I am not even going to try and hide my bias in this post, especially black cat facts. I am a sucker for black cats. Whether you are a cat owner or not, we can all agree that no other domesticated cat has a rap quite like black cats.
Unfortunately, black cats are typically associated with Halloween, witchcraft, and bad luck, and lead to people being just cruel to them.
If you want to know why black cats have a bad rap, check out Why Black Cats Are Considered Bad Luck. But if you are ready for some awesome black cat facts, let’s dive in.
1. Black Cats Can Help Your Love Life
Forget the stereotypical depiction of the perpetually single crazy cat lady. (I mean, that’s basically gone to the wayside right?! Cat ladies are cool night, rights? )
In some parts of the world, it’s believed that black cats can actually improve your love life.
Japan, for example, single women who own black cats are believed to attract more suitors.
In Great Britain’s English Midlands, a black cat is the ideal wedding gift; they’re believed to bring good luck and happiness to the bride.
So, all the single ladies, go adopt a black cat. And I know what I’m bringing to weddings from now on.
2. Black Cats Can Bring You Luck
What I find so comical is that in the United State, black cats are considered bad luck. However, in main parts of the world, they are considered good luck in many aspects of life.
Not only can black cats better your love life, but they can amp up your good luck and improve your finances, too.
Historically, sailors brought cats aboard ships to hunt mice—and, presumably, for companionship—but British sailors believed a black cat would bring the ship good luck and ensure a safe return home.
For those of us not in a maritime profession, a black cat arriving at your doorstep signals prosperity (a common belief in Scotland) and a black cat crossing your path signals good luck (in England and Ireland).
So it is really just the United States and a few others than still hold this silly notion of black cats.
C’mon USA, do better.
3. Black Cats Can Resist Disease
If this doesn’t make any worried cat parent feel better, I don’t know what will.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health discovered that the genetic mutations that cause cats to have black coats may offer them some protection from diseases.
In fact, the mutations affect the same genes that offer HIV resistance to humans.
Since cats can experience many of the same health issues as we do—cancer, HIV and Alzheimer’s, to name a few—they make perfect models for studying human disease.
Scientists are actually studying black cats to see how they have evolved to resist these diseases and if it is possible on humans.
4. Black Cats Can Change Color
Fun fact. A black cat’s coat can do something called “rust”
If your black cat has a tabby stripe gene and loves to spend his days lounging in the sun, his fur can turn a rusty brown color.
Why?
A black cat’s color all boils down to a genetic quirk.
Some black cats have something called a solid black hue. If they have a dominant tabby gene and like to sit in the sun, they can change colors. Heavy exposure to the sun can make the pigment in its fur break down to reveal its once-invisible stripes
What was once a black cat is now a rusty brown cat.
5. They’re a sailor’s best friend.
As I mentioned earlier, in many countries, black cats are a sign of good luck and good fortune. They were also welcome aboard British vessels to hunt mine and companionship.
If you were a sailor, you would want a black cat on your boat. It was their little good luck charm.
6. There is no one black cat breed.
The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) recognizes 22 different breeds that can have solid black coats—including the Norwegian Forest Cat, Japanese Bobtail, and Scottish Fold.
Typically when people think of black cats they think of the Bombay breed. A copper-eyed, all-black shorthair.
If you want to know if your cat is a Bombay, I have an entire article on that. But just know, if your cat is black, that doesn’t mean it is ALWAYS a Bombay. There’s just a chance it could be.
>> While we are debunking myths check out 12 Myths About Cats That Are Completely False!
7. Black cats are not as easily adopted as cats of other colors.
So there is apparently controversy over this “fact” now.
A common fact that has been circulating around is that black cats in shelters are the last in line to find their forever homes.
People have felt so sorry for this fact that they have been on the HUNT to get information out there. Black cat lovers societies, adopt a black cat funds, and more. People have done this so much that recent surveys are starting to lean in a more normal direction for black cats.
However, that doesn’t mean they will be flying off the shelves at the shelter. Work still needs to be done to educate the world about black cats and what they bring to the table.
The vet who conducted the study argues that there may just simply be more black cats than other colors, which is why it seems like there are more in shelters.
Man, I hope that is the case.
8. You can visit a cat cafe devoted to black cats.
Next in the black cat facts is a cat cafe!
In a place called Nekobiyaka in Himeji, Japan every crazy cat lady will feel right at home.
Black cats are the stars of this café and visitors can come and pet these little creatures.
Because it is a cat café of all black cats, the owners put a different colored bandana on each of the cats to make sure they are all still there and safe at the end of the day.
Moral of the story, don’t try going to Japan to steal a black cat.
9. They’re difficult to photograph—but it can be done.
One of the second biggest reasons why people claim they don’t want to adopt a black cat is because they think they don’t photograph well.
The modern-day conundrum black cat owners face isn’t bad luck, but bad lighting.
A lot of “influencers” want to take selfies and photos of their cats in adorable positions. On Instagram, black cats can sometimes end up looking like a dark blob in photos.
The truth, that is completely false!
Yes, you can’t take completely candid photos of your cat, but you can work on your lighting. And with all the editing apps online, you can edit your cats picture to make sure they stand out and look absolutely stunning.
Just like with humans, you just need to find your cat’s right angle.
10. Black cats can have spots.
Finally in our black cat facts journey is their coloring, again.
Everyone things black cats are always a solid color.
However, if you look carefully at their fur, you can see spots, and sometimes even stripes depending on the breed and coat.
There’s more to black cats than meets the eye!