Black cats have long been considered bad luck; The association of black cats with witches, death and bad luck dates back to the 13th century, when Pope Gregory IX declared black cats to be workers of the devil.
As medieval witch hunts spread across Europe, cats, often cared for by local women, were slaughtered and considered companion animals to witches.
“As we approach Halloween, we hear a lot of myths and prejudices about black cats,” says Alex Bennett, head of marketing at PetGuard, a leading pet insurance company. “But if you’ve ever been lucky enough to own a black cat, you know that not only is this prejudice untrue, but black cats also make great pets,” Bennett added. To spread some positivity about black cats, let’s dig into some facts about black cats that might surprise you.
black is the most common fur
If you’ve ever wondered why there are so many black cats, don’t worry. It’s not a curse. Black fur is a dominant gene in cats. This means that if either parent cat has black fur, there is a very good chance that the kitten’s fur will be black.
Most black cats have yellow eyes
Black cats tend to have yellow eyes for the same reason they have black fur. The pigment that darkens the fur also results in a striking yellow/amber color.
Black cats can change color without magic
Just like our own hair, a cat’s fur also turns bright shades in the sun. Sunlight can break down the pigment and turn a black cat’s fur a brownish hue. In some cases, hidden markings may appear in the fur.
Black cats are thought to bring good luck
Not all cultures view black cats negatively. In Japan, black cats are believed to bring good luck to those around them. Similarly, the Matagot, the spirit of French black cat folklore, is said to bring blessings to families that treat it well.
Black cats are more likely to be rehomed.
Many people think that black cats are less likely to be rehomed, but this is actually incorrect. The fact that there are simply more black cats than cats of other colors means that the number of cats that cannot be relocated also increases proportionately.
“While not all supernatural associations with black cats are bad, it is important to not let unfavorable associations affect your perception of these wonderful animals.” As anyone can tell you, black cats are truly happy,” Bennett concluded.
Read the full article here: https://www.petguard.co.uk/black-cat-myths
