Are Black Cats Bad Luck? Superstition Debunked

If you’re getting into superstitions this spooky season, you may be wondering, are black cats bad luck or is it just a myth? Of course, you probably know the answer! This is just an old superstition meant to scare! Black cats are no more lucky or unlucky than any other kitties. So how did this superstition surrounding black cats come about? Where did it start? And what does it mean for our feline friends? The Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill can answer your questions on why black cats are considered bad omens.

Why Are Black Cats Considered Bad Omens?

The superstition around black cats didn’t just pop up out of nowhere! There are a few sources for why we consider black cats to be bad luck:

• It’s popularly believed that the superstition about black cats first came to light in the Middle Ages. An old European folk tale tells the story of a man and his son who saw a limping black cat and decided to throw rocks at it. The cat ran for cover inside the home of a woman believed to be a witch, and when she appeared limping the next day similar to the injured black cat, the common people thought the witch must be the cat in disguise. Spooky!
• In America, this superstition can be traced to a dark point in US history: the Salem witch trials. Black cats who belonged to women accused of witchcraft were seen as devilish and evil. Witches could even transform into black cats to slink in the shadows and cast evil spells on people while disguised.
• Just like bats, black cats have long been associated with everyone’s favorite spooky villains: vampires!
• To drive the superstition home, many other black animals were also seen as harbingers of doom. Ravens and crows have a reputation for being unlucky and malicious, probably due to their high intelligence and recognition of human faces, and this later transferred to black cats as well.

Bad Luck for Black Cats – Adopt a Black Cat Today!

While these superstitions might make for some spooky holiday fun for us, it’s not always good for black cats. This reputation as unlucky has unfortunately made black cats the least likely to be adopted among all cats. This Halloween, you might consider changing the luck for a black cat by adopting it into your forever home. Ask the professionals at Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill for more information on upcoming adoption events and how you might adopt a black kitty this Halloween. Call us at 856-662-2662 or visit our website!