Black color of cats: standards and features, breeds with descriptions, photos of kittens

Bombay cat

The Bombay is a robust, medium-sized, heavily built cat with a softly contoured body, a broad head, a short muzzle and large, round eyes of rich color, ranging from gold to bright orange. The Bombay's coat is very short, smooth and, one might say, "shiny".

Breed standards allow only one color - jet black. Despite their exceptionally spectacular, in a sense, “fatal” appearance, these cats are very friendly, sociable, and get along well with all family members and other pets. Breeders, not devoid of a sense of beauty, call the Bombay “a bundle of brilliance and love.”

The history of Bombay is not original. In the middle of the last century, the American N. Horner, the “godmother” of the breed, decided to create a unique, “powerful” cat - a mini-panther. For breeding work, she attracted American shorthairs of black color and Burmese sable color (the so-called dark brown color of the Burmese fur coat). Not everything went smoothly: Horner spent more than 20 years developing the breed.

Bombays were first recognized by the CFA feline system in 1976, and subsequently by other American systems. The most influential European systems - GCCF and FIFe do not recognize Bombay, but they are recognized by the WCF. However, these magnificent, “magical” cats are not very popular among us.

Black cat in the house is magic. 10 magical secrets your cat keeps

Cats have long been considered mysterious and magical animals. Knowing about their abilities, you will take a new look at your pet.

Previously, we wrote for you about how to choose a cat to suit your character. This article will help you get a pet so that you get a new family friend. Cats are amazing creatures that give us positive energy and are the main characters.

Magical secrets of cats

Cats have been pets since ancient times. Even then, people began to notice that their pets were not such simple creatures. For some peoples, representatives of the cat family are truly sacred. The first mentions of cats as pets are found in ancient Egypt. Then the presence of a cat in the house indicated that the person was an important person. Cats at that time were sacred animals of Egypt and lived in temples.

The first secret: cats are the sacred patrons of the home. The strength of their effect on everything that happens in the house depends on the color. The darker the fur, the more negativity the cat absorbs. If she's acting strange, aggressive, or just depressed, there's a good chance she saved you from trouble. The whiter and lighter the cat, the more often it attracts goodness into the house. If you have a sudden wave of good mood, then know that it was given to you by your cat. There are many signs and superstitions about cats that will tell you even more about the energy of these animals.

Secret two: black cats do not bring trouble, but warn about it. It is traditional to beware of black cats that cross the road. However, offending the cat will not solve the problem. The best way is when you see a black cat, carefully walk around it and not disturb it, and simply take note of its warning. To ward off perceived trouble, grab any knot or fastener on your clothing.

Secret three: cats process negative energy, turning it into light energy. They absorb all the negativity that you bring with you, for example, from work. They are like a vacuum cleaner, a magnet for bad energy. By cleansing your aura, they give you good luck in business and love, and also improve your mood.

Mystery Four: Cats can communicate with demons and other incorporeal creatures. One striking example is the brownie. Very often the behavior of a cat can be explained by the influence of a brownie. He simply communicates with the pet and directs its mind where it needs to go. Outbursts of anger may indicate the presence of an evil brownie. In this case, it is important not to transfer anger to your cat, but to appease and come to an agreement with the brownie himself.

Secret five: cats predict the future. If your pet suddenly starts acting strange, this is not good. Attempts to run outside or leave the house in any way portend trouble. Thus, the cat can anticipate seismic disturbances of the Earth, gas leaks, future fires and much more. And if the cat is simply aggressive, expect problems with mutual understanding in the near future.

Secret six: cats and cats can cause prophetic dreams. If you had a dream, after which you immediately woke up and saw your pet nearby and not sleeping, this means that the dream shows you the future or tells you what to do. This way your pet can answer important questions for you.

Secret seven: cats rid the home of the negative influence of the ghosts of dead people. Many people have often heard that someone they know turns on the water on its own, or someone walks around the apartment at night. This is none other than spirit. The cats kick them out, forcing them to leave the house alone. In this way, they protect what they consider rightfully theirs: you and your home. But you can forgive your brave pet for such self-confidence.

Secret eight: these pets are capable of absorbing damage or a strong curse and die, giving their lives to save their owners. When a cat dies for no apparent reason, it is often an indication that someone was trying to spite you.

Secret Ninth: Cats heal wounds, illnesses and illnesses. Those who suffer from joint pain often notice cats sitting next to them and just sitting. They feel your agony. The purring of cats inexplicably cures any ailment.

Secret tenth: cats and cats are excellent at recognizing bad people. If the pet behaves calmly at the sight of a stranger or even goes into your arms, the guest can be trusted. If not, this person is a source of negative energy caused by negative thoughts and emotions. However, this advice is only good if your pet is healthy and always calm.

These ten secrets will help you get to know your cat better. And also about what kind of people cross the threshold of your home, what its energy is and whether it is worth strengthening it with candles and rituals.

British Shorthair

A cat with a “rich” appearance - this is how the British can be described in a nutshell. Heavy bones, excellent proportions, a cheeky round head with small ears, huge eyes of a necessarily bright shade, a dense fur coat - so dense that the hairs are perpendicular to the skin... The Briton is magnificent in any color! True, there are not so many black British: under the influence of fashion and notorious advertising, fans of the breed prefer the “classics” - blue or silver animals.

This breed is the glory and pride of British breeders; for many decades it has been in the TOP 10 most popular in the world.

Persian

Persians are the embodiment of luxury. They have heavy bones and a “sweet” expression on their faces (by the way, this is a completely official term). The Persian fur coat evokes surprise and admiration, because representatives of other breeds do not have such long and thick fur. Despite the difficulties in caring for a Persian pet that needs to be thoroughly combed every day, this breed has long been at the top of the list of the most popular. Perhaps the meek disposition gained the Persians a lot of fans.

The breed has been actively developing for many decades. So active that now the appearance of Persians is very different from the usual appearance of a mongrel cat. Selection has had a bad effect on their health: they are the leaders in the number of breed-specific diseases.

Scottish lop-eared

How unusual a cat's head without ears looks! More precisely, with ears, but small and tightly pressed to the head. The charming muzzle with round eyes gives the Scots a resemblance to owlets. Representatives of this breed are of medium size, have a fairly dense build, and thick fur - like their ancestors, the British and American Shorthairs. Well, since the feature of the breed and the main concern of the breeders are ears that meet the standards, the color is not important (any color is allowed).

The unique Scottish ears are a manifestation of a random mutation discovered in an ordinary cat on a farm in Scotland in the 60s of the last century. British breeders immediately became interested in the mutation. It soon became clear that the descendants of fold-eared cats have serious health problems. In Great Britain, breeding work was prohibited. But the “owls” attracted not only the British. US breeders have found that kittens will be born completely healthy if one of the parents has normal ears. Therefore, among Scots, about half have normal ears.

Cat colors: what they are and how they are bred

The color of the coat, and this is what should be understood by the color of a cat, is determined by the presence in the structure of the hair of special coloring substances (melanins), whose microscopic grains are present in the hairs in varying quantities, and also have different shapes and sizes.

Eumelanin is responsible for pure black color, the particles of which have an elongated ellipsoidal shape and absorb almost all rays of the spectrum. The synthesis of this pigment is under the control of the B gene (Black - black), which is dominant (suppressive). The saturation of the shade depends on the D gene (Dilutor - diluent). If it is dominant, then the pigment microgranules are packed in the hairs very tightly and closely, so the color of the fur is bright and rich. With the recessive form, there are fewer coloring particles and they are placed more spaciously, which makes the color diluted and faded.

Black color is quite difficult to breed

to obtain an even pitch-colored coat, since both parents must have genes in a dominant position. Most often, the dark color is obtained by accident and is far from ideal. The task of a competent breeder is to correctly select animals for mating in order to obtain the desired result.

For a kitten to be pure black, both parents must also be this color.

The final black shade is not established immediately; kittens often have a lighter undercoat (gray, brownish, etc.). The color changes only after one and a half, and sometimes even two, years of a cat’s life.

The black coat color in cats is not immediately established; small kittens may have a brownish tint

Maine Coon

It is impossible to pass by the Maine Coon indifferent: he has a very large, long, muscular body, powerful paws, a huge tail, signature tassels on his ears, and of course, a unique box-like face. In general, the “correct” Maine Coon is the correct body and massiveness, and only then the color. Therefore, breed standards allow many colors (although not all), including black.

Interesting facts from history

Today, keeping a black cat at home is normal for most. It was once taboo. True, representatives of this color were not always persecuted. When black cats first appeared in Europe, they were highly valued. After all, these animals, brought by the Phoenicians from Egypt, were excellent at catching mice in the dark. Every owner wanted a black cat to live in his house.

Problems began during the Middle Ages. It was the black cat’s ability to successfully hunt at night that became her death sentence. People decided that since an animal can see perfectly in the dark, while remaining unnoticed by others, it means that it is endowed with some kind of superpowers and is an accomplice of evil spirits.

Black cats were stoned to death and burned at the stake. Often together with people, next to whom an animal of this color was seen. Therefore, as soon as the black cat got into the house, the owners were seized with panic.

After all, this threatened them with mortal danger. This is probably where many of the bad omens came from. By the way, even one white hair in the fluffy fur coat could save him from certain death. Only few of the inquisitors bothered to look for them.

In the 19th century, Russia actively traded cat fur with China. Most of all, the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire liked black fur coats. Of course, this could not turn out well for representatives of this color. They were caught en masse in pursuit of the “long ruble.”

Here is another interesting historical fact. It would never even have occurred to the English King Charles the First to throw his black cat into the street. He firmly believed that his pet brought him good luck, and even assigned guards to her. When the cat died of natural causes, the monarch was in despair. Literally the next day he was arrested and executed some time later.

Norwegian forest

A stern-looking, large, muscular cat with thick and long hair is a success and the pride of Norwegian breeders. The ancestors of the breed are inhabitants of the Scandinavian Peninsula, healthy and hardy animals. Therefore, Norwegians can be called one of the healthiest cats. Breed standards allow many of the existing colors, including black.

Cornish Rex

An elegant and energetic cat of medium size, on high legs, with a wedge-shaped muzzle and huge ears. The calling card of the Cornish is its short, curly fur, which runs across the body in spectacular waves. All representatives of the breed are descendants of one outbred cat, born on a farm in Cornwall (Great Britain) in the middle of the last century. The owner of the farm was breeding Rex rabbits, and for some reason this word became part of the name of the new cat breed. And now it is part of the names of all curly-haired breeds. The “quality” of wool waves is much more important than the color of the coat, so the standards allow all existing colors.

Bombay - only black!

This is the only cat breed in the world for which black is the only acceptable color. Bombay is jokingly called a mink coat with copper buttons. The prototype for creating the species was the black panther. The crossing involved an American shorthair and a brown Burmese cat.

Interestingly, to this day, kittens born from representatives of these two breeds can be considered Bombays if they have the necessary external signs:

the head is rounded, without sharp transitions;
muzzle moderately rounded;
the eyes are round and widely spaced;
the protrusion on the bridge of the nose is small, the end of the nose is slightly rounded, forming a smooth profile line;
a firm chin with a correct bite;
ears are medium in size, set straight with a slight tilt forward;
the body and legs are of medium size, in correct proportion;
the paws are round, the tail is straight.

Bombay cats

And, most importantly, the color is only black with a uniform color of hair from roots to tips. The coat becomes smooth and shiny as it matures. Eyes - from gold to copper, the more richness and shine, the better.

As can be seen from the description and photographs, the purebred smooth-haired Bombay is ideally proportioned. He is muscular, distinguished by the beauty of his movements and balanced temperament. The resemblance to the panther is limited to appearance; by nature, Bombays are friendly, intelligent and adapt well to new conditions. The calmness of the American Shorthair is combined with the curiosity and affection of the Burmese.

Bombay cat

Selkirk rex

Nicknames: cat-toy, little bear and cloud are very suitable for Selkirks. These are muscular cats with strong bones, thick short (or semi-long) fur, arranged in picturesque curls. Like their ancestors - the British, Persians and exotics, the Selkirks are calm and good-natured. Selkirk curls are a manifestation of another rex mutation discovered in a mongrel kitten in one of the cat shelters in the USA in the 80s of the last century. The kitten attracted the attention of an experienced breeder, and she decided to breed a new breed. As with the Cornish, the quality of the curls is more important, which is why the Selkirk standards allow all colors.

Canadian Sphynx

It is difficult to imagine that the Sphinx would not attract attention, although not always enthusiastic. But the unpleasant impression immediately disappears as soon as a person strokes it or picks it up. These cats have a very pleasant to the touch, like suede skin, covered with barely noticeable fluff. Sphynxes are cats of medium size and build, quite heavy.

Their history was very complicated, although it began in the same way as all breeds based on random mutations. At the very beginning of breeding (the 60s of the last century in Canada), breeders could not fix the desired trait due to a lack of knowledge and experience. The breed received a second chance in the 70s, when two more outbred hairless cats were discovered in the United States. Sphynx breeders work a lot on the type of animal and the quality of the skin, but its color does not matter.

Black cats in the house. Signs about black cats

Among the Slavic peoples, the black cat is considered an assistant to witches and dark forces. However, according to the Chinese, a black cat protects its owners and the house in which it lives from evil spirits and brings prosperity. And according to Egyptian beliefs, a cat of any color is always a messenger of the gods and divine power.

The most popular signs associated with black cats:

A black purr looking into the house is a sign of quick success. This is exactly what the people of Ireland believe. But in Slavic mythology everything is somewhat different. It is believed that a strange black cat that gets lost and enters a house is a sign of impending trouble.
A black murka crossing the road is a bad sign. This sign is still relevant today. Therefore, in order to neutralize and protect against possible troubles, a person who encounters a black purr on the way is recommended to spit over his left shoulder 3 times or wait until someone else passes along this path. By the way, few people know this sign completely. It turns out that it is only half correct. So, if a black cat crosses the path of a representative of the fair sex from left to right, this promises her to receive money or a valuable gift. For men, the lucky direction is from the right side to the left.
A black cat on a ship is a sign of a successful journey and an easy road. It is for this reason that black cats have always been revered among sailors.
The presence of a mustachioed tabby with a black fur coat in the house promises fame and financial prosperity for the owners, a rich husband for young women, and a huge number of fans. This is what the people of Scotland believe and strive to keep black pets at home.
A black cat sneezing near the bride promises the couple a long and happy life together.

Turkish Angora

How strong are the stereotypes! This elegant medium-sized cat, with long legs, a wedge-shaped head, very soft thin fur and a long fluffy tail, is associated only with a white fur coat. However, standards allow different colors, including black.

The Turkish Angora is one of the oldest cat breeds, almost extinct in the middle of the last century. There were various reasons for this, including the enormous popularity of the Persians. But enthusiasts were able to restore the breed, and now it is the national pride of Turkey.

Is it possible to keep a black cat at home? Why can't you kill?

For most people, killing animals is an unnatural and extremely cruel act.

Why cats should not be killed can be explained from several points of view:

It has always been common for humans to kill animals: for food, for home improvement, for making clothes and accessories, and simply to demonstrate their superiority. But from a psychological point of view, killing cats is a special kind of cruelty. In our culture, they take the place of a person’s friends, sometimes they are full-fledged family members. There is an opinion that whoever raises his hand against a cat can harm a person. And this is not an unfounded assertion;
From a scientific point of view, if you destroy cats, the population of mice and rats will certainly increase. And this threatens humanity with serious troubles. History knows many examples when rodents became the cause of famine and terrible epidemics;
In the religion of Ancient Egypt, cats were deified. Anyone who harmed her would face the death penalty. However, in other religious movements these animals are given a special place. For example, a cat cannot be kicked out of an Orthodox church (unlike a dog), it cannot desecrate the altar with its presence;
many signs also speak of dire consequences for the one who offended the cat. One of them claims that a person who kills a cat bears the black mark of evil, and for seven years he will be haunted by grief and misfortune.

Siberian

The Siberian cat is the first and most famous Russian breed, existing for more than 20 years. During this time, Siberians became popular not only in Russia, but also in many other countries. Which is not surprising - the cat looks like an inhabitant of the taiga: strong, muscular, wearing a chic fur coat with a fluffy collar and a tail resembling a voluminous feather. Siberians are also smart, sociable and friendly. Breed standards allow many colors, including black.

So, it is quite possible to purchase a black kitten of a specific breed. But in order for this color to please the eye, you need to follow some rules. The fact is that some colors of cat coats (including black) are easily damaged by sunlight. The fur takes on a rusty tint, which gives the cat an unkempt appearance. Some breeders claim that brightly colored foods in a pet's diet (carrots, pumpkin, beets) also give the black color a dirty-brown tint.

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Features of caring for a black cat

As a rule, black cats have stronger immunity than their light counterparts. Felinologists believe that this is due to a special combination of genes that gives the animal not only a black color, but also good health. However, the pet still needs care, no matter how strong it is.

every cat needs care, even a black one

Before you take your kitten home, make sure that the conditions are suitable for the animal. Black cats love to roam, so if the house has open windows, vents and other access to the street, then they need to be closed. You should also prepare a sleeping area and a play area. The bed or house must be installed so that the cat can clearly see the entire room from its place. A house or bed should be chosen based on the size and characteristics of the animal. For example, a Don Sphynx will be warmer in a house than on a bed, and a Maine Coon will not fit in a small house, so he needs to buy a crib for his growth.

An important attribute for cats are toys. There should be many of them, they should be different. If you are not sure that the cat will like the entertainment offered, then watch it for a couple of days. Pay attention to any objects the animal pays special attention to (a houseplant, a children's ball, shoe laces, etc.). This way you will quickly understand your preferences and buy good toys. The main thing is that they are of high quality; small parts must be firmly fixed (a cat can swallow a part that falls off).

My sister's black cat (Donut) is phlegmatic to the core. He ignores any toys, he is not interested in looking out the window. But I believe that such behavior is a sign of intelligence. The cat does not lie on the sofa all day; he can watch TV (he especially loves cartoons) and watch the washing machine. His favorite pastime is the fluffy fur from his winter jacket (fastened to the hood). Donut brings this piece of fur and puts it next to him while watching TV, if after that the cat needs to go to the kitchen, but he always takes the fur trap with him.

Black cats have a keen intelligence, so they need a special approach

Caring for the appearance of cats consists of several activities. In order not to forget the schedule and rules for their implementation, you can print out the following list for yourself:

Eyes should be wiped with a cotton pad soaked in distilled water or strong tea (every day).
The ears should be examined and, if necessary, cleaned with a cotton swab dipped in Vaseline (once a week).
You can brush your teeth with a small toothbrush with a special toothpaste or other special products: gel, spray, etc. (once a month).
Trim the claws with a nail clipper once every 2 weeks, if you have a scratching post - once every three weeks (cut off no more than 1-2 mm).

The pet may be unhappy that you are encroaching on its sharp claws. In this case, the cat must first be calmed; you can pet it or talk to it. Some owners put a clean sock on their pet's head so that the animal does not see what is happening around. I put her blouse on the cat, but I don’t put her paws in the sleeves. This way the cat is immobilized, but does not try to break free and run away. But she sees what is happening around her, so she is not afraid. I think that a cat with its eyes closed can be afraid.

Video: how and with what to brush your cat’s teeth

Black coat care

Features of caring for the hair of different cats depend on the breed of the particular animal. So hairless cats (for example, the Don Sphynx) do not need to be combed at all. Hairless cats have to produce more energy (to stay warm), so they sweat more than other cats. Such animals should be wiped with a damp cloth. Some owners of hairless cats wipe their cat every day. However, hairless animals often get cold, they can get sick from a draft or cold floor, so after wet procedures your pet needs to be dressed warmly.

Cats with fur coats will have to be combed. Typically, smooth-haired cats are combed using a special rubber mitten or a brush with soft bristles. The procedure should be carried out twice a week.

And there are some cats that are not usually called long-haired, but due to their thick undercoat they can become covered with tangles. For example, Manx cats try to care for their coats without human help, but during the molting period they fail. Such animals need to be combed out especially carefully, and after each procedure you can go over the fur with a comb. Such animals are bathed as their fur becomes dirty (no more than 2 times a year). To keep your cat's coat as shiny as before, you need to use only special shampoos and conditioners designed for cats.

To make an animal's fur shine, you need to use only special products for caring for animal hair.

Independent cats, such as Maine Coons, cope with their fur coat on their own; it is enough to brush the cat once a week with a brush-comb. Usually Maine Coons treat the combing procedure with understanding, so problems should not arise.

All cats (regardless of breed) relate to brushing differently. I saw a cat who loved to be brushed every day. She specially came to the mistress’s lap and lay down so that it would be convenient to comb her. At the same time, she purred loudly and squinted contentedly. This means that the attitude towards combing depends on the cat’s character and upbringing. The sooner you start accustoming your cat to a brush, the more gently it will react to it in the future.

Owners of long-haired cats face the most difficult grooming procedure. Breeds such as the Persian cat have both guard hair and a thick downy undercoat. The owner needs to ensure that the outer hair is shiny and the down hair is not tangled. To do this, the cat needs to be brushed daily. Every evening you will have to devote at least 15 minutes to the cat’s fur. A brush is powerless in the case of Persians. Combing black Persian fur can be done in several stages:

Light combing with a wide-tooth comb (to straighten hair).
Combing with a slicker brush or a brush with metal teeth (with a drop).
Treat the wool with a fine-toothed comb (so that the hairs settle down).

Long-haired cats can be bathed up to 4 times a year. However, it is not recommended to use products intended for humans. After bathing, the cat should be blotted with a towel and allowed to dry naturally. Some owners use a hairdryer to dry their fur babies, but the hot air can make the animal's fur dull and brittle. Particularly fluffy cats can be treated with special products to make combing easier. Such sprays can be found at any pet store.

The difficulty of grooming depends on the type of coat

It is recommended to stroke curly cats with a wet hand after brushing. This way, curly hairs will settle into neat and shiny waves. In order for your cat's black coat to look healthy and neat, the pet must receive a sufficient amount of protein, trace elements and vitamins. In addition, direct sunlight and high humidity should be avoided.