Manx
Manx cats do not have tails due to a genetic mutation acquired through breeding. They get their name from their homeland, the Isle of Man, off the coast of Britain. This breed can also be found in white, red, blue, cream or silver.
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Why cats are born completely black
There is a simple answer to the question “why are cats born black?” A special pigment, melanin, is responsible for this color. Animals have cells called melanocytes. Melanin bound to protein is deposited in these cells. Melanin is a product of oxidation of the amino acid tyrosine. There are several types of melanins; eumelanin is responsible for brown and black color.
A special pigment is responsible for the black color of cats
There are cats that are born black, but they have white or gray spots - interspersed with lighter hair. And some cats are born completely black, the nose and paw pads are black, but there are no light spots on the body. Heredity is responsible for this feature. Parents with black coloring give birth to black kittens, and if at least one of the parents is a carrier of the genes responsible for white or red color, then a kitten with spots of a lighter color may appear in the litter.
American Curl
The most characteristic feature of the breed are the charming ears, which are the result of a spontaneous natural mutation. This breed is especially fond of children, probably because it loves to play and socialize (and doesn't like to be left alone).
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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.
Oriental
The Oriental was created by using Siamese cats as a base and crossing them with American and British Shorthairs, Abyssinians, Russian Blues and domestic cats. With his triangular face, high ears and slender legs, the Oriental is unmistakable, although he has the same loving, intelligent personality as a Siamese cat.
Black cat breeds
Black color can be in any breed of cat. Most often, yard cats are born black, but a purebred cat can also have it, since black is the basic color of animals.
Interesting: in cities, outbred cats are most often born black. There are several versions of why this happens. One of them is that city cats needed to survive at any cost, and black fur blends best with the concrete landscape. The second version says that the village people are more superstitious, they exterminated most of the black cats.
there are more black cats in cities than in rural areas
Some people choose a cat breed in which black is the only color possible, or is one of the most common colors for a particular breed. Let's look at a few of these breeds.
Bombay cat
The Bombay breed was bred artificially. A distinctive feature of these cats is their exclusively black fur, shiny and dense. There cannot be a single light hair on the body of a Bombay cat. Bombay cats look elegant and graceful, but they can weigh up to 6 kg. Their body is muscular, slightly elongated, their chest is wide, and their tail is long and straight. The limbs of these black cats are slender, of medium length, and the paws are small and rounded. The Bombay has a long neck and a medium sized head, but in proportion to the body.
The head of a Bombay cat is unusually beautiful. Her chin is strong, so her muzzle seems a little elongated. The forehead is rounded and the nose is short and wide. The stop of these cats is pronounced, but the Bombay cannot be called snub-nosed. The cat's ears are medium in size, with rounded tips and slightly tilted forward. The most beautiful thing about Bombay black cats is their large, expressive eyes. Eye color can vary from greenish amber to rich copper. By the way, Bombay kittens are born blue-eyed, but then their eyes gain color and become red.
The shape of the face distinguishes the Bombay from other cats
Bombay cats are true intellectuals. They quickly and clearly remember the daily routine of family members, always get up on the alarm clock and meet their owners at the door at the right time. They love to be played with, but if left alone, they will not feel sad and bored, because they will find something to do for themselves. However, there will be no chaos in the house, as Bombay people are very neat.
These black beauties get along well with children, they understand that a little person is also a member of the family, so they will not offend the baby even when he causes discomfort to the cat. Such a pet will hide from the child if it is tired, but does not show aggression. Although Bombays cannot be called quiet, they can growl menacingly. This behavior can occur if the cat is attacked by another cat. The Bombay cat will find a common language with most other pets, although he will try to become a leader in the house.
Black Manx cats
Manx cats are memorable at first sight. They have a short body, double coat and a “square” muzzle. The peculiarity of this breed is a very short tail (or its complete absence), although Manx cats are sometimes born with a tail of normal length. Round tailless cats cannot be called heavyweights; their average weight reaches only 4 kg. The Manx cat's head is round, the cheekbones are prominent, the nose is slightly elongated, and the ears are triangular. The Manx's eyes are almond-shaped and slightly slanted, and the eye color usually matches the animal's coat.
Most Manx cats are born with a short, pom-pom-shaped tail.
Manx cats become affectionate and devoted friends of their owners. They are surprisingly sociable and obedient; the short-tailed cat understands its owner perfectly. Manx cats love all family members, but they try to get the attention of only one person - their owner. The Manx cat gets along well with children. Even if the child offends the cat, the animal will not release its claws. Manx also divide all animals into friends and foes. They are friends with dogs, but they will catch mice. Short-tailed Manx received the ability to hunt from their Aboriginal ancestors.
Heredity also explains the love of some Manx cats for water. The animal does not like to swim, but will happily play with water flowing from the tap. Some Manx owners claim that they have taught their pet to flush the toilet. These animals are extremely inquisitive; nothing can hide from their inquisitive gaze. Manx can climb any tall object that seems curious to him.
Don Sphynx
The Don Sphynx is a breed of slender, hairless cats with large ears. Despite their apparent fragility, sphinxes have a strong and muscular body. The back of the body seems more massive and heavier than the front. The limbs of hairless cats are long, even the fingers are elongated. The tail is straight, the tip is slightly rounded. There is no fur on such cats, and occasionally cats are born with a little fluff. The skin of Don cats is elastic, reminiscent of suede. A cat's skin always has many folds, but it is pleasant to stroke such a cat - it feels like velvet. The sphinx's muzzle is cheekbones and short. The nose is medium in size, and the eyes are almond-shaped and slightly slanted, but large. Eye color can be any: brown, red, green and even blue.
Don Sphynxes are most often completely hairless
I know two families in which sphinxes live. In one family, everyone is allergic, so they got a hairless cat. And in another family, a child begged for the Sphinx. Surprisingly, in both cases there were disputes over the choice of breed. Adults called Sphynx cats “inside out cats,” but over time, these cats became everyone’s favorites. Despite some difficulties in keeping them, now the owners of sphinxes will not agree to exchange their cats for any others.
Don Sphynxes are very curious and active. They never sit in one place, they always need to see everything, they need to participate in everything. The Sphinx always demands the attention of its owner, trying to jump onto its owner's lap at the first opportunity. Some owners claim that the Don hairless cat is too persistent and annoying, but this is how the pet shows its love. This pet gets along well with children, because the child will be happy to play with an active cat. Usually sphinxes get along with other animals.
Black Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is one of the largest domestic cats. A male can weigh up to 15 kg or more (females are slightly smaller). Coons have a muscular, elongated body and a medium-length neck. The paws are of medium length, powerful, with tufts of hair between the toes. The tail is long, fluffy, up to 50 cm long. The head of a large cat is massive, with high-set triangular ears. The most beautiful thing about a large Maine Coon is its look. Kun's eyes cannot be called particularly large, but his gaze is expressive. The Maine Coon's fur is thick and soft.
Maine Coons are one of the largest cats
Maine Coons are peaceful and friendly cats. They are very neat and careful. Kun is not lazy to get around the obstacle; such a cat will not cause a mess in the house. Big cats are very smart and sometimes show wisdom that humans are not capable of. If a small child annoys an animal, the cat will react to the person as if he understands that he is just a child. Maine Coons show remarkable training abilities, understanding voice commands and gestures. Despite all his impressiveness, the coon always remains affectionate and loving.
Persian cat
Persian cats are sometimes called baby-faced cats. This is due to the fact that the distinctive feature of the Persians is their wide, snub nose. Persian cats appear large due to their short but muscular legs, powerful neck and large back. The chest of these cats is also large. The head of snub-nosed cats is large and wide, the ears are small and rounded. The Persian cat's eyes are expressive and round. Black Persians almost always have yellow or orange eyes.
Long and thick hair is the main wealth of the Persian cat. The villi can reach 20 cm in length. It is thin and silky, similar to down, but very thick. Persian wool brings a lot of trouble to its owners, but it also brings joy.
Persians are distinguished by their unique muzzle and long, rich coat
The Persian cat is ideal for the person who sees a cat as a sofa friend. Persians are sociable, but a little lazy. They are in contact with all family members, including children. They are loving and devoted to their person. However, a snub-nosed cat cannot be called cheerful and carefree. She is afraid of loneliness and suffers from lack of attention. If you separate a Persian from its owner, the cat may get sick. Persians don’t get too much affection, because they themselves are non-aggressive and affectionate, so they expect reciprocity. Persian cats also have one peculiarity: they rarely meow, even if they really need something. The fluffy cat will try to look into the person’s eyes, and the owner must guess for himself what the pet is asking for.
Black Devon Rex
Devon Rex is an unusual slender cat with curly hair. Devon Rex cats have a slender, muscular body, thin neck, high paws and a long tail. Rexes have a large, slightly flattened head. The muzzle of these cats is also unusual. They have high cheekbones, large, almost elfin ears and expressive eyes. Rexes can be any color, but black cats have yellowish or green eyes.
Interesting fact: in the Rex breed, even pure black cats have silver or copper-colored fur. The fact is that the fibers of Rex hair are very soft, and instead of curls on the sides and back of the cat, the hair lies in waves. These waves reflect light in such a way that some kind of shade is formed.
A distinctive feature of the Devon Rex is its curly fur.
Rexes are curious and energetic. They want to know everything in detail. Devon Rexes are real explorers; they will try to study every new object in the house, every corner. They treat new people in the same way. Rexes love their owners and try to show all the love and affection they can. They are socialized and adapted to life in urban environments. But such a cat cannot be called intrusive or annoying.
Mister Cat talks: myths and omens
Over the centuries of existence next to humans, black cats have been persecuted and destroyed more than once. Scientists have discovered a pattern that these pets always have a more docile and peaceful character. Biologists attribute this to the fact that in this way nature is trying to protect this type of color from complete extermination and extinction.
There are many stories, myths and legends associated with coal cats:
- In Ancient Egypt, black cats were worshiped and considered servants of the cult of the goddess Baset.
- During the years of the Inquisition, medieval Europe practically exterminated the entire population of black cats. They were considered the embodiment of the witch's soul and were burned at the stake.
- It is still customary to turn back or spit over your shoulder three times if a black cat crosses the road. The appearance of a strange black cat in the house is considered a sign of trouble. And in Ireland, these facts, on the contrary, serve as lucky omens - if a black cat crosses the road or enters the house, it is good luck.
- The owner of a black cat in England is credited with love and a large number of fans.
- In Scotland and Australia, these pets are believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the home.
- In Russia, black cats have always been the best defenders against thieves and the most successful hunters.
- Sailors treat any cat on board with love, but if it is a black animal, then it is believed that the voyage will be successful.
Read more in the article about signs about black cats.
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