The SPOOOOKY Truth About Black Cats and Halloween*
It’s Not What You Think!
With Halloween just around the corner, we see ghosts, goblins, witches and—wait for it—black cats, practically everywhere we look. From store displays to our neighbors’ front porches, spooky images, colored lights, and macabre figures litter community landscapes. With each passing day, as the haunting décor accumulates, we anxiously wait for the day of “trick or treating” to arrive. With its festive feel, it’s a holiday that many of us enjoy. And, because we love our cats so much, we naturally want to include them in the fun!
But unlike the little humans in our lives, like our kids and grandkids, it’s not necessarily an enjoyable holiday for our cats, especially those with black-colored fur.
Long associated with witches and the occult, the black cat’s spooky history often leads to misunderstanding, mistreatment, and rejection of these beautiful companions in modern times. Did you know that black cats have higher rates of euthanasia and lower rates of adoption at shelters? Add to this that cats’ behavior is often misinterpreted and mysterious to many, and Halloween is a holiday that’s rife with human mischief. Especially for our feline friends. So, how can we all be a bit better to the cats in our lives this Halloween? And, how can we make a difference for black cats, specifically, in honor of the holiday?
Following are spooky tips (and tricks!), do’s and don’ts, to take good care of the companions we love and who depend on us to keep them healthy, happy, and safe on Halloween night.
FOR ALL CATS
DO Keep in Mind That Each Cat is a Unique Individual. Just like people, some cats are highly social and outgoing, while others are quiet and shy. While some bolt for cover with the sound of a doorbell, others happily greet strangers as part of your family’s welcoming committee. Consider your cat’s unique temperament before Halloween night and have a game plan for accommodating her.
DO Make Sure Your Cat Has Access to a Safe, Comforting Space. No matter your cat’s unique personality, make sure he has a place to escape to, away from the noise and hubbub. If your kitty tower is in the bedroom, for example, refrain from closing the door to that room on Halloween night, just to provide easy access in case it’s needed.
DO Tune into Your Cat’s Physical Cues.
- Crouching low and close reveals that your cat feels threatened, and it’s a physical way she protects her body.
- His tail straight up, fur puffed out, and hair raised along the back is something we often see in Halloween silhouettes of cats. Scary, right? Literally! This says “I’m scared, agitated, and wired” right now.
DO Watch the Door! This seems like a no-brainer, but with the door constantly opening and closing for trick or treaters, many pets are sadly lost this time of year. In fact, Halloween ranks second, after July 4th, for the number of lost pets. We all know cats are speedy, and it only takes a second to dart out the door. To prevent unwanted escapes, especially if you have a known little escape artist on your hands, its best to keep them safely confined until the front door light is switched off for the night.
DO Consider Bringing Your Outdoor Cat Indoors. This way, your cat avoids all the scary stuff and dangerous pitfalls of Halloween night, such as increased traffic, noise, and interactions as strangers approach, which often causes distress.
DO Consider Microchipping Your Cat If You Haven’t Already. Once your cat is microchipped, and you’ve registered her information (with your contact details), a veterinarian is able to scan the chip of a “found” cat and find you, as long as the information matches. So, it’s very important to keep your contact details up to date. When you do, microchipping significantly increases the chance of locating and reuniting with your cats that wander off.
DO Promptly Pick-Up and Remove Trash. Discarded candy wrappers, string-based and other types of Halloween décor invite playful cats to, well, play. This may cause them to accidently eat what they shouldn’t or get tangled up in loose decorations.
DO NOT Force Cats to Participate in Halloween Activities. Remember that your cat trusts and depends on you to keep him healthy and safe. Protect your human-animal bond by respecting your cat’s unique personality and preferences.
As Tempting as It Is, DO NOT Force Your Cat to Wear a Costume. While this might be fun and entertaining for you, we can pretty much predict that your cat won’t like it. Many cat costumes, while cute, are uncomfortable, especially if they don’t fit well. Too tight, too loose, ill-fitting costumes might cause the catching of legs and paws, or for your cat to get hung-up on items inside or outside the home. A safer alternative is to use a good fitting, cat-safe, Halloween-themed collar or bandana, instead.
LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, FOR BLACK FURRED CATS—A HOLIDAY WISH
Despite their unfortunate past as unknowing subjects of medieval beliefs and mischief, as a lover of all cats, we’d like to encourage you to give black cats a chance in the future. So don’t be afraid to add a black cat to your adoption wish list! Coat color is not a good predictor of behavior, and while many black cats are overlooked, they can make just as wonderful companions as their lighter-coated cousins.
Most of all, please remember that black cats are just as lovable and enjoyable all year long—not just for Halloween. These are more than just one-trick cats!
*Our Sources for This Cat-Related Content: We’d like you to know that this cat-related content was provided in collaboration with our friends and animal experts at Purdue University: Dr. Candace Croney, PhD., Mikel Delgado, PhD and Judith Stella, PhD, Croney Research Group, Purdue University.