with the elegance of white.

Pop culture gave us perhaps the most famous black and white kitty: Sylvester, the Looney Tunes legend. Known for chasing Tweety Bird and his persistent lisp, Sylvester is an iconic example of the tuxedo pattern and a reminder of how memorable these pets can be.

Black and white cats, whether from a specific breed or your local shelter, offer a mix of style and personality that’s hard to beat. Their markings may vary, but their charm is universal.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.