black cat personality: myths, quirks and what they're really like
It's October, which means pumpkins on doorsteps, Adoptober at rescue centres, and black cats everywhere: in shop windows, on decorations, riding broomsticks across greetings cards. It's the one month of the year black cats are the star of the show, and also the month their reputation does them the most harm.
So before Halloween, we wanted to set the record straight. Do black cats really have a different personality?
There's no good evidence that black cats have a different personality from any other cat. A black cat can be shy, bold, cuddly or aloof, just like a tabby or a ginger, depending on their genes, early life and experiences. What black cats do have is a reputation, and a few genuine quirks that come with that coat.
Here's what's myth, what's real, and what you'll notice if you share a home with one.
Do black cats have a different personality?
Not as far as anyone can tell. What research does show is that people expect them to.
In a 2012 study from UC Berkeley, 189 cat owners rated cats of different colours on traits like friendly, shy and aloof. Orange cats were seen as the friendliest. Black cats were described with "less extreme character traits", and grouped with the cats seen as less sociable.
The key point is that the study measured what people believe, not how cats actually behave. As the lead researcher put it, "there is little evidence that these perceived differences between differently coloured cats actually exist, but there are serious repercussions for cats if people believe that some cat colours are friendlier than others."
Those repercussions are real, and we'll come back to them.
Black cat myths vs reality
Myth: black cats are unlucky. It depends where you are. In much of Europe and the US, black cats have long been linked with bad luck. But in UK folklore they've traditionally been a sign of good luck, and the RSPCA has said as much. In Scotland, a black cat turning up at your door was said to bring prosperity. In Japan, black cats are considered lucky too, and sailors used to want a black ship's cat on board for a safe voyage.
Myth: black cats are witches' cats. The association goes back to medieval Europe. A 13th-century papal text, the Vox in Rama, described a demonic ritual involving a black cat, and the idea stuck. During the witch trials, cats, especially black ones, were caught up in the same suspicion as the women who kept them. It's a dark bit of history, and it's a big part of why black cats are still linked with Halloween today.
Myth: black cats are more aloof. There's no evidence for this. As the Berkeley study shows, it's a perception, not a trait.
Reality: black cats are just cats. Some are lap cats, some are explorers, some will only tolerate you at dinner time. The coat tells you nothing about which you're getting.
Quirks of living with (or sitting) a black cat
Personality aside, there are a few things that really are different about black cats.
They vanish. On a dark sofa, under a bed, in an unlit hallway at night: black cats are experts at disappearing. Any black cat owner has stepped on a tail at least once. For a sitter, it means a quick head count can take a while, so knowing their favourite hiding spots helps.
They "rust" in the sun. A black coat can turn a reddish-brown after lots of time in sunlight, because the pigment breaks down. It's usually harmless. If it happens without much sun, mention it to your vet, as diet can occasionally play a part.
Ghost stripes. Many solid black cats show faint tabby markings in the right light. They're there in the genes, just hidden.
Those eyes. Most black cats have golden or amber eyes, which stand out all the more against the dark fur.
They're famously hard to photograph. More on that below.
Only one breed, the Bombay, is exclusively black. Most black cats you'll meet are moggies, and every one is different.
How to photograph a black cat
If you've ever taken a photo of your black cat and got a dark blob with two eyes, you're not alone. A few things help:
Use natural light. Near a window in the daytime is best. Avoid shooting with a bright window behind them.
Pick a light background. A cream blanket or a pale floor makes their outline show up.
Turn the flash off. It flattens the fur and turns eyes into glowing dots.
Tap to focus on their eyes, then drag the brightness up slightly on your phone.
Use portrait mode if you have it. It separates them from the background.
We care about this more than most. At nestr, every sitter visit includes timestamped photo check-ins, so owners can see their cat is fed and well. If your cat is black, we promise to try harder than "dark blob, possibly asleep".
Black cats and adoption
This is where the myths stop being harmless. Rescue centres often say black cats wait longer to be adopted, partly because of old superstitions, and partly because they're harder to photograph for adoption listings.
It's why Cats Protection celebrates Black Cat Day every year on 27 October, to give black cats a bit of the spotlight they're usually denied.
If you're thinking about adopting this Adoptober, consider the black cat in the corner of the pen.
Black cats: quick answers
Do black cats have a specific personality? No. There's no reliable evidence that coat colour determines personality. Each black cat is an individual.
Are black cats friendlier? Some are very friendly, some aren't. People often assume black cats are aloof, but that's perception rather than fact.
Why is my black cat turning brown? Usually it's "rusting" from time in the sun. If it happens without much sun exposure, it's worth asking your vet.
Are black cats lucky or unlucky? In UK folklore, black cats have traditionally been lucky. The "unlucky" idea is more common in the US and parts of Europe.
Do black cats really wait longer to be adopted? Many rescue centres report that they do, especially around Halloween and in photo-led adoption listings.