Black cats are getting a bad rap on Halloween!

Black cats have long been seen as bad luck, which is quite unlucky of them. The association between black cats and witches, death and bad luck stretch back to the 13th century when Pope Gregory IX supposedly proclaimed black cats to be workers of the devil.

Black cats have long been seen as bad luck, which is quite unlucky of them. The association between black cats and witches, death and bad luck stretch back to the 13th century when Pope Gregory IX supposedly proclaimed black cats to be workers of the devil.

As medieval witch hunts spread through Europe, cats - who were often cared for by local women - were culled and seen as animal allies of witches.

“When Halloween approaches, we often hear of myths and prejudices towards black cats” says Alex Bennett, Head of Marketing at leading pet insurer, petGuard. “But anyone who has ever been lucky enough to own a black cat knows that not only are these stigmas not true, but they make amazing pets” adds Bennett. To spread some black cat positivity, let’s dive into some facts about black cats that might surprise you.

Black is the most common fur.

If you ever wonder why you see so many black cats around, don’t worry, it’s not a curse! Black fur is a dominant gene in cats. This means that kittens are very likely to have black fur if one of their parents also does.

Most black cats have yellow eyes

Black cats tend to have yellow eyes for the same reason that they have black fur. The pigment that turns their fur black also leads to the striking yellow/amber colour.

Black cats can change colour without magic

Just like our own hair, cat fur can turn a lighter shade in the sun. The sun’s rays break down pigment which can change a black cat’s fur to a brownish shade. Sometimes this even reveals hidden patterns in their fur!

Black cats can be considered good luck

Not all cultures view black cats in a negative light. In Japan, black cats are thought to bring fortune to those around them! Likewise, a Matagot, a French black cat folktale spirit is said to bring favour to households which treat it well.

Black cats are more likely to be rehomed

Although many think black cats are less likely to be rehomed, this is actually false. There are simply more black cats than other colours, meaning proportionally, there are more which won’t be rehomed.

“Although not all supernatural associations with black cats are bad, it’s important to not let the unfavourable ones affect your perception of these amazing animals. As anyone who’s owned a black cat will tell you, they truly are a joy” concludes Bennett.

Read the full article here: https://www.petguard.co.uk/black-cat-myths