Much ink has already been poured out about black cats. The fact is that they leave no one untouched. They are often the last on the couch for adoption in shelters. There are people who believe they bring bad luck, but is this so? Of all cats, what makes black cats the most talked about of all colors?
Why are some cats black?
A black cat is a cat with black fur. A cat’s color and pattern are caused by different genes. Basically there are two different genes responsible for color in mammals: red and black. The latter is clearly reflected in the black cat.
Due to various factors, the black gene can be weakened and you therefore also have gray, blue and brown cats. Sometimes black and red can also appear together in spots. Since this requires a gene combination XX, spotted or also called tortoiseshell cats are always females or in very rare cases males with a genetic abnormality. Pure red cats can have both sexes, just like black cats. If the ratio is slightly higher in red cats in favor of the males, it can be said that in black cats both sexes are equally well represented.
A black cat is therefore a cat with a black coat, with or without a white (breast) spot and that color has no influence on the health of the animal. There are theories that people with cat allergies would react more strongly to black cats than to light cats. However, the research into this was so small-scale that it cannot yet be considered scientifically valid.
There has also been no specific scientific research about the character of black cats and it can probably be said that black cats have a character of their own that is not determined by the color.
Variations
A completely black cat is extremely rare. Many black cats have white hair here and there and often a white spot, which may or may not be pronounced, usually on the chest. The hairs in the ears are often white, or you can also have black cats with white whiskers. Black cats also often have black gums and black spots in their palate, which sometimes makes it more difficult to detect possible mouth infections.
There are also so-called smoke cats, which you also have in black. These are cats with white undercoat, so a black cat with white undercoat also exists. In certain breeds black is also called differently. The Bombay is also a variety that is only grown in black.
When black cats spend a lot of time outside and are exposed to sunlight, their fur can turn reddish brown. This is called resting and can be compared to the natural bleaching of our hair in the sun. This affects their appearance more than their health, yet it is not advisable to over-sunbathe a cat. Because their black coat absorbs heat more quickly than other colors, black cats can become more prone to dehydration or overheating in the summer. On the other hand, they are less likely to burn in the sun than white cats.
Witches
Black cats are also called witch cats. The reason why completely black cats were so rare for a long time is partly because these animals have also been victims of witch persecution. A white spot could save a cat from gruesome death. Black cats were seen as an incarnation of the devil, or as a witch in disguise. These animals, like people accused of witchcraft, were subjected to gruesome torture and often burned alive.
The link between a witch and a cat can perhaps be traced back to ancient Anglo-Saxon folklore. There is the belief that witches have a pet as an assistant, the so-called “familiar” and that their spirit can also be transferred into that animal. This phenomenon is called shape shift and occurs in different shamanic cultures. With the American Indians, shamans could also travel with their spirit in the body of their totem animal.
In the old witch culture, the black cat is more of a good luck charm. It was the intervention of the Church that gave these animals their status as devils and bearers of bad luck.
Accident
In our Western culture, the black cat is therefore a symbol of the devil and a harbinger of bad luck. This superstition still plays a role and there are still people who avoid black cats because of it. Every year many young kittens are euthanized in shelters, because they cannot find an owner. The chance that a black or black and white kitten will not find a home is greater than a cat of a different color. Blacks are often less lucky here too.
Culture and folklore
In Ypres there is the triennial Cat Parade, in which the cat, especially the black cat, is central. In this procession, which first went out on March 13, 1938, the torture of cats for popular entertainment is still maintained, but in an animal-friendly way. The highlight of this event is the Cat Throw of the Hall Tower. Now they are plush animals, but legend has it that real cats used to be used for these practices.
The black cat also has a special place in art and culture. Think of the short story “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe, or the song “Black Cat” by Janet Jackson.
Conclusion
There is no scientific evidence that black cats are bad luck or are the devil’s envoys. There are no indications that these animals have more or less health problems than other cats. So you don’t have to fear if a black cat crosses your path.