Pixie-bobCharacteristics, history, behaviour and care
Pixie-bob cat. · Simone Johnsson / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0). Cropped and resized.
The Pixie-bob is an American breed with a lynx-like look: a tabby coat with black spots, a short tail, a pear-shaped head and, often, extra toes on its paws (polydactyly). It was first said to have American bobcat blood, but DNA tests found none, so it is considered a domestic cat. It is intelligent, sociable and active; Canadians call it “a dog in a cat's disguise”.
Quick facts
| Common name | Pixie-bob |
| Scientific name | Felis catus |
| Country of origin | USA (Cascade Mountains area, Washington State) |
| Official recognition | Not recognised by FIFe; TICA (championship since 1998), ACFA |
| Lifespan | We found no data for the breed; pet cats live about 13 years on average |
| Weight | Usually under 5 kg; males can reach 9 kg (French Wikipedia) |
| Size | Medium to large |
| Body type | Muscular, heavy-boned; grows until 4 years |
| Coat type | Short (a semi-long variety also exists) |
| Common colours | Tabby with black spots, with reddish, apricot and peach tones |
| Eye colour | Green or gold (blue in kittens); triangular in shape |
| Activity level | High |
| Temperament | Intelligent, sociable, bold, active |
| Good with children | Accepts children well |
| Good with other pets | Enjoys playing with other animals |
| Genetic predispositions | No inbreeding problems; rarely cardiomyopathy, difficult births, cryptorchidism |
- Primary category:Cat breeds
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History and origin
In the spring of 1985, Carol Ann Brewer bought, near Mount Baker, a male with a spotted coat, a short tail and extra toes. In 1986 she rescued another male, Keba, very large and short-tailed, said to be the son of a bobcat. Keba mated with the neighbours' cat, and kittens were born in April 1986. Brewer kept a female, Pixie, who became the ancestor of the breed. She then added 23 cats from the Cascade Mountains that she believed were natural hybrids.
DNA tests reported in 1996 found no bobcat genes. TICA accepted the breed at shows in 1993 and gave it championship status in 1998.
How the breed developed
- 1985 – Carol Ann Brewer finds the first short-tailed male with extra toes.
- April 1986 – Pixie, the ancestor of the breed, is born.
- 1993 – accepted at TICA shows.
- 1996 – DNA tests find no bobcat genes.
- 1998 – championship status at TICA.
At a glance: who is it right for?
- Anyone who wants a “dog-like” cat. It follows you around the house, fetches a ball and walks on a lead.
- Families with children and other pets. It is sociable and bold.
- Homes with space. It is active and can be fairly large.
- Anyone who wants a “quiet” cat. It chirps and grumbles, but rarely meows.
Physical characteristics
It is usually a little larger than an ordinary cat, but rarely over 5 kg; only a few breeders have larger, heavy-boned cats. Males are larger. It keeps growing until 4 years, not one year as in most breeds.
General appearance
The head is pear-shaped and is considered the most important feature. The brows are thick and the eyes triangular; kittens have blue eyes, which turn green or gold. The ears have dark tips and a lot of hair, the lips are black, and the fur around the eyes is white. Many have extra toes.
| Feature | Pixie-bob |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium to large |
| Weight | Usually under 5 kg |
| Head | Pear-shaped |
| Eyes | Triangular, green or gold |
| Tail | Short |
| Paws | Often with extra toes |
| Coat | Short, with black spots |
The coat is tabby with black spots, like a lynx's, with reddish, apricot and peach tones. The paw pads are usually black. Most have short hair, but there is also a longhaired variety.
Related breeds and how to tell them apart
The American Bobtail also has a short tail and a wild look, but comes from different cats. There is no proven link with the American bobcat.
Behaviour and temperament
Wikipedia says it is very intelligent, sociable, active and bold, and enjoys playing with other animals. It is known for “chirping”, chattering and grumbling; most meow very rarely.
Almost all want to be in the same room as their owners and follow them around the house. They head-butt, fetch a ball, walk on a lead and can understand some words.
Socialisation
It is very sociable both with its owners and with strangers; French Wikipedia says it accepts children well.
A kitten gets used to new people, noises and other animals most easily in its first months of life.
Habits at home
Like all cats, it sleeps a lot: usually 12–16 hours a day. It is most active early in the morning and in the evening, but partly adapts to the family's routine.
Cats instinctively bury their droppings, so it quickly learns to use a litter tray. It scratches rough surfaces to shed the old outer layer of its claws, so it needs a scratching post or board.
Life at home and activity
It is active and playful; it loves ball games and walks on a harness.
| Activity | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Ball games (fetch) | daily | It fetches the ball like a dog |
| Walk on a harness | several times a week | Most walk on a lead |
| Play with toys (wand toys, balls) | daily | Play imitates hunting and uses up its energy |
| Scratching post or board | always available | It looks after its claws without damaging the furniture |
Tips for a balanced life
- Change its toys from time to time, so it does not get bored.
- Play with it in short sessions, several times a day.
- If it goes outside, let it do so in a fenced area or on a balcony with a safety net.
Care and health
Coat care
The short coat is easy to care for: one brushing a week. Cats with extra toes need attention when their claws are trimmed.
Common health problems
Because the breed is often crossed with local cats, it has high genetic diversity and no inbreeding problems. Breeders track its health in a database (Pawpeds). Cryptorchidism (an undescended testicle), difficult births and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have been reported rarely; for the last, a yearly heart ultrasound is recommended.
| Condition | Description | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) | The heart wall thickens and the heart pumps less well. It is the most common heart disease in domestic cats | Often no signs at first; later rapid breathing, tiredness, sometimes sudden paralysis of the hind legs |
| Difficult birth (dystocia) | The kittens cannot be born normally | Contractions without kittens, exhaustion; a veterinary emergency |
Recommended genetic tests
Breeders recommend a yearly heart ultrasound for cardiomyopathy.
Is it hypoallergenic?
Cat allergy is caused mainly by the Fel d 1 protein, found in saliva and skin glands; it is behind the allergy in 90% of people who are allergic to cats. Kittens, females and neutered males produce less of it, but still enough to trigger symptoms. No breed is completely hypoallergenic.
Other care
- A check-up at the vet once a year.
- Vaccinations and parasite treatment on the schedule set by the vet.
- Trim the claws if they do not wear down on their own.
- Clean its teeth or give it food that helps keep them clean.
Diet and nutrition
The cat is a carnivore: it needs animal protein. Unlike a dog, it must get vitamin A, arachidonic acid and taurine from its food. Water is very important, because cats usually drink little; several water bowls around the house encourage it to drink.
Tips for a healthy diet
The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual for a healthy adult cat. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram. If you also feed wet food, reduce the dry portion.
| Cat's weight | Calories per day (neutered) | Calories per day (not neutered) | Dry food per day (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 kg | 210 kcal | 250 kcal | 52–71 g |
| 4.5 kg | 260 kcal | 300 kcal | 65–86 g |
| 5 kg | 280 kcal | 330 kcal | 70–94 g |
| 6 kg | 320 kcal | 380 kcal | 80–109 g |
| 8 kg | 400 kcal | 470 kcal | 100–134 g |
- Adjust the portion to its weight: neutered cats put on weight easily.
- Weigh it monthly; the ribs should be easy to feel under your fingers.
- Kittens need more calories: Merck recommends 2.5 times the resting energy requirement.
Dangerous foods and substances
Some common household items are dangerous for cats:
- Lilies (and daylilies): they can destroy a cat's kidneys. Even the pollen or the water in the vase is dangerous.
- Paracetamol: extremely toxic to cats, which lack the enzyme that breaks it down. Never give it human medicines.
- Flea spot-ons and collars for dogs containing permethrin: the concentration meant for dogs is dangerous for cats.
- Foods: chocolate, coffee, alcohol, onions, garlic, grapes and raisins.
Reproduction and development
Maturity
Females usually reach sexual maturity at 5–10 months, and males at 5–7 months. The age varies from breed to breed.
Mating and pregnancy
Pregnancy in cats lasts 64–67 days, 65 on average. A first litter usually has fewer kittens than later ones. Only healthy cats that match the breed standard are used for breeding.
Blood type
Cats have blood type A, B or AB. Type A is the most common: in a study from England, 87.1% of non-pedigree cats and 54.6% of pedigree cats had type A. This matters for breeding: if the mother is type B and the kittens are type A, the antibodies in her first milk (colostrum) can destroy their red blood cells. The condition is called neonatal isoerythrolysis. That is why breeders test the blood type of both parents.
We found no published data on how common type B is in this breed; the test is done before mating anyway.
Caring for the kittens
Kittens are weaned at 6–7 weeks. They are ready to go to their new home at about 12 weeks, when they can be separated from their mother.
Neutering
Neutering used to be done at 6–9 months, but it is more and more often done before puberty, at around 3–6 months. It prevents unwanted kittens, urine marking in males and the loud “calling” of females in heat. A 2024 study found that neutered cats live one year longer on average. After the operation, the metabolism slows down and appetite increases, so the portion has to be reduced.
How to choose a kitten
- Ask for the pedigree from a recognised cat association (for example, TICA).
- The kitten leaves its mother at about 12 weeks.
- Ask for the parents' heart ultrasound, done within the last year.
- For kittens with extra toes, ask what the paws look like and whether the claws grow normally.
- Look at the mother and at the place where the kittens are raised: it should be clean, with kittens used to people.
- Ask about vaccinations, parasite treatment and the blood type of the parents.
Interesting facts
- Extra toes. Many have more toes than an ordinary cat.
- “A dog in a cat's disguise”. That is how Canadians describe it, according to French Wikipedia.
- It grows for 4 years. It only reaches its final size at 4 years.
- It rarely meows. Instead of meowing, it chirps, chatters and grumbles.
Frequently asked questions
Does it have bobcat blood?
No. DNA tests found no bobcat genes; it is a domestic cat.
Why does it have extra toes?
Polydactyly is common in the breed and accepted by the standard.
Does it walk on a lead?
Yes, most learn to walk on a lead.
How much does it weigh?
Usually under 5 kg; some males are heavier.
