Halloween is all about dressing up in costumes and carving pumpkins, but add a black cat and you kick up the spooky factor.
Black Cat Breeds We’re excited every time we get a new reservation for a black cat at Rock the Cat Spa because we have found that these guys and gals are the friendliest, goofiest, and most chill cats ever. We have spent time with black cats of several breeds: Domestic Shorthair and Longhair, Maine Coon, Munchkin, and Bombay, but there are plenty more breeds with a black variety. The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) officially recognizes 22 breeds of solid black cats. Black Cat Genetics Earlier this month in the blog, we explained the genetics of orange cats and their tabby markings. Solid black coats also come down to the genes; solid cats have a recessive gene which prevents any stripes or markings. Having the recessive gene is not always the case, however, and we have seen black cats with dark gray stripes. Black cat coats also come in a variety of shades, such as jet black, brownish black, and tones of grayish black. We once met a black cat who had white roots on his black fur! That particular variation is called “black smoke,” and is very unique. Most black cats are male and may have gorgeous yellow, golden, or green colored eyes. They come in a range of sizes: short, tall, big, or small, and we have seen all varieties! (Including one who was 24lbs of love). A Spooky History Due to some unusual beliefs, black cats are considered a bad omen or bad luck by some people. In the 1600s the idea that witches had black cats developed, and they were thought to be bad, so black cats were not welcome. Unfortunately, these beliefs and superstitions followed them, and still today shelters tend to hold more black cats than others, and they usually stay there longer. Most shelters also do not allow black cat adoptions in October, out of concern for superstitious adopters, but some have “Black Friday” specials, or host adoption events, to show how amazing and adoptable these little panthers are! While the Pilgrims of the 1600s believed black cats to be bad luck, in other countries, they are considered good luck. In Scotland, for example, money is on your way if a black cat is on your doorstep. A single woman is looked at as more attractive if she has a black cat in Japan, and contrary to US superstitions, Germans believe that if a black cat crosses your path, it is good luck. We love these positive black cat beliefs! A Day of their Own Sinbad was a black cat, who was beloved by his owner. He was the catalyst for the creation of National Black Cat Appreciation Day on August 17th. The day reminds us of the excellence and importance of black cats, continues to rid them of prejudice, and encourages people to make room in their lives and homes for them. We think they should be celebrated every day, and there should be no bad beliefs against these sweet, loving, elegant kitties! (Today’s blog features our silly, energetic friend Raven!)
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That crisp fall feeling is in the air here in Upstate NY. A time when we watch the Syracuse University Orangemen play football, and witness the beautiful leaves turn incredible colors. As the leaves turn from a bright green to shades of autumn, and we sip our pumpkin lattes, we think that learning more about orange cats would be perfect for this month and season. Let’s go orange!
How are orange cats unique? We’ve all heard of Pareto’s Principle of 80/20, and orange cats are no exception: 80% are male, and only 20% are female. One of our hotel guests here at Rock The Cat Spa is a lovely little lady who has beautiful stripes and green eyes, and the rest of the marmalade crew are male. How do genetics play into orange cat gender? The simple genetic explanation is that females need XX chromosomes, while males need XY. The coat color for a cat is linked to genetics, and since males only need one X chromosome, they get their ginger coloring from their mama. Also, female cats with their XX genes have double the B gene that is found in the X chromosome, and this B gene causes red coloring in the fur called pheomelanin. This coloring is dominant, so since males only need one X, odds are higher to have an orange male instead of an orange female. Since the B gene carries the ginger shade, to have a female orange cat, she must have a fully orange father, and a mother who is a tortoise shell, calico, or ginger. Genetics can result in many different colors, but these particular genetic recipes are required for an orange kitty. Orange cats are always tabbies! Diving further into the gene pool, we also learn that you will never see a solid orange cat. Like never. Ever. Tabby cats have a dominant gene called the agouti gene, which is what determines the kitty’s coat, and can be recessive or dominant. A solid coat color comes only from two recessive genes working together to block stripes and markings. As we mentioned, since orange cats have the dominant agouti gene, they have stripes and can never be solid. The stripes can show up as different patterns, such as classic (swirls), ticked (light and dark bands), spotted, or mackerel (tiger stripes). Colors can range from light to dark with brown, black and cream accents. Always remember that not all tabby cats are orange, but all orange cats are tabbies. Tabby is not a breed, but the pattern of the cat’s coat. What breeds can be orange? While you may initially think of orange tabbies as Domestic Longhairs or Domestic Shorthairs, orange cats can be found in many breeds. At the Cat Spa, we know a stunning show cat who is a purebred Maine Coon. He has the fullest, fluffiest tail that we have ever seen; a real showstopper! We have also seen orange cat varieties with British Shorthairs, Scottish Folds and Persians, but the color may also be found in Rexes, Manx, Munchkin, Exotic Shorthair, Norwegian Forest Cat, and even more! More Unique Characteristics Orange cats tend to be taller and larger than most other cats, and have a variety of personalities; they are as unique as any human you will meet. You will love their gold or amber eyes, and they frequently have freckles on their nose and mouth! Fall in love with an orange cat any season of the year, and you won’t regret it when you cozy up together. (Today's photo features our orange friend Copper). |
AuthorWhen Cari has some free time from all the kitties, she likes to share her knowledge of all things cat in this bi-monthly blog. Enjoy the read! Archives
June 2024
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