In Defense of Black Cats: Debunking Myths about Cats

For this year’s celebration of International Cat Day, we’re going to debunk some commonly spread myths and misconceptions about our favorite felines.

Since 2002, every August 8th marks the annual International Cat Day! The celebration was started by the International Fund for Animal Welfare to raise awareness for how we take care and protect cats around the world. For this year’s celebration, we’re going to debunk some commonly spread myths and misconceptions about our favorite felines. 

1. Black cats are bad luck. 

Whenever a black cat walks by, do you ever think, oh no, that’s bad luck! While black cats have long been associated with misfortune, all of this is rooted in myth and superstition. In fact, some parts of Asia and the UK consider black cats good luck. There’s actually a superstition in Japan that if a black cat crosses the path of a single woman, she’ll soon attract suitors. 

Black cats are actually found to be friendly and patient with kids and other animals. Unfortunately due to the bad luck label, black cats tend to get ignored and overlooked in shelters. If you’re thinking of adopting, why not consider a lucky black cat? 

2. Cats have nine lives. 

This is another myth that’s rooted in superstition. With how agile and nimble cats are, it might be easy to assume that cats are somehow indestructible. But like all other animals, cats only get one life––and that life should be treated with care. 

3. It’s impossible to train a cat. 

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to train a cat new tricks! The thing to consider with cats is that they don’t respond well to discipline or any type of punishment. It’s more effective to use incentives like a clicker and reward cats for lessons learned. 

4. Cats are not loving pets. 

This is a strong argument that gets thrown around in cat vs dog debates, but it is also not true. While cats show affection in different ways than dogs, many cat parents can tell you how cats can form very strong bonds with their owners. You can feel a cat’s affection from how they greet you, those moments when they go near and curl on your lap, and even from how they look at you. 

5. My cats are fine left alone. 

Cats are often thought to be lower-maintenance than dogs. While this is true in a sense, it doesn’t mean that cats should be neglected. Pet cats look to their humans as their source of safety and security. Studies have shown that cats can get separation anxiety and that they crave stability too. Whether you’re a new or veteran cat parent, don’t forget that your cat sees you as home. 

Share on: