Pixie Bob Cat Breed Information

Group

Long Haired, Short Haired

Weight

3.6-6.5 kg

Length

22.8-30 cm

Lifespan

13-15 years

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About the Pixie Bob Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

It may be their looks in general, or their tail, or even the additional toe-beans that you fall in love with first, but it’s likely that you will become enamoured with Pixie Bobs the first time you get to play with one.

As part of the quintessential feline family member, Pixie Bobs are purrfection, and in this guide, we will tell you all you need to know about these lovable bobs!

What Is the History & Origin of the Pixie Bob Cat?

The Pixie Bob cat was a new breed intentionally created by an American breeder.

In 1985, Carol Ann Brewer found an unusual barn cat. A bobtailed female kitten that was also polydactyl. The following year, Carol Ann Brewer said she had found a male legend cat.

A legend cat is part of a naturally occurring population indigenous to America’s northwest and is the offspring of naturally occurring matings between a domesticated cat and a wild bobcat.

She used those two cats to sire a female kitten which she named Pixie.

However, DNA testing of Pixie conducted by the International Cat Association failed to reveal anything but domestic origins. The most likely origin story for Pixie is that both of her parents were barn cats who shared similar mutations.

What Is a Pixie Bob Cat Breed?

While Pixie was the first Pixie Bob cat, the breed standard didn’t begin until 1989, when Pixie began having kittens. Pixie Bobs were named after the founding female and the bobcat, which they resemble.

Pixie Bobs are a rare breed and intentionally bred but not considered a designer breed.

The Pixie Bob breed standard is recognised by both the International Cat Association and the American Cat Fanciers Association.

Who Is a Pixie Bob Cat Best For?

The Pixie Bob cat will be a welcomed addition to any home.

They are not a go-go-go type of cat but are active. Thus, they simply need some play time and will do well indoors most of the day. This makes them a good choice for older couples or older people.

They love interacting with everyone, so they are very good with families that have children and other pets, including dogs.

They do demand attention and love, so some first-time owners may not be prepared for the amount of personal space they may lose by adding this adorable kitty to their home. They are probably better for those who have or have other pets.

With that said, Pixie Bobs are adventurous, so they will fit in amazingly well with families that love the outdoors.

What Does a Pixie Bob Cat Look Like?

They look like a bobcat. They have the iconic bobbed tail, which looks more like a rabbit than a cat. The length of their tails can range from virtually non-existent to near-normal.

Many Pixie Bobs have extra toes, with a maximum of seven toes instead of the five that other cats have.

Another very different trait is that Pixie Bobs have black skin on their chins, lips, around their eyes and on their paw pads.

Coat

The Pixie Bob’s coat can either be long hair or short-haired. The short-haired Pixie Bobs have a thick double coat, while the long-haired cats have medium density.

The spotted coat is common, though many cats have a striped coat pattern as well.

They have woolly cat hair that feels a bit rough. Not the soft silky coats that other pets tend to have.

Colours

The most common colours for the Pixie Bob cat are:

Light gray
Light tan
Brown of any shade
Black
Blue & grey
Red & orange

Patterns

The Pixie Bob cat is a tabby and comes in the traditional tabby coats. The Brown spotted tabby is the most common.

Pixie Bob Cat Grooming & Shedding

The Pixie Bob can be a high maintenance kitty. The long-haired variety requires daily brushing. Their coats are like velcro, so they will probably carry things in from the outside.

A greasy coat can indicate health issues as it is not engaging in its self-cleaning rituals. They are a cat breed that sheds regularly and ideally should have their teeth cleaned twice a week.

How Do Pixie Bob Cats Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

Pixie Bobs are genuinely sociable and 100% domestic cats. They are friendly cats and love interacting with anyone and everyone. They don’t care, human or animal. Family or stranger. However, they will say Hello (it could go drastically downhill after that for birds, squirrels, etc.).

They favour a chirp or even a boop over the normal meow.

Many breeds of cats are called dog-like, but the Pixie Bob may be the best fit for that description, at least when it comes to loyalty.

They are very smart and active, but that should not be confused with energy level. While they are not generally high energy, they can be as happy exploring a new place as they are sleeping in a new place.

Living Needs

The Pixie Bob breed needs space to run.

They are large as in muscular, not fat. However, that will inevitably come down to parenting.

Also, unlike many cat breeds, the Pixie Bob actually likes water. That is important to keep in mind if you have a fish pond or bird bath in the backyard.

In fact, if you have a pool, keep an eye on that as well. Pixie Bobs have a tendency to forget they are domestic cats and sometimes think they have to cross the Amazon River to hunt on the other side.

That or they are just too lazy to walk around the pool.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Pixie Bob Cats?

Habits

Their favourite pass-time is equally divided between sleeping and exploring, and hunting. So, be sure to adequately provide for all of it.

Activity Level

They are an active and muscular large cats, and they do require space to move around. They want to run and wander. Exploring is in their nature.

This is an adventurous cat breed and will enjoy taking hikes in the woods, driving in the car, riding on a bike, and even travelling.

Vocalness

They are not talkative, but they tend to have a chat session every once in a while. With that said, they can be rather vocal while they’re kittens, especially female kittens. As adults, most Pixie Bobs will just purr and chirp occasionally.

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of a Pixie Bob Cat?

Height

These floofs average:

22.8 to 30 cms

Weight

This floof weighs:

3.6 to 6.5 kg

There have been males over 11 kgs.

Size

This is a large cat breed.

Are Pixie Bob Cats Easy to Train?

These floofs are trainable but may require an expert trainer as they can simply decide that the humans have spoken enough for today and begin ignoring you. Thus, training tends to require some firmness.

Does the Pixie Bob Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

The Pixie Bob breed standard is actually remarkably healthy and has no known genetic health problems to be concerned about.

Some health issues that have been seen are:

Heart issues
Cryptorchidism (undescended testicles)
Dystocia (difficulty giving birth)
Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (uterus issue)
Kidney issues

These issues can be identified with simple DNA tests.

What Is the Lifespan of a Pixie Bob Cat?

The Pixie Bobs have a life expectancy that is above average for cats in general. You can expect them to live for about 15 human years (the equivalent of age 77).

How Much Does a Pixie Bob Cat Need to Be Fed?

They are not finicky eaters. They like both kibble and wet food, and a combination should be provided to increase water intake. Simply ensure you are feeding quality food. They should also have clean, fresh water available at all times.

Monitor both their water and food intake. They can get dehydrated, and again, they are not finicky eaters, which can lead to health problems.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for a Pixie Bob Cat in Australia?

As all pedigreed cat breeds, these are not cheap. It would be very fortunate if you were to find one as a rescue, but most likely, you will need to rely upon reputable breeders.

On average, you can expect a Pixie Bob kitten to range between $800 and $1,500. However, if you are solely interested in show quality, that will begin at $1500.

Pixie Bob Cat FAQs

How can you tell if a cat is a Pixie Bob?

These are big kitties, so unless your full-grown cat is near 8kg, it’s probably not this breed. Look at its tail and ears. This breed has a very unique combination of tail and ear characteristics. Look for a very short tail and pointed ears that are very much like a wild bobcat.

Are Pixie Bob cats good pets?

Yes, this is a very social breed that craves attention and interaction with people. It does not discriminate between family and strangers. They will show love to anyone who shows interest in them. That even extends to other animals. They get along very well with dogs and love to interact with them as well.

Are Pixie Bob cats hypoallergenic?

As with most cats that have long hair and or have a tendency to shed, this breed is not to be considered hypoallergenic. This breed does shed a bit and does tend to leave fur behind on anything it touches, be it your lap or the sofa. They do require a bit of grooming to have it kept under control.