Black is a dominant gene and the black cat fur is compliments of a dominant gene.  This means that any kitten with one black cat parent will carry this gene and it takes two black cats mating to guarantee a black litter. 

There are more male black cats than female black cats.  Male kittens inherit their fur color from their mothers so a male born to a black female will be black too.  The coloring of the father will be involved but the dominant black gene will always rule.

There are 22 breeds that come with black coats and some black cats aren’t actually pure black.  Some of the coat color patterns are actually a combination of three basic colors such as black, white, and red.  The Bombay cat is the only pure black cat in the world.

Researchers at the National Institute of Health discovered that the genetic mutation that causes a cat’s fur to be black also protects them from certain diseases like FIV. They seem to have a stronger immune system than other cats and more resiliency against other illnesses.

The tabby gene is a dominant pattern so the black fur will also contain a tabby pattern.  The coat of a black cat will change color to a rust brown color when the kitty is lounging in the sun because the sun’s rays break down the pigment in the fur to reveal the underlying tabby stripes.

Most black cats have yellow (golden) eyes which is due to their genetic makeup.  True onyx-hued cats produce a lot of melanin.  This pigment makes their coats black and their eyes a captaining amber shade which is an extremely rare eye color in humans.

In ancient Egypt, black cats were held in the highest esteem because they resembled the physical embodiment of the goddess Bastet, a woman with the head of a black cat who watched over the crops, women, and the home. Cats performed the same functions on earth and were often fitted with jewelry and treated like royalty. Black cats were also special to the Goddess Isis and were cared for at her temples. Every home possessed a cat, temples were dedicated to them, and to kill one was a crime punishable by death. Cats were also mummified in the same way as people, which shows just how important they were to the ancient Egyptians.

In Celtic cultures, there arose the tale of the Cait Sidhe, a magical black cat with a white spot on their chest that was known to be the Faerie King of Cats. Legend has it that if you left milk out for Cait Sidhe on Samhain night or Halloween, he would bless your house. 

In Japan, black cats are viewed as an excellent sign of good luck. Some people believe that crossing paths with a black cat will give them luck in their love life, while other people simply believe they will become luckier.  Single women who own black cats are believed to attract more suitors.  When crossing paths with a black cat, some people will say, “konnichiwa,” which is a friendly greeting similar to “hello.” For those who speak to black cats, they will be able to take control of their own luck.

In China, many people believe in the power of Feng Shui. In Feng Shui, black cats are considered to be a force for good, bringing luck and happiness to the people around them. Black cats may also serve as a form of protection, ensuring the safety of the people in the home. In lieu of a real black cat, a figurine of a black cat that is facing toward the north is believed to keep evil spirits and negative energy at bay.

In Great Britain, the black cat is commonly associated with a happy marriage and it’s believed that making a gift of a black cat will ensure a successful union. For this reason, black cat-themed wedding favors, cards, and gifts are very popular. 

In Scotland, the arrival of a black cat is believed to signify a windfall.  The Scottish have a belief that if a black cat shows up at your doorstep, they will bring prosperity and success. Black cats are considered lucky and are usually associated with positive things, as well as being given credit if someone becomes unexpectedly prosperous after finding a black cat.

In France, something magical is about to happen if you see a black cat.

In Italy, there is a belief that hearing a sneezing black cat will bring a streak of good luck. 

The ancient Norse people believed that two black cats pulled the chariot of the goddess, Freya. Freya was much loved as the goddess of beauty, fertility, and love. It was common for farmers of the time to leave bowls of milk in their fields for Freya’s cats. This helped to ensure they would have the blessing of a good harvest.

Many European sailors considered black cats good luck or a safe journey with the added benefit of fewer rats so they welcomed them aboard their ships. The sailors’ wives also kept black cats at home to help ensure their husbands made it home safely. Black cats became so highly valued that some could not afford them.

For the theater community, many actors and other members of the theater believe that the presence of a black cat during a performance will lead to a successful performance and prosperous show run. The magic of the black cat seems to be the strongest if they’re present on the opening night of the show.

Research by ASPCA shows that black cats are least likely to be adopted but thanks to movies like “Black Panther” and TV shows like “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” more house panthers have found their furrever homes.

Here are some famous black cats from movies, TV and more:

• Felix the Cat
• Thackery Binx in “Hocus Pocus”
• Cobweb in “Hocus Pocus 2”
• Salem Saberhagen from “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”
• Kitty in “The Munsters”
• Luna, the black cat in “Sailor Moon”
• Isis in “Star Trek” 
• Bagheera, black panther in “The Jungle Book”
• Snowball II in “The Simpsons”
• Scat Cat, the effortlessly cool black cat trumpeter in “The Aristocats”
• Lucifer in “Cinderella”
• The Cat, a chatty and sarcastic kitty in “Coraline”

In addition to silver screen characters, other black cats have gained celebrity status, including:

• Blackie, the world’s richest cat, was left a $12.5 million fortune when his pet parent, British antique dealer Ben Rea, died in 1988.
• Oscar the Bionic Cat was the world’s first cat to have double rear-leg prosthetics, in 2009.
• Homer, the Blind Black Wonder Cat, was born without eyes and had been abandoned by his previous owners. His inspirational story is told in “Homer’s Odyssey” which is a New York Times bestseller.
• Trim is an adventurous black cat, who voyaged around the coast of Australia in the early 1800s, was honored with his own statue.
• Mark Twain’s cat, Bambino. After his wife passed away, his daughter was grieving and snuck a black cat into their no-animals-allowed New York apartment. The cat, Bambino, brought her and eventually her father comfort. She writes about it in her book, My Father, Mark Twain.
• One of the most famous black cats in literature is undoubtedly the one from Edgar Allan Poe’s story “The Black Cat.” In the story, the narrator’s beloved black cat, Pluto, becomes a symbol of his descent into madness and guilt.
• Another literary black cat is the titular character from T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” which served as the basis for the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “Cats.”

Here are some famous black cats from social media:

• Cole, from the world-famous internet duo sensation “Cole & Marmalade”. He captured our hearts as a tiny young rescue kitten with his adorable peek-a-boo video that went viral. Cole, the world’s sweetest black cat helped dispel the myths surrounding black cats and was influential in helping countless black cats find their forever homes. This handsome house panther had a pawsome life and made a such big difference in the world. #teamcole
• Coco, found in a treetop by Hannah Shaw (known as the “Kitten Lady”).  She was her first kitten and the one who would change her life forever. Coco was the inspiration that led to the creation of many resources for neonatal kitten care including a pamphlet, book, grant programs, and the formation of the Orphan Kitten Club.  This precious mini panther has left a wonderful legacy that will impact the lives of neonatal kittens forever.  
• Lizzy (stage name OwlKitty), is the feline star in all your favorite movies and TV shows. This sweet mini panther is the one who gets lots of treats and cuddles in return. OwlKitty has made appearances in such classics as Star Wars, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, How to Train Your Dragon, The Shining, Titanic, 50 Shades of Gray, and Risky Business. You can also find her in Game of Thrones, Ariana Grande’s music video, and Red Dead Redemption 2.

Research has found that black cats were less likely to get adopted so to address this issue two national holidays for black cats were born. 

1. National Black Cat Appreciation Day: celebrated in the United States on August 17, encourages people to cast aside silly superstitions and adopt a black cat.
2. National Black Cat Day:  celebrated in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland on October 27, is dedicated to celebrating the beauty and value of black cats while encouraging people to adopt them. 

My very first foster litter of kittens were all black except for one tuxedo.  They were such joys to foster and were my first experience with newborn kittens!  When it came time to show them at the adoption events, I was surprised how often they were passed over by potential adaptors as just another black kitten while to me they were the most beautiful looking black kittens with the healthiest shining coats.  I made sure they knew that they were loved very much and I had to work much harder to get them noticed by potential adopters by using lots of stories and top-notch photos and they eventually all were adopted into great homes. 

I am often asked why black cats are the hardest to adopt.  People are still superstitious of black cats but in some parts of the world, they are considered lucky.  Others believe black cats look menacing but I got to tell you some of the sweetest cats I have ever known were black cats.  So the next time that you are looking to adopt, I encourage you to check out the black cats and while you are at it, the tuxedo cats too because like all of us they are so very deserving of love and attention.  

Having a black cat in my resident cat crew, here are my top five reasons why you should adopt a black cat:

1) Black goes with everything so if you like to wear lots of black, you won’t have to be so careful about lint-rolling cat hair as with a light-colored cat.  My first cat was white and I could never wear anything black without her white fur decorating it!

2) You can practice your photography skills with a black cat. I can speak firsthand that it is infinitely more difficult to take a great photo of a black cat, but when I do take a good photo, I feel super proud of my photography skills. 

3) Black cats are not any more unlucky than other kind of cat. In fact, in some parts of the world black cats are considered to be lucky! 

4) Black cats are quite striking and most black cats are not entirely black.  Look closely at their coats and you will see shades of auburn or grey mixed in.  

5) The best reason to adopt a black cat is you are saving a life because black cats are the least likely to be adopted even though they are some of the sweetest cats you will ever meet.  Please consider opening your heart and home to a black cat.

As the age-old saying goes, if you happen to cross paths with a black cat, you should stop and take the time to pet the kitty!  Consider yourself lucky to be in the presence of a beautiful and magnificent mini panther!

Michelle, AAC Volunteer