Quite the contrary. Black cats, thanks to the genes responsible to giving them their black fur actually gives these cats some awesome immunities to common cat illnesses. In a way, you could say, black cats don’t have as much bad luck as people used to think.
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Immunity against AIDS
Black cats are actually mutants. The same genes that lead them to have black fur is the same genes that make them resistant to FIV or feline immunodeficiency virus. This gene is called the MC1R and it is present in humans too. For humans, this gene makes some of us have red hair. This amazing gene mutation is found in three feline types: the jaguars, South American jaguarondi, and of course, common domestic cats.
FIV and HIV are so similar that scientists are looking in to how black cats could help us make a vaccine against HIV. Cats are so often afflicted by the same medical issues humans have, yet they survive without much medical help. They’ve evolved to become immune or at the very least resistant to some of these afflictions and scientists think that this is where we could find clues to solve human ailments.
True colors of health
While genetics play the biggest part as to why a cat is black, there are many different factors that contribute to how deep or varied their coloring is. Sometimes, black cats can turn reddish brown in some spots or even all over their body.
There are benign reasons as to why their fur could change colors. For example, like humans, their hair could get “bleached” from the sun. You know how much cats love basking in the warm sunlight. If they spend so much time under the sun, it could lighten their fur. They can also turn grey, not unlike humans, when they grow older.
However, your cat changing color is not always something you should ignore. Your black cat would start lightening up if they have dietary deficiencies or worse, illnesses.
If your cat is not getting enough Tyrosine, Copper and Zinc in their diets, they can start fading. If your cat does not have enough Tyrosine, they’ll produce less melanin. Feed your cat protein rich foods and they should get their coloring back. Copper is also very important in feline diets. It is exceedingly rare for them to be deficient in copper, but if they are, they’ll suffer from anemia, ataxia, and even coat texture change. Feed your cats livers and fish, and they should be good. Lastly, your cats must have enough zinc in their systems to remain healthy inside and out – but never too much zinc as that could lead to zinc toxicity. If they have too much zinc, they’ll get copper deficiency, which leads to color change.
If you see your cat slowly changing colors, please visit your local vet, to be safe.
Bombay Health Problems
Bombay cats are known to be the only breed to only have plain black coats. They’re black everywhere – from their noses, to their toe beans. They’re specifically bred to look like little black panthers.
They’re generally healthy, but they can suffer from Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, excessive tears, and breathing problems because their snouts are on the shorter side.
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Common questions about black cats
Are black cats unlucky?
Before black cats were associated with witchcraft during the 1600s, they have long been hailed as the bringer of GOOD luck. In ancient Egypt, they used to be worshiped, so much so that it was a grave crime to kill a cat. In Japan, it is believed that they bring good luck in one’s love life. Lastly, in Scotland and many parts of Europe, they were thought to bring in not just good luck, but prosperity.
Why do black cats have a white patch?
A lot of black cats are not fully black all over. Most of them have a white patch just under their chins or on their chests. There are some suggestions that this could be linked to the infamous witch trials. These white patches were called “God’s Thumbprint” or something of the same vein.
If the witch accusers spot a white patch on an otherwise entirely black cat, they’d see this as a sign that the cat has been touched by God and therefore, not to be killed. All the other black cats without white patches were killed. This could be the reason why a lot of cats have evolved to have white patches. Those patches literally saved their ancestors.
Are black cats more aggressive?
No two cats will ever be the same. Every cat is their own cat and they’ll have different personalities – although this is partially dictated by their genes. Could this mean that their coat color has a heavy bearing on their temperament? There is no clear answer yet.
However, there has been anecdotal evidence that, while black cats are often seen as mysterious, suspicious, and cunning – they are, in fact, usually the calmest, sweetest, and most loving cats among the other cats with other coat colors. For example, the Bombay, a breed of cat with only black fur are characteristically very attached to their humans.
Conclusion
Their genes play a big role as to why cats have different colors. Black cats are black because they have a special gene that makes them so. Fortunately, this gene doesn’t bring them harm, rather it’s the same exact one that makes most black cats immune to FIV. Yet another reason to love black kitties!
