8 Spooky Facts About Black Cats
There are few cats that are as iconic as the black cat. Especially when Halloween rolls around. What would our Halloween decorations be without a yowling black cat with its back arched and fur standing on end? And what would our Halloween costumes be like without at least one girl gettin' spooky with it as an iconic Black Cat?
While there are tons of superstitions swirling around the much maligned - and also much beloved - black cat, there are just as many interesting facts that make them unique.
1. Black cats’ bad rep stems from the Middle Ages.
Pope Gregory IX decided that black cats were used to worship the devil and saw them as evil creatures. The belief only continued to spread across the world - and the ages. Thanks, Greg.
2. Black cats were often thought to be witches’ familiars.
The Puritans (circa 1600s) believed that witches could actually shape-shift into black cats and spy on their neighbors.
3. Black cats were thought to be a sailor's best friend.
Sailors and their wives saw black cats as guardians of safe passage. These inky felines were seen as harbingers of such good fortune that they became a hot commodity, and some sailors couldn’t even afford to buy them.
4. In Ireland, Cait Sidhe, pronounced “caught shee,” were mythical, fairy-like creatures who took the form of large, all-black cats were said to be the King of the Cats.
On the night of Samhain (a Celtic festival similar to Halloween), if you left a saucer of milk out for the fairy cat, your house would be blessed. If no milk was left for the mysterious black cat, you would be cursed and all your cows' milk would dry up.
5. They are said to be "super cats."
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health discovered that the genetic mutations that cause cats to have black coats may offer them some protection from diseases.
6. They can rust.
All right, so your black cat won't actually rust if you leave them out in the rain. They will complain VERY loudly, though. But if your black cat has a tabby stripe gene and spends hours napping in a sunbeam, their fur can turn a rusty brown color. Why? The sun’s rays break down the pigment in their fur to reveal the underlying tabby stripes.
7. Black cats make excellent wingmen.
In Japan, young women are encouraged to own black felines to increase their chance of romance. And in the English Midlands, giving a bride the gift of a black cat was thought to bring her good luck.
8. Black cats are often overlooked for adoption.
Black cats are often the last to get adopted and may be passed over for cats of other colors despite the fact that they're just cats like any other cat. It could be because of the superstitions surrounding their inky fur or the belief that black cats are harder to photograph.
I have 4 black cats, all females, out of our 7 and I adore them! They are so loving and very clever.
They are all special and each one of them has their own personality, likes and dislikes etc. When people come over and see the black ones, they quite often comment on the myths they carry. To us, we all love them, no matter their colour.
I love my four legged black magic. ❤️ OJB and Sheba are my buds and follow me around just like a canine. I’ve had many cats during my lifetime and will always love the smaller versions of the black panther!
My favorite was always the tuxedo cat..mostly black, but I love black cats..had a couple of pure blacks. They are definitely lucky and so perfect.
I had a black cat, named Harry. He had fangs. Found him on the road. He was terrified of everything and would only come to me.
He died of throat cancer 6 years ok. Still miss him. Now have 3 rescue black cats along with 2 other cats.
My black cat is 15 years old. When we decided to have cats I want a black one. A black boy cat.
In 2003 he and his tabby sister come in our live. His sister has passed away in may. We love both, we miss our tabby lady, and hope our black boy to stay with us for a long time.
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