There are Many Breeds of Black Cats
There is not just one breed of black cats. There are actually 21 breeds in which the fur can be solid black to include American Bob Tail, American Shorthair, Biritosj Shorthair, Cornish Rex, Maine Coon, Persian, Scottish Fold and Sphynx. There are also some breeds which are not as common such as Turkish Angora, Selkirk Rex, Laperm, Devon Rex, and Japanese Bobtail. However, no matter what breed a black cat is, they are all beautiful.
A Black Cat’s Golden Eyes
When people think of a black cat with golden eyes, their first thought might be that of a panther lurking in the woods hunting after dark and all you see are two golden eyes glistening through the thickness of the night. Some people are drawn to this majestic look and thus, are drawn to black cats. If that is you, you will want to consider adopting a black American Shorthair, that is what my cat Midnight is, or perhaps a black British Shorthair, because both of these breeds when their coat is black will have the gold or copper eyes. There are other breeds that have a black coat with yellow or golden eyes, but those are two of the most common.
Their Black Coats Can Rust
A black cat’s fur color comes down to that of a genetic quirk. There are actually three variants of the black coat gene. They are solid black, brown and cinnamon and the hue works in conjunction with the fur pattern. If a black cat has a solid black hue but also a dominant tabby cat strip gene, heavy exposure to the sun can make the eumelanin pigment existent in the fur break down to uncover its once-invisible stripes. What was once a black cat can now turn into a rusty brown cat. Midnight also turns into a brown cat when she goes outside and rolls around in the dirt. 🙂
Black Cats are Just Like All Other Kitty Cats
Black cats are no different than any other cat. They are just as loving and sweet and funny as any other colored kitty cat. They will play, run, jump, and get into mischief like any other cat. You may hear people accuse black cats of being standoffish, but that is not true. A black cat has special personalities that make them super lovable and are just like all other cats.
Halloween is a Dangerous Holiday for Black Cats
This is my least favorite fact, but it is true. We have in our world some very mean-spirited pranksters that would like nothing better than to use Halloween as an excuse to torture and be cruel to black cats all in the name of superstition, an old tired and horrible superstition. If you have a black cat, do not let her go out the days before, during or after Halloween so to keep her safe from all of the evil-doers out there. This goes for any cat, be sure to keep your pets indoors during this holiday.
Black Cats are Considered Good Luck in Many Cultures
In Scotland, if a black cat were to approach your home, it would signify prosperity and wealth. In Japan, it is believed a woman who owns a black cat will have many suitors. In the United Kingdom, a black cat crossing one’s path is considered a good omen and not a bad omen as is the case in the Western region. Fisherman and sailors always wanted to have a black cat on their ship because they believed black cats brought good luck. Often times the wives of fishermen would also keep black cats at home to bring good luck to their beloved husband’s who were out at sea. The Egyptian Goddess, Bastet ,was a Cat Goddess and Egyptians believed they could gain favor from Bastet by having lots of black cats in their homes.
October 27 is Black Cat Day in the United Kingdom
October 27 has been designated as Black Cat Day by the Cats Protection in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This day is meant to celebrate the virtues of black cats and to strongly encourage people to go to their shelters and adopt an unwanted black cat and give her a forever home. The Cats Protection is a UK charity dedicated to rescuing and rehoming stray unwanted or homeless cats. In 2013, the organization helped over 194,000 cats. They also work to educate adults and youth on cat welfare.