Black cats are widely recognized for their links to Halloween, witchcraft, and superstitions about misfortune. Yet, despite these popular associations, black cats are unique and fascinating felines, believed to bring good luck in some cultures and with a rich history reaching back to the Middle Ages.
Aside from their sleek black fur, black cats are no different from other domestic cats; what sets them apart is how people perceive them. Here are 13 compelling facts about black cats that might surprise you.
1. The Background of Black Cats and Witches
Black cats are emblematic of Halloween and a top costume choice for children and young women in college. But how did they acquire such a spooky reputation? In the Middle Ages, black cats became linked to Satan, witches, and witchcraft. Some believed they were companions to witches—or even witches themselves in animal form. This widespread superstition led to horrific mass killings of black cats and, at times, even their owners. 
The fear persists today: some animal shelters refrain from adopting out black cats in October due to concerns that they might be used in harmful ways.
2. Black Cats Can Help Your Love Life
Move over, “single cat lady” stereotype. In several cultures, black cats are considered lucky in love. In Japan, single women with black cats are believed to attract more suitors. In the English Midlands, gifting a black cat as a wedding present is thought to bring good fortune and happiness to the bride.
3. Black Cats Have a Sailing History
Historically, ship cats were common on vessels to control rodents that could ruin food or damage ships. British sailors specifically believed a black cat brought good luck and ensured a safe return home.
Pirates had more nuanced beliefs: if a black cat walked toward you, it was bad luck; if it walked away, good luck followed; if a cat boarded a ship and then jumped off, it foretold the ship’s sinking.
4. Black Cats Can Resist Disease
In the early 2000s, researchers at the National Institutes of Health discovered that the genetic mutations responsible for black coats may offer some protection against diseases. These mutations affect the same genes that provide partial resistance to HIV in humans.
Cats can experience many health issues similar to humans, including cancer, HIV, and cognitive dysfunctions akin to Alzheimer’s disease. As such, they serve as excellent models for studying human diseases. Understanding how black cats resist illnesses could help researchers develop ways to prevent disease in people.
5. Black Cats Can Change Color
If a black cat spends time in sunlight—a favorite pastime of most felines—UV rays can break down the pigment in its fur, turning it a rusty color. The discolored fur remains until it naturally sheds, after which new black fur grows back.
6. In Some Places, Black Cats Mean Good Luck
While North America often associates black cats with bad luck, other parts of the world see them as lucky. In Scotland, a black cat on the doorstep signals incoming money. France holds a similar belief that black cats bring financial prosperity. In Germany, a black cat crossing your path is considered an omen of good fortune rather than misfortune.
7. Black Cats Are Not a Breed
Many cat breeds can have black coats, but being black is not itself a breed. The Bombay cat, however, was specifically bred to have solid black fur, black paw pads, and even black whiskers. These cats resemble miniature panthers but are affectionate domestic companions.
8. Black Is Genetically Dominant
Black is a genetically dominant coat color in cats. Most black cats might display small white patches, yet black remains the most common color among domestic cats.
9. Most Black Cats Have Yellow Eyes
While feline eye colors vary widely, the majority of black cats have yellow or golden eyes. This striking contrast with their black fur heightens their mysterious appeal.
10. They Can Have Short or Long Hair
Black cats are not a single breed, so they may have short or long hair. Breeds like Bombays, Oriental Shorthairs, and American Shorthairs have short black fur. Long-haired breeds such as Maine Coons, Persians, and Siberians can grow luxurious long black coats. Even hairless cats like the Sphynx can be black.
11. Black Cats Have Their Own Days
Black cats have their own dedicated days: National Black Cat Day on October 27, four days before Halloween, and Black Cat Appreciation Day on August 17. Both days celebrate black cats and aim to dispel myths about their association with bad luck.
12. Patterns Can Be Hidden Underneath Black Fur
A solid black cat in sunlight may reveal faint stripes. Though black is dominant as a fur color, the tabby pattern is genetically dominant as a fur pattern. Cats carrying genes for both black fur and tabby patterning may hide subtle stripes beneath their black coats.
13. They’re Overlooked in Shelters
Unfortunately, black cats (and black dogs) are often overlooked in shelters. “Black Cat Bias” refers to their higher surrender rates, lower adoption rates, and greater likelihood of euthanasia. These outcomes are largely due to persistent but unfounded superstitions.
If you’re considering adopting a shelter cat, opening your home to a black cat could save a loving, playful, and loyal companion who might otherwise be overlooked. You won’t regret it.
