Are Black Cats Dumb – Here’s The Facts

There’s never a shortage of feline-related questions on the internet. After all, approximately 45.3 million households in the US are proud cat owners. But sometimes, a popular query can hit you from the blindside, like are black cats dumb?

Black cats are not dumb. However, there’s the lack of research about decoding cat intelligence, and studies relating to canine intelligence don’t transfer well to felines.

But, because we’re all about helping our fellow cat-enthusiasts, this article will try and ascertain if the claim – black cats are dumb – holds any truth. Stick with us as we try and pin down the intellectual level of black cats. 

Are Black Cats Dumb Or Intelligent

More often than not, animal intelligence tests revolve around three aspects: short-term memory, problem-solving skills, and agility. And while that criteria works well for canines, it doesn’t do much to capture feline smarts.

If you’re wondering why the reason’s simple – cats don’t like doing anything much unless there’s something in it for them (generally a treat) or their interest is peaked. 

To this day, much of feline intelligence remains something of a mystery. Yes, animal behaviorists have suggested some areas of testing feline intelligence, but there’s nothing concrete just yet. 

So, where does that leave us in our quest to measure black cat intellect? The only possible avenue open to us is to look at some of the cat breeds that include a black coat and gauge their intellect. 

Bombay Cat

Bombay cats made their debut in the 50s when breeders combined the beauty of the Burmese cat with the glossy sable coat of an American Shorthair. 

These cats are active and have inquisitive personalities. Bombays love playtime and being petted equally. And, best of all, this breed is pretty intelligent. They can be trained to perform tricks, walk on a leash, and play fetch. How’s that for dumb?

Maine Coon

As the name suggests, Maine Coons hail from Maine, New England. These are large-sized felines with a luscious long-haired coat. The origins of this breed are a little unclear, with some claiming they’re descended from the long-haired cats owned by Maire Antoinette. 

Maine Coons are known as ‘gentle giants’ because of their calm and restive natures. However, these incredibly social cats can be trained to give high-fives and communicate with humans. 

American Shorthair (ASH)

American Shorthairs are descended from European cats brought by early settlers as ‘mousers’ to protect the cargo aboard ships from rats. ASHs are powerfully-built, can reach up to 12lbs in weight, and are available in eight whopping color combinations. 

Personality-wise, American Shorthairs are friendly, highly adaptable, and self-sufficient. They don’t mind keeping to themselves but require plenty of toys and puzzles to keep their little brains busy. 

Japanese Bobtail

If you’re a history buff, you’re going to love the Japanese Bobtail. This breed can trace its lineage back to the 1600s in Japan. Japanese Bobtails were introduced in the United States in the 1960s. They gained immediate popularity due to their interactive personalities and unique-looking tails.

Japanese Bobtails are thought of as an extremely intelligent feline breed. They love playing with their owners, get along well with other felines, and can be taught various tricks like playing fetch. 

The Verdict

We’ve only had the chance to cover four out of the many cat breeds that have a black color variation, and that’s not nearly enough to pass judgment on the intelligence of all black felines. 

But the fact is, dumb isn’t an adjective people generally associate with cats, black or otherwise. 

Most cat breeds are pretty agile, self-sufficient, and wily when it comes to getting the things they want. And, if the four breeds we’ve covered thus far are any proof, black cats are pretty intelligent in their own right. 

Why Are Black Cats Vilified

Black cats get a bad rap mainly because of their color. In the Roman Empire, black was the color of mourning and death. Somewhere over time, people started associating black to aspects feared by humans. Things like sickness, witchcraft, devil worship, etc., were tied to dark colors, like black. 

As a result, anything completely black in color, such as an ebony cat, was automatically seen as evil and vilified. That’s where most of the myths related to black cats come from. 

For example, myths such as black cats are unlucky or grim portents of death result from a superstition that started long ago because someone chose the color black to associate with death. 

Thankfully, there were places where black cats were considered good luck. Ancient Egyptians thought of felines as divine beings. In Japan, black cats were signs as signs of prosperity. The point is that black cats get vilified mainly because of their coat color. 

Conclusion

We’re at the end of our black cat feature and hope fellow feline lovers are convinced that black cats are neither dumb nor unlucky. 

The black coat variation is found in approximately 22 cat breeds worldwide, and they’re all unique and special in their own way. All it takes is a loving family and home for a cat’s love, playfulness, and smarts to shine through.