When Halloween rolls around, black cats always get a bad rap around this time of year.
But why is this?
The History Channel wrote a fascinating article on Why Black Cats Are Associated with Halloween and Bad Luck – stating that this negative (and totally unfair) association with them goes back as far back as the 13th century.
The article stresses that this is an unearned reputation for our lovable black kitties. But regardless, they’re still considered mysterious and a little eerie, so they get lumped right into the whole idea of Halloween anyway. No fair!
In reality, black cats are not creepy or frightening at all. In fact, they’re no different from any other cat.
So to help them beat their spooky stigma and help keep them safe and soothed on Fright Night, we came up with these three paw-sitive Halloween safety tips for black cats.
1. The ‘Inside’ Scoop
Even if your furry fave loves to take a stroll outside every now and again, it’s best to keep them indoors on Halloween and the days leading up to it.
Black cats can get picked on, even today, and they’re tough to see at night because of their dark color. Think of all the extra cars on the road as families go Trick or Treating.
If your cat was outside and got scared by all the commotion, they might dart into traffic or run until they get lost. Indoor cats usually don’t know how to take care of themselves outdoors.
It’s even a good idea to ensure your indoor cat has a collar with an ID tag and a microchip just in case they dash out when you open the door to give out candy. That way, you have a better chance of getting them back if they get lost.
2. Keep Them Fee’line Fine
Even if they’re tucked up all nice and safe inside with you, the constant ringing of the doorbell and glimpses of noisy kids wearing strange costumes and masks can be overwhelming for any pet.
