12 fun facts about black and white cats

Sucker for monochrome moggies? Us too! And it turns out that these well-dressed fluff balls are pretty interesting on the fact front. If you’ve got a black and white cat at home or you’re thinking about sitting one, grab a cuppa and dive into this trivia about your fashion-forward feline, i.e. the most dapper cat on your block…

1. Over half of all cats are black and white

According to tuxedo-cat, around 75% of all domestic cats are black and white! And while many may prefer an orange tabby, blue shorthair or even a hairless kitty, these bicoloured moggys are the most common, and unfortunately fill the most spaces in rescue shelters.

2. Black and white cats have the loudest purr

Okay, nearly. According to ABC news, Merlin (a house cat from the UK), set the new world record for the loudest purr by a domestic cat - and he was black and white! It was recorded that Merlin’s purr hit a whopping 67.8 decibels, which is about as loud as an air conditioner and nearly as noisy as a shower or dishwasher.

3. Black and white cats aren’t a breed

Many of the cat breeds we know and love can be found with adorable black and white markings. These include the Maine Coon, Cornish Rex, Manx, Oriental Shorthair, Persian, Scottish Fold, Siberian and the Turkish Angora.

4. Black and white cats can also be tabby

Like black and white cats, a common misconception about tabby cats is that they’re a breed, when they can actually be found with many different coat colours. In fact, many cat breeds can have tabby markings, and can be found with black and white colouring. Black and white striped cats are known as a silver classic tabby, or a black and white tabby. The stark, monochrome patterns often have a white or grey background. Referred to as the silver tabby, our fluffy friends can also be found with spotty black and white fur, giving them an impressive leopard-like look.

5. Some black and white cats aren’t pedigree

While many black and white cats can fall under a pedigree breed category, the stylish tuxedo coat is also common in mixed breed moggies. These fluffballs are JUST as cute and worthy of love, cuddles and play as their pedigree cousins, of course! Unfortunately, they’re commonly found in rescue shelters, waiting for a loving forever home.

6. They usually have green eyes

Our black and white fluffy friends often grow up to have piercing green eyes - we’re in awe!

7. … But they’re born with blue eyes

Like any other kitten, black and white cats are born with blue eyes. While they’re blessed with an ocean-like charm in kittenhood, many will lose their pigment as they grow into adults, instead adopting a different colour (which will most likely be green!).

8. Black cats can be political

Black and white cat known as Tuxedo Stan, who is sadly no longer with us, ran for mayor in Halifax, Canada! Despite not quite achieving mayor status when he attempted in 2012, Tuxedo Stan’s mission was a great one: to raise awareness about the stray cat population in his local area.

9. Black and white cats are found with a variety of patterns

These cuties’ coats are far from plain and can be found with a variety of patterns, including…

• Tuxedo: one of the most talked about bicolour variations, tuxedo cats are adorned with a coat that looks a bit like a suit (or tuxedo, as the name suggests). The name is often used to refer to black and white cats, but it can apply to any bicolour cats with the tuxedo markings. These markings are classified as tuxedo where white fur is showcased on the chest, belly, paws and sometimes the face.
• Mask and mantle: maybe the superheroes of the cat world, these fluffies look as though they’re wearing a mask and cape (otherwise known as ‘mantle’)! The mask and mantle is black and the rest of the body is usually white, and the patches of pigment are often separated by a small strip of white fur. Cats with mask and mantle patterning can also have white spotting on the legs, underside, shoulders and most of the face.
• Cap and saddle: think of the mask and mantle, but with a shrunk mask (now cap) over the top of the head, and a smaller mantle (now saddle) over the lower back. 
• Harlequin: while these cuties can be found with a variety of colours and patterns, they’re also black and white, or can be found as a white cat with black spots. They’re found with small, random-looking spots of colour mostly across their body and legs with a coloured tail.
• Locket: this pattern is probably the most simple! They’re found with a fully black coat and a single white, locket-shape patch of fur on their upper chest area.

10. Black and white cats can be short or long-haired

Just like any other moggy, cats with white and black coats can be found with long or short hair. The classic British Shorthair is one cutie often found with a black and white coat, along with, you guessed it… the American Shorthair. And longhaired black and white kitties are just as common, including the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Maine Coon - both sought-after stunners!

11. They’re throughout popular culture

Like many of our fluffy friends, anthropomorphic black and white cats are popular on our screens and in our books. The tuxedo cat’s personality has been the inspiration of many an artist over the years, so let’s take a look at where these cuties have been featured…

• Felix the Cat: he’s a children’s comedy cartoon character, famous for his first appearance during the silent film era. In 1919, Pat Sullivan and Otto Messmer created this cutie with a fully black body and a partially white face, topped with a huge grin. 
• Sylvester James Pussycat, Sr.: this cartoon cutie was famous for his appearances in Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies. Find this tuxedo cat famously chasing Tweety, Hippety Hopper and Speedy Gonzales. 
• Penelope Pussycat: she’s a non-speaking black and white cat from Warner Bros. classic Looney Tunes animated shorts. She also has her own show, where she features as the protagonist of the Pepé Le Pew shorts.
• The Cat in the Hat: this monochrome cutie was originally born by American author Theodor Geisel, who went by the alias Dr. Seuss. This fluffball was pretty well dressed, too. His black and white coat was topped with a red and white-striped top hat and red bow tie.
• Lucifer: the cheeky-looking black and white cat from Cinderella with an almost constant mischievous smile and a plot up his paw sleeve.

12. Black and white cats can symbolise good luck

So while this may be codswallop, their all-black cousins represent witchcraft throughout popular culture and some think that crossing the path of a black and white cutie is good luck!

Want to learn more about black cats?

If you’ve enjoyed these black and white cat facts, expand your knowledge on these kitty cuties with this guide to black cat breeds.