October is Black Cat Awareness Month, and it comes with two big days back to back: National Black Cat Day on October 27 and National Cat Day on October 29. It's also the month black cats get dragged into every spooky decoration on the block. So let's clear a few things up.
Black cats have picked up a lot of baggage over the centuries – bad luck, witches, the whole bit. Most of it falls apart the second you look into it. Here are the biggest black cat myths, what's actually true, and why a black cat might be the best roommate you ever have.
myth #1: black cats are bad luck
Turns out, that depends on where you live. In much of Europe and North America, a black cat crossing your path got a bad reputation. But plenty of other places see it the other way around:
- The UK: In British folklore, black cats are a symbol of good luck.
- Scotland: A black cat showing up at your door is said to bring prosperity.
- Japan: Black cats are considered lucky.
- At sea: Sailors wanted a black ship's cat on board for good luck, and some fishermen's wives kept black cats at home to help keep their husbands safe on the water.
Same cat, opposite superstition. That's a pretty good sign the cat isn't the one making the luck.
myth #2: black cats belong to witches
Nope – that one's a story people told about cats, not something cats did. The link between black cats and witchcraft goes back to medieval Europe, when black cats got tied up in fears about the devil and the occult. Many black cats were killed because of it. The idea traveled to North America with settlers and showed up during the Salem witch trials in the 1690s.
Today the only spell a black cat is casting is the one that gets you up at 5 a.m. to fill the food bowl.
myth #3: black cats are the least likely to get adopted
This one's more complicated than the headline. You'll see it repeated every October, but the numbers tell a different story.
- A 2013 ASPCA study found that black cats were adopted at about the same rate they came in. Black cats made up 33% of cats entering shelters and 31% of cats adopted.
- Black is the most common cat coat color, so there are simply more black cats in shelters at any given time. That's a big part of why it can look like they're being passed over.
- In the UK, the charity Cats Protection started National Black Cat Day in 2011 after finding black and black-and-white cats took about a week longer to find homes. By 2019, that gap was down to about two days.
So the gap is real in some places, but it's smaller than the myth suggests – and it's shrinking. The best thing you can do? Go meet the black cats at your local shelter. There's a good chance there are a lot of them waiting.
myth #4: shelters shouldn't adopt out black cats around Halloween
A lot of shelter experts have moved away from this one. Some shelters still pause black cat adoptions in October out of worry that the cats will be harmed or used as decorations. It comes from a good place. But animal welfare experts have said there's no documented link between Halloween adoptions and black cats being hurt.
Pausing adoptions also has a cost. Fewer cats go home, and more cats wait in crowded shelters. Shelter leaders have also pointed out that pulling black cats off the adoption floor every October just reinforces the idea that they need to be treated differently. If you're adopting this month, expect the same questions any good shelter asks – and know they're looking out for the cat.
myth #5: a black cat is a breed
Black is a color, not a breed. The Cat Fanciers' Association recognizes 22 breeds that can have solid black coats, including the Persian, Sphynx, Scottish Fold, and American Shorthair. Most black cats you'll meet are everyday domestic shorthairs and longhairs.
There's one exception: the Bombay. It's the only breed that's always black. It was developed in the 1950s by crossing the Burmese with the American Shorthair, and it's nicknamed the "parlor panther."
myth #6: black cats are just plain black
Look closer. A black coat has more going on than you'd think.
- They can "rust." Black cats who spend a lot of time sunbathing in windows can pick up reddish-brown highlights. Sunlight breaks down the black pigment in the fur, and the color stays until the fur sheds.
- Ghost stripes. Many solid-colored cats carry faint tabby markings you can only see in certain light.
- Not always solid. A lot of black cats have a few white hairs, a white patch on the chest, or a stray white whisker.
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Those eyes. Black cats usually have gold, copper, or green eyes, which is why they seem to glow in photos.
why black cats make amazing pets
Here's the truth: coat color doesn't decide a cat's personality. A black cat can be a lap cat, a shoulder rider, a counter jumper, or a professional napper, same as any other cat. What you're really getting is a cat – and that's the good part.
- There are a lot of them waiting. Since black is the most common coat color, your local shelter likely has plenty to choose from, at every age and energy level.
- Low-key style. Black fur goes with everything. (Your white couch may disagree.)
- Built-in Halloween costume. No assembly required.
- A little panther in your living room. Sleek, glossy, and somehow always sitting exactly where the light hits.
If you're ready to adopt, our guide on how to find a reputable rescue near you was written for dog adopters, but the same tips for vetting a shelter or rescue work for cats too.
how to treat your black cat (or any cat) right
Every cat, black or not, is an obligate carnivore. Their bodies are built to run on animal protein, and they need nutrients found only in meat. One of the big ones is taurine – cats can't make enough on their own, so it has to come from food. It supports heart health, vision, and brain function. We dig into it in taurine for dogs and cats.
That's why real-meat treats are such a good fit for cats. A few of our cat favorites:
- Chicken Heart – a natural source of taurine.
- Minnow – whole fish, naturally rich in omega-3s.
- Chicken Breast – lean, simple, and over 80% crude protein.
- Pork Tenderloin – a novel protein with thiamine (B1), which cats need in especially high amounts.
Every one is a single ingredient, freeze-dried, and made and sourced in the USA. And yes, cats can learn tricks for them. Our Training Bites are under 2 calories each and made for cats too – see how to get started in yes, cats can train too.
black cat myths and facts: FAQs
When is National Black Cat Day?
October 27. The UK charity Cats Protection started it in 2011, and it's now celebrated in the US too. There's also Black Cat Appreciation Day on August 17.
When is National Cat Day?
October 29. It was founded in 2005 to encourage cat adoption.
Are black cats bad luck?
No. It's a superstition, and it isn't even universal – in the UK, Scotland, and Japan, black cats are considered good luck.
Are black cats adopted less?
Not as much as people think. A 2013 ASPCA study found black cats were adopted at about the same rate they entered shelters. There are just more of them, because black is the most common coat color.
What breed is a black cat?
Black is a coat color, not a breed. 22 breeds can be solid black. The Bombay is the only breed that's always black.
Why is my black cat turning brown?
Usually from the sun. Sunlight breaks down the black pigment in the fur, giving it a reddish, "rusty" tint until the fur sheds.
celebrate your cat this national cat day
Black, orange, tabby, or tuxedo – every cat deserves a treat worth celebrating. Our Cat Favorites Bundle brings together four single ingredient, freeze-dried treats cats go wild for: Minnow, Chicken Breast, Chicken Heart, and Pork Tenderloin. All of our bundles save you 10% over buying each treat on its own.
Celebrate Your Pet – and give your black cat an extra scratch this month.
Sources
- Who's Afraid of a Big Black Cat? – Humane World for Animals, citing 2013 ASPCA shelter data
- The History of National Black Cat Day – Cats Protection