Summer may be slowly winding down, but there’s still one fabulous holiday on the horizon—Black Cat Appreciation Day! Celebrated each year on August 17th, this holiday aims to dispel the many myths and fears surrounding black cats and celebrate dark-coated kitties for the loving and beautiful creatures they are.
Superstition has given black cats a lousy rap, which has made it harder for them to find homes. As veterinarians, we’re here to tell you that the myths and superstitions are far from fact. These sleek, mysterious felines make excellent pets, and the only unlucky thing about them is living life without one. In honor of Black Cat Appreciation Day, here are some great reasons to consider adopting a black cat.
1. Some Cultures Consider Them Good Luck
Are you having a hard time getting past superstitions? If so, you should know that many cultures associate black cats with good luck. In parts of Britain, a black cat is considered a lucky omen, and sailors once kept them aboard ships for good fortune at sea. A black cat crossing your path is also a sign of good luck in some parts of Asia. Instead of focusing on harmful superstitions, believe in positivity!
2. They Have an Ancient Pedigree
Just about every cat believes they deserve to be treated like a king or queen. Cats in general held a place of great honor in ancient Egypt, where they were associated with the goddess Bastet, mummified, and entombed alongside their owners. Adopting a cat is a small way of continuing a very old tradition of treating them like royalty.
3. Black Cats Have Gorgeous Eyes
Black cats get their color from a high concentration of melanin, and many of them have striking gold or copper eyes to go with it. We think all cats’ eyes are gorgeous, but there is just something magical about getting lost in those golden orbs.
4. They Look Like Miniature Panthers
Adopting a black cat is the easiest (and safest!) way to bring a little of the majesty and grace of a black panther into your home. Often lovingly referred to as “house panthers,” black cats have an exotic air about them—with none of the permits, space, or hazards that come with an actual wild cat.
5. Black Goes with Everything
No matter what your style, you’ll never have trouble coordinating with a black cat. They look lovely when perched on furniture of any color or style. And when you’re getting ready for a black-tie event, you won’t need to reach for the lint roller quite so urgently if your cat wants some snuggles.
6. Personality Is What Matters
Don’t let their reputation put you off—black cats are far from scary. Coat color tells you nothing about temperament, and shelters are full of black cats who are playful, affectionate, chatty, or quietly devoted. Spend time with the cats at your local shelter and let personality decide, because the staff who care for them daily can tell you far more about a cat than their color ever could.
7. Their Coat Color May Have an Evolutionary Advantage
There is a genuinely interesting theory behind black coats. The mutations that produce them affect a gene family that also plays a role in immune function in mammals, which has led researchers to wonder whether dark coat color arose partly as a defense against infectious disease. Similar work has looked at black coats in wild cats such as jaguars and leopards.
It’s an appealing idea, but it remains a hypothesis rather than an established fact, and it doesn’t mean a black cat needs less veterinary care. Every cat, whatever their color, needs the same protection: vaccinations, parasite prevention, dental care, and regular wellness exams. And every cat benefits from being tested for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia when they join your household.
8. They Have Serious Star Power
Black cats have shared homes with everyone from movie stars and musicians to authors and influential political figures, and they’re much-loved figures in popular culture too. Who could forget the snarky Salem from Sabrina the Teenage Witch, or the classic Felix the Cat? There are plenty of Instagram-famous black cats these days as well.
9. Love Knows No Color
Your feline friend doesn’t care what color your hair is. They’ll love you just the same whether you're a blond, a brunette, or have your hair dyed all the colors of the rainbow. Why should you overlook a cat just because they have dark-colored fur?
10. You Can Save a Life
Perhaps the best reason to adopt a black cat is that black cats are often overlooked at shelters and can wait longer than other cats to be adopted. Opening up your home (and heart) to one gives a loving animal a second chance.
If the thought of black cats conjures images of fearsome felines with sharp fangs and shaggy fur, it’s time to let go of the fear and superstition and see them for what they truly are—loving, beautiful animals who deserve good homes just as much as any other cat. Sharing your home with a black cat is an incredible experience, and adopting one is the best way to celebrate Black Cat Appreciation Day.
As veterinarians, we’re here to help you start your new feline best friend out in the healthiest way possible. If you decide to open your home up to a black cat (or any other pet), contact us right away to schedule their first wellness exam.