Are you thinking of adding a black cat to your family? Other than being beautiful, affectionate and elegant, there’s actually a lot that black cats have that other colored cats don’t have. One of those things is an amazing quirk in their immune systems brought by the same gene that’s responsible of their black fur.
Table of Contents
Genetically awesome
Black cats are black because of their genes. Through generations, they pass down the gene responsible for having black fur. One of the genes responsible for it is called MC1R. MC1R is also a gene found in humans. It makes some of us have red hair.
Another thing that cats and humans share is that cats have their own version of HIV called FIV or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. It’s an infection that can pass from one cat to another via fluid contact. The most common way they can pass the infection on to another cat is through bites. While it’s not unheard of for two cats, one positive and one negative of HIV to live together and the FIV not spreading, it’s still something a lot of owners worry about – that is unless one of their cats is actually immune to the disease.
Recent studies show the very same genes that give black cats their black fur is actually helping them resist some diseases like FIV. Since this particular gene is also present in humans, scientists are currently working with black cats to see how this discovery could help humans defeat HIV, Alzheimer’s, Cancer, and more!
Who knows, maybe one day, we’ll wake up to find that the cure to cancer is hiding in Mr. Fluffy Pants’ genes.
They can change color
You may find that one day, your plain black shiny cat’s fur is turning into a different color. If it’s turning gray, it could be because your cat is getting on in years. In that case, good job on taking very good care of your cat! Another reason is if your cat likes basking in the sunlight too much, the sun could gradually bleach their fur.
However, there are also some less benign reasons as to why your cat’s fur has changed colors – that is, if they have a deficiency in their diets. Black cats who don’t have enough meat in their diet could turn reddish-brown. This happens if they don’t have enough Tyrosine. Tyrosine is one of your cat’s ESSENTIAL amino acids, aka their building blocks of proteins.
If your cat is turning a bit rusty, consider it an early warning from their body. Go visit your vet and change up their diet.
Black cats are just like any other cats
In the western world, the cats have gained a bit of a bad rep in history. They’re so often associated to bad luck or being supernatural – when it’s the farthest thing from the truth. Just like any cat with any other color, they’re an awesome addition to any family, in need of love and cuddles. With the possibility of your black kitty being immune to some diseases, what’s not to love?
[crp]
Common questions about cat health
Do cats hide their pain?
One thing that a lot of cat owners may not know is that cats are very good at hiding pain. That’s because when their ancestors were prancing about in the wild, they’re both predator AND prey. Pain is a sign of weakness – which makes cats who show pain a target to their predators. The modern house cat has not forgotten this. They won’t cry out in pain, until it’s absolutely unbearable.
Still, cats will show some signs of pain before it’s too late. Here are some signs to look out for:
- They’re not as active as they usually are.
- They don’t want to be touched in an area they used to not mind being touched.
- They’re limping.
- They have changed their grooming habits. Like if they are licking an area more, or they don’t groom themselves as often.
Can cats be vegan?
Nope. Cats are what you call an obligate carnivore. The HAVE to eat meat because they won’t survive otherwise. They haven’t evolved to survive on a no-meat diet and will be immensely deficient of the nutrients their bodies need if they take a vegan diet.
Taurine is one of the things they’ll miss out on if they don’t eat meat. Cats who don’t have enough taurine could develop heart problems. Cats also need a lot of protein which they just won’t have enough of in a plant-based diet.
How often should my cat visit the vet?
As a general rule, cats should visit their vets at least once a year. If your cat is still a kitten, they’ll need to see their vets a lot more to make sure they’re growing up healthy and are up to date with their vaccinations. Once your cat turns 7 years old, they’re considered seniors. In this case, they’ll have to visit the vet twice a year to check if they’ve developed any age-related diseases.
Conclusion
Black cats are awesome – not just because they look amazing on the outside, but also because they have some amazing immunities on the inside as well. The same genes responsible to giving them their dark fur is also responsible of keeping them disease free.
