Entirely or primarily black cats will be less likely adopted—and more likely euthanized—than cats of other colors.
Black cats seem to be the most common coat color and sadly also the least desirable at adoption time. In fact, black cats are half as likely to find a home than a cat of another color. Why is this? Superstition?
And the # 1 reason to adopt a black cat is that Black Cats are the least likely to get adopted!
According to that same Priceonomics study, tuxedo cats—meaning black and white—get adopted at lower rates than any other color. Gray cats and orange tabbies get adopted at the highest rates, according to their numbers.
People think that black cats are less friendly and more aggressive. On average, black cats were rated as less friendly (M = 35.46, SD = 7.29) than non-black cats (M = 37.10, SD = 7.11), and more aggressive (M = 20.86, SD = 8.09) than non-black cats (M = 19.31, SD = 6.95).
What color cat is the most popular? While not definitive, surveys reveal that the most popular cat colors in the U.S. include orange tabbies and tuxedo-colored cats (black and white).
Loyal: Black cats make loving family members. They love to cuddle and play. They might even meow to you over the phone when you are away from home. Black cats are wonderful at being both friendly to all and dedicated to their person/people.
In the same study, white cats were reported to be perceived as less active, shyer and calmer than other cats.
Orange cats were regarded as the friendliest by respondents, while white cats were labeled aloof, and tortoiseshell cats were thought to have too much "attitude."
1. Sokoke Cat. The Sokoke Cat is the rarest domestic cat breed in the world, according to the UK's Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF).
Some of the least affectionate breeds of cats include the American Wirehair, Korat, Singapura and Cymric. “The American Wirehair tends to be pretty reserved and quiet, which some would consider not particularly affectionate. The Korat is somewhat passive and can be spooked easily by loud noises.
Black and white cats take the longest time to rehome
This could be because they're more common but it does tend to be the ginger and tabbies that have the unusual distinctive markings making them look more attractive to some.
If you have a busy schedule, are an inexperienced pet owner, or have young children, consider adopting an adult cat over 1 year of age. Young cats require more supervision, training, and visits to the veterinarian.
Tuxedo cats (black/white, gray/white) topped the rankings, scoring in the top percentile of all categories. Beautiful and loving, tuxedos enjoy humans, respect their surroundings, and never miss when nature calls!
Black Is the Most Common Feline Coat Color
It is not a glitch in the matrix; black is actually the most common coat color among felines. The gene for expressing eumelanin—the pigment needed to make black fur—is dominant in black cats. A cat usually gets two copies of a gene, one from mom and one from dad.
Orange tabby cats are usually male.
In fact, up to 80 percent of orange tabbies are male, making orange female cats a bit of a rarity. According to the BBC's Focus Magazine, the ginger gene in cats works a little differently compared to humans; it is on the X chromosome.
Burmese are often considered to be the most affectionate cat breed. They love being with people at all times and crave close physical contact, making them the ultimate companion cat for a devoted family. They will follow their owner from room to room and prefer to cuddle up on the sofa or sleep in bed with them.
Perhaps it's evolution or part of being worshipped in other cultures for so may years, but black cats are very friendly. Those who have owned black cats report the silky felines being very easy-going, calm, and tolerant of children and other animals. They don't startle easily and are great companions.
Blue and violet are the most calming colors to cats. These colors can actually help reduce stress in your cat. They are the preferred shades in veterinary offices because of how cats react to them.
Male cats tend to be more social and affectionate with both humans and other cats. They commonly form strong bonds with other cats in the home, even when they are not from the same litter. Females, on the other hand, are often more standoffish.
While they can definitely be either male or female, due to some genetic mystery, there are more male black cats than females.
Being picked up is a very unnatural position for a cat, and in the wild would usually indicate a predator grabbing them rather than a friend. So it is a perfectly normal instinctive response if the cat struggles to get away, or freezes.
If your cat doesn't like to cuddle, don't take it personally. Some cats just don't like being picked up, or aren't physically affectionate. That doesn't mean he doesn't love you! Nevertheless, it's frustrating when you want to hug and squeeze him and he's just not interested.
Overall, orange cats and bi-colored cats were characterized as friendly, while black cats, white cats and tri-colored cats were regarded as more antisocial. White cats were considered to be more shy, lazy and calm, while tortoiseshell cats were more likely to be depicted as both more intolerant and more trainable.