Black cats: myths and facts

A black cat is a cat with a solid black coat, and nothing more. Black cats are not luckier or unluckier than other cats. They are not more aggressive and not less healthy because of their colour. Some shelters report that black cats wait longer for homes, though studies disagree. If you love the look, a black cat is as good a choice as any.

Where the superstitions come from

Beliefs about black cats differ by place. In some countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland and Japan, a black cat crossing your path is a sign of good luck. In parts of the United States and continental Europe, the same cat is said to bring bad luck. These ideas have no basis in fact.

The fear has a long history in Europe. Folklore linked cats with women accused of witchcraft, and the stories grew over centuries. Black cats came to feature as witches' companions or disguises. These tales rest on rumour and do not show how cats were really treated at the time. In other cultures cats were honoured. Ancient Egypt kept cats close to its religion and daily life. Sailors in many places treated a ship's black cat as a lucky mascot.

Modern films, Halloween decorations and fiction keep the image alive. A black cat on a pumpkin is a design, not a fact.

What makes a cat black

A black coat comes from a gene that causes a cat's fur to be dense with the pigment melanin. This trait is called melanism. In a domestic cat it works by switching off the usual banded hair pattern that gives a tabby its stripes. Black cats are often tabbies underneath. In bright sunlight you can sometimes see faint "ghost" stripes on a black kitten or cat.

Other facts about black coats:

• Sun can change the colour. Many black cats look brownish or rusty in strong sun, because sunlight fades the pigment at the tips of the fur. The coat darkens again after a moult. Some owners suspect diet. Ask your vet if the change worries you, and look for other signs such as weight loss or a dull coat.
• Eyes are usually gold, yellow, copper or green.
• Many breeds can be black. The Bombay is bred to be black. Others, such as the Persian and British Shorthair, come in black along with other colours. Most black cats are ordinary domestic shorthair or longhair cats.
• A "black panther" is not a cat species. The black panther is a black leopard in Asia and Africa or a black jaguar in the Americas. These animals have the same trait. It is a coat colour, and it does not make them a different animal.
• Black cats with white patches such as a white chest or paws are not solid black, and a black and white cat is usually called a tuxedo cat.

Are black cats adopted less?

Shelter staff in several countries say that black cats can take longer to find a home. Reasons given include superstition, the difficulty of photographing a dark coat, and the number of black cats in shelters, since black is a common colour. Studies of this are mixed. Some find longer stays and some find no difference, and results vary by place and shelter. Many shelters report that personality, age and the quality of the photo matter more than colour.

If you meet a black cat that you like, take your time with the individual cat. Appearance should not decide. Good photographs help shelters, and a clear bright photograph shows a black cat's eyes and expression. If you are a shelter volunteer, use natural light and a plain background.

Halloween and safety

Halloween is a good time to think about cat safety, whatever the colour. Some shelters limit or pause adoptions of black cats around October because they worry about cruelty or prank adoptions. Policies vary, and the scale of the problem is hard to measure. Many shelters now screen all adopters carefully all year. You can expect questions at any time, as part of a normal adoption.

For your own cat, whatever its colour, it is wise to:

• keep the cat indoors on Halloween night and the days around it, since trick-or-treaters, noise and costumes frighten cats
• put the cat in a quiet room with food, water and a litter tray if you expect visitors
• keep decorations, candles and cords out of reach
• keep chocolate and sweets away from cats, and tell children not to feed them
• make sure the cat's microchip details and collar tag are current
• avoid dressing the cat in a costume unless it truly accepts it, and take it off at the first sign of stress

Note that days to celebrate black cats exist. In the United States, Black Cat Appreciation Day falls on 17 August. In the United Kingdom, National Black Cat Day is on 27 October. Dates may differ in other countries.

What to do, step by step, if you want a black cat

1. Visit your local shelter or rescue. Ask staff to introduce the cats that fit your life, not only the black ones.
2. Meet the individual cat. Spend time with it and ask about its history and temperament.
3. Ask about health records. Colour tells you nothing about health, so ask about vaccines, neutering and any known conditions.
4. Take photos in daylight if you want to share your cat, and expect the coat to look browner in strong sun.
5. Plan a vet visit within the first week.

Common mistakes

• Believing a colour predicts behaviour. Personality comes from genes, upbringing and handling.
• Judging health by colour. A black coat does not mean a healthy or unhealthy cat.
• Letting a cat out at Halloween. The night is stressful and risky.
• Passing over a black cat because it looks plain. Many have striking eyes and sleek coats.
• Assuming a rusty coat is always sun. Check with your vet if it appears with other changes.

When to see a vet

Colour does not call for a vet, but illness does. See a vet at once if your cat:

• struggles to breathe or breathes with an open mouth
• strains in the litter box or passes little or no urine, especially a male
• has not eaten for a day or more
• vomits repeatedly or collapses
• is a kitten that is cold and limp

Summary

• Black is a coat colour, called melanism, and says nothing about luck, temperament or health.
• Superstitions differ by country and have no factual basis.
• Many black cats are tabbies underneath, and sun can make a black coat look rusty.
• Studies disagree on whether black cats wait longer for homes.
• Keep every cat indoors and calm at Halloween and keep identification current.
• Choose a cat for its personality, not its colour.