5 myths and facts about cat colours: What you should know about the colours of your cat's coat

Cats are fascinating creatures with a mysterious aura, and every cat is unique – especially when it comes to their coat colour. However, there are many myths and superstitions surrounding their various colours and patterns. Some believe that a cat's coat colour determines its personality or even its fate. But is there any truth behind these myths? In this article, we will get to the bottom of the most common cat colours and clarify the most important myths and facts.

5 myths and superstitions about cat colours

There are numerous myths and superstitions surrounding the coat colours of cats. Some of them are harmless, while others are deeply rooted in history and are still being passed on to this day.

Black cats bring bad luck
Black cats are probably one of the most famous and controversial colours of cat. In many Western cultures, they are often associated with bad luck and superstition – especially when encountered on the street. In other cultures, such as Japan, however, black cats are considered a lucky charm. In fact, there is no scientific proof that black cats bring more misfortune than others. They are found in many cat breeds and are just as affectionate as cats of any other colour.
Tortoiseshell cats are particularly stubborn
Tortoiseshell cats are known for their striking, marbled fur, which is a mixture of black, orange and sometimes brown. It is said that tortoiseshell cats are particularly stubborn and difficult to train. While there are indeed some reports that tortoiseshell cats are more independent, this trait is not just due to their coat colour. Their colouring is associated with creativity and a touch of magic, which makes them mystical companions.
White is the colour of the ‘perfect’ cat:
A common notion is that white cats are particularly pure or ‘perfect’. These cats are often associated with innocence and elegance, but in reality the coat colour says nothing about a cat's character or health. In fact, white cats are often genetically more susceptible to hearing loss, especially in certain breeds.
Grey cats are particularly calm
Grey cats, especially the Chartreux or British Shorthair, are often considered particularly calm. Although they are usually more reserved than other cats, this will also vary depending on the cat's personality.
Tabby cats are more aggressive
The belief that tabby cats are more aggressive than others is widespread. But even here, no scientific basis can be found. The personality of a cat is individual and has little to do with the coat pattern.

Dream interpretation: What does dreaming of black cats mean?

Dream interpretation plays an important role in many cultures. Seeing a cat in a dream can have different meanings. It can stand for independence and freedom as well as for secrets and intuition. Black cats in dreams tend to be interpreted as a symbol of change or secrets, while white cats symbolise purity and clarity. The meaning depends strongly on the context of the dream and the personal life situation.

5 facts about cat colours:

Although there are many myths about the colour of our feline friends’ fur, there are some facts that can be derived from cat colours.

1. Ginger cats are mostly male: The majority of ginger cats are tomcats. This is due to genetics. The ginger coat colour is inherited via an X chromosome, and since tomcats only have one X chromosome, they are much more likely to be ginger. Female cats have two X chromosomes, so they need to inherit the ‘ginger’ X chromosome from both parents to also have a ginger coat. This means that only about 20% of ginger cats are female. So, female ginger cats are relatively rare.

2. Tortoiseshell cats are almost always female: Again, it is due to the X chromosome.To get the tortoiseshell pattern, a mix of black and ginger hues, a cat must have two different X chromosomes – one for the black colour and one for ginger. Since female cats have two X chromosomes, they can have both colours (black and ginger) at the same time and display the typical tortoiseshell pattern. On the other hand, male cats only have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome, which means that they can have either black or red, but not both colours at the same time. Therefore, male tortoiseshell cats are extremely rare and only occur if they have a genetic abnormality, such as Klinefelter syndrome, in which they have two X chromosomes instead of one X and one Y. However, such male tortoiseshell cats are an exception and only occur in very few cases.

3. White cats often have blue eyes: Since the white coat colour is related to ‘dominant white genetics’, they often have blue eyes. These cats have a higher proportion of genes responsible for their coat colour, and these often influence eye colour. However, white cats can also have yellow, green, or amber eyes. In some cases, the genetic abnormality that is responsible for the white coat also leads to deafness.

4. There are blue cats: Grey cats are found in many breeds and are often referred to as the ‘blue’ variant (e.g. Russian blue). This colour is caused by a special gene mutation that makes the coat appear in a bluish grey. Brown cats, such as the Burmese or Bombay, have a rich brown tone caused by the gene for ‘chocolate’ colouring. These hues may be associated with specific breeds and their specific genetic patterns.

5. The most common cat coat colour in the world is tabby: This colour variant is very common and can be found in many different cat breeds. The tabby pattern includes several variants, including classic tabby, mackerel tabby and spotted tabby. About 80% of cats, especially domestic cats, carry a tabby pattern as it is genetically dominant. This pattern can also be combined with other colours such as black, grey, brown or ginger.

What coat colour says about the breed

The coat colour of a cat can certainly give some clues to its cat breed. But in practice, there are many exceptions. It is possible for a cat to be a certain colour without belonging to a certain breed. For example, there are tabby cats that are not purebred and vice versa. A cat that is kept as a domestic cat can have a variety of colours and patterns. The coat colour alone does not say much about the breed – genetic factors and breeding history also play a role here.

Cat Colours: A matter of taste

The coat colours of our four-legged friends are the result of their colour genetics. Contrary to some myths, the colours say little about the character of cats, but they naturally have a significant influence on their charisma. Which colours appeal to us in particular depends above all on our personal preferences and tastes.