The truth behind black cat myths: Why they’re the perfect pets

From bad luck to purr-fect pets: Vet reveals the TRUTH behind black cat myths

• Pet experts slam ‘outdated superstitions’ as black cats face triple adoption wait times
• Why Instagram could be keeping black cats from finding homes

Black cats are facing a crisis in UK shelters, with new data revealing they’re nearly THREE times more likely to end up in care than cats of any other colour.

Leading pet sitting platform, TrustedHousesitters, is taking action ahead of National Black Cat Day on October 27^th to challenge the misconceptions behind this troubling trend. This comes as RSPCA figures show these ebony-coated felines typically wait three times longer to find their forever homes than tabby cats.

Together with veterinary experts, TrustedHousesitters is setting the record straight on black cats, tackling the myths that might be stopping these beautiful pets from finding their forever homes.

“While people anecdotally associate particular character traits with certain coat colours in cats, there is no scientific basis for this. Unfounded superstitions can also have a negative impact on the way that some people view cats, especially black ones,” explains Dr Rebecca MacMillan BVetMed BSAVA PGCertSAM MRCVS.

Top four myths about black cats: Separating fact from fiction

1. MYTH: “Black cats don’t photograph well”

TRUTH: In the social media age, the misconception that black cats are less ‘Instagrammable’ could be impacting their chances of adoption. While black cats can sometimes be trickier to photograph, modern camera technology – even simple camera phones – and techniques like good lighting can capture their beauty perfectly. Their striking appearance can make for stunning photos, you are photographing your very own black panther!

Pro tip: Natural daylight and positioning your cat facing a window can help capture their features in all their glory.

2.              MYTH: “Black cats bring bad luck”

TRUTH: This widespread myth dates back to mediaeval times, when black cats became associated with witches and were believed to be their ‘familiars’. This superstition varies dramatically across the world – in Japan, black cats are considered lucky and are believed to attract love, while British sailors historically considered black cats to be lucky on ships. These contradicting beliefs show how these superstitions are based purely on folklore rather than any facts about the cats themselves.

3.              MYTH: “All black cats look the same”

TRUTH: Each black cat has unique features and personalities, just like any other cat. Their fur can range from pure midnight black to having rusty undertones in sunlight, and many develop distinctive silver-grey ‘frosting’ as they age. They also have unique facial features, eye colours, and expressions that make them just as individual as cats of any other colour.

4.              MYTH: “Black cats are more aloof and less affectionate”

TRUTH: This myth likely stems from old superstitions about black cats being mysterious or magical. In reality, a cat’s personality has absolutely nothing to do with their fur colour, and many owners of black cats report them to be among the most loving and affectionate pets they’ve ever had.

“Many of the black cats I see in practice are sweet, friendly pets with beautiful, striking eyes contrasting against their sleek coats,” says Dr MacMillan. “Black cats make great companions and can be just as loving as a cat with any other coat colour. They should definitely not be overlooked if you are thinking about adopting a new feline friend.”

Angela Laws, Head of Community at TrustedHousesitters, added: “I believe every cat deserves their forever home – regardless of their colour. With 14 years of pet sitting experience, I have spent lots of time with felines of all colours and black cats are among the most characterful companions I’ve met, proving that when it comes to finding your perfect pet, you should never judge a book by its cover… or a cat by its colour.”

For more information about TrustedHousesitters, visit https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/blog/pets/black-cat-breeds/