Your guide to finding and caring for a Pixiebob in Texas City
Find your forever Pixiebob
F, 0-6 mo., 262 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Manx
F, 0-6 mo., 262 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Manx
F, 3-7 y., 262 miles
Manx
M, 0-6 mo., 262 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Manx
F, 4 y., 267 miles
Calico, American Bobtail
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 278 miles
Manx
F, 4 y., 284 miles
Manx
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 284 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Manx
F, 3-7 y., 288 miles
American Bobtail, Tortoiseshell
F, 1 mo., 293 miles
Manx
With a short tail, spotted brown tabby coat and heavy brows, the Pixiebob looks like a small wild bobcat, but it is an entirely domestic cat. The breed began in Washington state in the mid-1980s, when a founding female named Pixie was born and her line was developed from local barn cats said to be bobcat hybrids. DNA testing has found no bobcat ancestry. Pixiebobs are large, muscular cats, often with ear tufts, extra toes and a tail anywhere from about two inches to hock length.
Many Pixiebobs are devoted, dog-like companions that follow their people, learn to walk on a harness and chirp or chatter more than they meow. They tend to be social and steady rather than hyperactive. They mature slowly, sometimes taking several years to reach full size, and they are uncommon in shelters, so patience helps.
Having a Pixiebob in Texas City
A wild look masks a highly domestic, family-focused personality in the Pixiebob. These traits cover how its loyalty, sociable nature, activity level and practical care play out at home, so adopters know what living with one is actually like.
Pixiebobs tend to be affectionate, loyal and confident, often bonding strongly with their household and following people from room to room. Many get along with respectful children and cat-friendly dogs. They usually communicate with chirps and trills rather than loud meows. Some are reserved with strangers, and an individual cat's history matters.
Pixiebobs are moderately active cats that enjoy interactive play, fetch, puzzle feeders and climbing. Many accept harness training for supervised outdoor walks. A couple of daily play sessions usually keep them fit and content. They are not as frantic as some active breeds, but they appreciate a routine and company over long stretches alone.
Pixiebobs are generally considered healthy, but the breed has reports of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cryptorchidism in males and difficult births. Polydactyl cats need extra attention to nail care so claws do not grow into pads. Dental disease and obesity are common feline concerns too. Regular checkups and a heart exam when advised are worthwhile.
Their adaptable, people-oriented nature lets Pixiebobs settle in apartments or houses, as long as they have sturdy cat trees, scratching posts and daily play. They are large cats, so bigger litter boxes and perches help. Indoor life is safest, with harness walks or a catio offering supervised time outdoors.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $30 to $60 per month | $360 to $720 |
| Pet insurance | $25 to $55 per month | $300 to $660 |
| Routine vet care | $150 to $350 per year | $150 to $350 |
| Other* | $450 to $1,150 per year | $450 to $1,150 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,260 to $2,880 | |
Other costs are national averages for Pixiebobs; we don't have costs specific to Texas City yet.
* Litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, sturdy toys and scratchers, and light at-home brushing.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have Pixiebobs available.
Here are the rescues & shelters in the Texas City area where you can find Pixiebobs and other cats available for adoption.
Bobcats and domestic cats are not known to produce verified hybrids. They belong to different genera, and while unconfirmed stories circulate, genetic testing of cats claimed to be bobcat crosses, including the Pixiebob's founders, has found only domestic ancestry. Bobcat-like features in pet cats come from domestic genes, such as natural bobtail mutations and spotted tabby patterns.
A Pixiebob is a domestic cat breed developed in Washington state in the mid-1980s to resemble a bobcat. It has a short tail, a spotted brown tabby coat, a heavy brow and often ear tufts and extra toes. Despite its wild look, it has no bobcat ancestry and is known for a loyal, sociable and dog-like personality.
You cannot reliably tell whether a cat is part bobcat by looks alone, and verified bobcat hybrids are not documented. Short tails, spots, ear tufts and large size all occur in purely domestic cats. A DNA test from a reputable feline genetics laboratory is the only meaningful way to examine ancestry, and such tests on suspected hybrids have shown domestic genes.
No, Pixiebob cats are not dangerous. They are fully domestic cats, despite their bobcat-like appearance, and most are known for steady, affectionate and people-oriented personalities. Like any cat, a Pixiebob can scratch or bite if frightened, in pain or roughly handled, so respectful handling and supervision with young children are still important.
The average Pixiebob typically lives about 13 to 15 years, and many indoor cats live longer with good care. Lifespan depends on genetics, weight, dental health and access to veterinary care. Keeping a Pixiebob lean, indoors and on a regular checkup schedule, including heart screening if your veterinarian recommends it, gives it the best chance at a long life.
The Pixiebob breed is young, dating to the mid-to-late 1980s, when the founding cat, Pixie, was born in Washington state. The International Cat Association first accepted Pixiebobs for exhibition in 1993 and granted championship status in 1998. The CFA registry does not currently recognize the breed, so it remains less common than older breeds.
We have 1 rescue with Pixiebobs available: Galveston County Animal Resource Center. You can see every rescue with Pixiebobs available in the list above these questions.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Texas City.
