Did you know that October 27th is National Black Cat Day? Black cats are just as cute, sweet, lovable, and charismatic as any other kitty. Unfortunately, many people are leery of them, due to old superstitions. We’re happy to help turn the tide on that! A Seminole, FL vet lists some reasons to celebrate Fluffy in this article.
Bad Rap
Fluffy’s bad reputation goes all the way back to Medieval times, when black cats were unfairly associated with witches and witchcraft. Those old wives tales are still affecting Fluffy today. Studies indicate that about 13 percent of Americans are still suspicious of black cats to this day! This is likely the reason that black cats often struggle when it comes to getting adopted.
Brown Cat
Did you know that black cats aren’t really black? Fluffy’s coat is actually dark brown. You may see this if you look closely when she’s sprawled out in a sunbeam. If your pet spends a lot of time in the sun, you may even see patterns emerge.
A Different Breed
There are 22 cat breeds that allow black as an accepted coloring. However, only one of them, the charming, outgoing Bombay, is always black.
Bombay
Speaking of Bombay cats, they were bred to resemble little panthers. (Ironically, panthers are actually dark brown.)
Celebrekitties
Several black cats make the list of famous furballs. These ‘celebrecats’ include the Clintons’ cat, Socks; Sylvester, the sputtering cartoon kitty; and Bagheera, the panther from The Jungle Book.
Good Luck
Not all of the PR about black kitties is bad. For instance, Celtic mythology includes a good fairy that takes the shape of a black cat. Fluffy is also considered lucky in Japan and in Scotland, where black cats are associated with wealth.
Holiday
In recent years, people have become more aware of the plight of black cats. This has resulted in the creation of not one but three Black Cat days. August 17th is Black Cat Day, while October 27th is National Black Cat Day. Fluffy is celebrated on October 29th in the UK. (We did a blog about holiday gifts for cats, which you may want to read.)
Halloween
While we always advise people to keep their kitties inside, this goes double for black cats … especially around Halloween. Fluffy is, unfortunately, at risk of harm from pranksters. She’s also just harder to see at night!
Schedule An Appointment At Our Seminole FL Animal Clinic
Do you have a black cat? Contact us, your Seminole, FL veterinary hospital!
If you would like to learn more about Dr. Kathy’s Veterinary Care, our Service page is a great place to start. As your Largo animal hospital, we offer a range of services, ranging from Allergies and Dermatology to Behavioral Counseling and Critical Care.
