Dear Miss Behavin’: I’m interested in adopting a black cat, but am not so sure, because it’s also almost Halloween. Do you think a black cat would make a great pet?
Reply: Black cats have definitely had their fair share of bias due to superstitions, but especially during Halloween. Although this holiday is usually known for kids trick-or-treating from door to door and scary or silly costumes, some of the festivities also include the symbol of black cats. This can be either as costumes for adults or children or as figurines in the home or on the lawn. Usually the figurines are in a scared pose with the cat’s back arched and its hair standing on end.
Now this may give you some hesitation in adding a black cat as a new family member, but try not to let the spookiness of Halloween dissuade you.
Here’s a few interesting tidbits on black cats that you might find surprising:
- There are at least 22 different cat breeds that have solid black fur, whether short-haired or long-haired, so you have quite the variety from which to choose.
- Most black cats will have an eye color that is more yellow or golden.
- As a black cat ages, the color of their fur may also change colors to different shades of brown, sometimes known as rusting, and happens especially if the cat likes lounging in the sun. This gives them more of a distinguished look in their golden years. Their fur is also harder to see on furniture or clothes, compared to other cats.
- There’s even a recognized Black Cat Appreciation day, on Aug. 17. Created to help support these feline friends and remove any negative association relating to superstitions and myths.
And just like any cat, black cats come in a wide variety of personalities and appearances, and can be very loving, social members of the family.