Can Siamese Cats Be Black – Is It Rare?

Siamese cat breeds are a type of cat breed that cannot be missed. Its dark color around the face and nose with sharp, piercing blue eyes is what makes it so unique. These types of cats are usually seen in colors like white, brown, lilac but can Siamese cats be black?

Siamese cats can be black, however, they can only be partially black. Darker colors are visible in cooler areas of a Siamese cat’s body due to the partial albinism of the Himalayan gene. Seal Point Siamese cats are genetically black although the fur color is lighter at various points.

This article will go into further detail, along with some other questions to give you a complete understanding.

Is A Black Siamese Cat Rare

A black Siamese Cat is extremely rare. It is referred to as a Seal Point Siamese Cat. You can easily tell if it is a Seal Point Siamese cat because of its black eyes compared to other Siamese cats with piercing blue eyes. 

However, an exciting thing to note here is that you cannot consider these black Siamese Cats as a pure traditional Siamese breed. As discussed before, these are Seal Point Siamese Cat.

And, if you are looking for a black cat, similar to the Black Siamese, then the Oriental cat is almost similar in terms of body structure and temperament. 

Oriental cat is essentially a Siamese cat, but with the missing dominant Himalayan gene.

Can A Siamese Cat Be All Black

A Siamese cat can’t be all black.  

The reason for this is the presence of a dominant Himalayan or Albino gene. This gene causes partial albinism in cats. This gene is also sensitive to heat, which means that the cooler the temperature is, the darker the cat’s color.

This gene reduces the production of melanin when the exposed body part is over the temperature of 95 degrees F. Thus, warmer areas of the feline’s body get a lighter color.  

Thus, though genetically, these Seal Point Siamese cats should be black, the Himalayan/Albino gene doesn’t allow it. 

Can Siamese Cats Be Black And White

A Siamese cat can have both black and white colors. 

However, it is possible only when a purebred Siamese cat mates with a cat with 0% Siamese genetics. But the black color is not black and may sometimes be dark brown or deep tan. 

If you see a black and white cat quite often and assume it to be a Siamese cat, then you may be wrong. The Oriental Shorthair breed often referred to as the Siamese’s relative breed is also black and white in color. 

The only striking difference between the two of them is the eye color. While Siamese cats are famous for their Himalayan blue-colored eyes, the Oriental cats have green-colored eyes. 

Apart from the eye color, both are the same in nature, curious feline creatures!

Why Is My Siamese Cat All Black

If you have an all black cat, it might not be a pure Siamese cat but a mixed-breed one. We say this because a Siamese cat is bound to have darker and lighter points instead of a black appearance.

The Himalayan or the Albino gene is responsible for the discoloration of the Siamese cat. Tyrosinase, a protein in the body for making melanin, is responsible for our and Siamese cat’s skin color.  

To give you a more clear picture, melanin is composed of two components. The first is the Eumelanin and the second one is the Pheomelanin. While Eumelanin is responsible for producing black and brown color, Pheomelanin is responsible for brighter shades like yellow or red.

Hence, more melanin or Eumelanin production will lead to a darker fur color in the cat. If you stay in a cooler region, the tyrosinase is very likely to produce more pigment, giving your Siamese cat a darker fur color. 

But still, an all black cat, in all probability, will be a mixed breed or maybe a domestic shorthair cat.

How Much Is A Black Siamese Cat

Since it is a fact that black Siamese cats are rare, be prepared to shell out a bit more money if you want to purchase them. A black Siamese cat is considered one of the elite origins, and hence, they cost around $1000 to $2500.

This price may go up depending upon the breeder and the cat’s age.

Siamese cats, in general, have varied pricing. It all depends on their coat’s color and the type, and their age. While most of the Siamese cats have beautiful, striking blue eyes, they are mainly found in the below four colors:

● Seal point Siamese cats

● Blue point Siamese cats

● Lilac point Siamese cats

● Chocolate point Siamese cats

A Siamese kitten will cost around $600 to $800, whereas a Siamese cat costs around $600 to $1200.

Can Siamese Cats Change Color

The color of Siamese cats is really interesting to look at as it keeps changing. Siamese cats change color due to the Himalayan or the Albino gene that they possess. This causes their fur to change color according to the temperature outside. 

Thus, when the temperature is high, the color lightens, and when the temperature drops, it darkens. They are white when they are born, as they are in the warm uterus of their mother. 

Later as they are exposed to different temperatures, their body fur tends to change color.

Thus, young Siamese cats are white or cream, and as they get older, they turn dark brown or grey as their skin temperature drops. 

So, if you have purchased or adopted a Siamese cat since it was a small kitten, you can gradually notice the differences in the fur color of your four-legged friend.

Black Siamese Cat Personality

If we talk about a Black Siamese Cat’s personality, it is no different from a Siamese cat’s personality. 

As discussed above, there is no 100% pure black siamese cat. Genetically, although they are supposed to be white, the Himlayan or Albino gene interferes and changes their fur color depending on the temperature.

Below are some personality traits of a black Siamese cat:

●     Extrovert and Social

Siamese cats are incredibly extroverted, social, and fun-loving. They are amongst the top cat breeds who love interacting with humans and keeping the conversations going. 

Maybe, that is one reason why the Siamese cats may also get quite demanding and attention-seeking. So much so that few owners even get annoyed by their clingy nature.

However, the primary personality development of a Siamese cat happens when she is still a kitten. Hence, if you have a Siamese kitten, you should provide her with great love, attention, affection, and care. Only then will she be able to develop her personality correctly and will be able to socialize.

●     Intelligent

Black Siamese cats are brilliant. And, of course, they are inquisitive in nature. This lethal combination allows them to learn new things rapidly. This is also one of the reasons why the Siamese cats can be trained easily.

With some patience and persistence, you can be assured that your cat will train well.

●     Love to Cuddle

Siamese cats love to cuddle and snuggle. They love human companionship and would be a good cuddle buddy.

However, just like they love to cuddle, this breed is also super-active. Hence, you will need to provide ample cat toys that will stimulate your furry friend’s brain. And, regular exercise or a nice walk is a must with this breed.

●     Good With Kids

Their ability to train quickly and their love for human companionship makes the Siamese cat a perfect family cat, great for kids too.

The only thing you need to take care of is that your pet cat is adequately trained to behave with kids, and your kids are old enough not to manhandle your pet cat.

●     Good With Other Pets

Siamese cats love to socialize. So, if you are a pet lover, having more than one pet, then this breed might be perfect for you.

Siamese cats are known to be friendly, even with pet dogs. 

●     Require Attention

Siamese cats require a lot of attention. They cannot be left alone for a prolonged period. 

Hence, if you are someone who works for long hours, without anyone at home to keep company with the pet cat, you should think again before getting a black Siamese cat or any Siamese cat for that matter. 

Moreover, this breed is not suited for outdoor and should be kept indoors most of the time.

Things To Consider

In addition to the elegance, mystery, and superiority that comes with a black cat’s physical characteristics, they make excellent home pets because of their friendliness and companionship. They roam around the house like little black panthers with extreme beauty, stealth, and grace.

Although black cats are considered a bad sign in some cultures, they are considered very lucky in others. For example, in Japan, if you’re a single woman with a black cat, it attracts suitors. Black cats ensure good luck and safety in some places too. 

A good advantage of a black cat is because of the black cat’s genetic mutation; it makes them resistant to diseases like HIV.

They also have a better immune system than most other feline cats. Thus, their health in relation to other cats is much better, and their susceptibility to diseases is much lower. 

Like humans age with grey hair, so too do cats. This grey hair is more prominently seen in black cats due to the dark color of the fur. 

Black cats are usually perceived as deceptive and evil, but this is not true! They are incredibly calm, intuitive, and playful. 

It is also seen that compared to other cats, black cats are more affectionate, friendly, and outgoing. They demand attention from their owner and love meowing all the time.