Expand To Show Full Article
Black Cat Appreciation Day: Picking the Perfect Cat

Please note that some posts contains affiliate links & I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links Find out More

Black Cat Appreciation Day: Picking the Perfect Cat

by | Aug 16, 2022 | Cat Behavior & Care | 6 comments

August 17 is Black Cat Appreciation Day. That counters the myriad black cat negative myths. Of course, those folks who share their lives (and pillows!) with a special black cat know better. Sadly, too many black cats remain in shelters rather than being adopted.

In fact, some evidence supports the notion that black cats (one of the first “mutations” of wild coat color), actually enhanced what I call the feline friendly factor. Black cats often seem to be much more agreeable and love spending time with their chosen human. And the cute black cat pictures here can attest, these kitties love attention!

I even added a gorgeous black Maine Coon hero cat character named Kahlua to my thriller HIT AND RUN. The kitty won the honor in the Name That cat contest.

Maybe that’s why so many of the so-called witches were associated with black kitties. Read more about black cats and Halloween here.

black cat with ribbon

Awwww….what’s not to love with this gorgeous cute kitty?

Picking Your Perfect Black Cat

People have more difficulty picking cats because they assume all felines are exactly the same. And because usually, cats pick us.

More than 40 cat breeds and ten times that number of “mixed” variations represent the feline nation. They all meow, hiss, and purr—more or less; they all sport fur coats, in some form or fashion. And yes, many of these various breeds and mixes wear BLACK fur!

black cat tree

This black cat “votes” for cat trees and scratching posts!

And like dogs, they ALL need time and attention. I can hear dog folks snickering, but it’s true. You get out of a cat relationship exactly what you put into it, so allow at least an hour a day for basic training—teaching the cat her name, for example. Add another two hours daily for teaching claw etiquette, the rules of the house (staying OFF countertops), and bathroom manners in the litterbox. Kittens and cats learn toilet techniques very quickly, and done correctly you’ll not need much cleanup time for any accidents.

black cat

These American Curl cats are ready to love you! Which is the boy and which is the girl, can you tell?

Does Sex Matter?

Sex and looks tend to be the first considerations for most folks adopting a cat. Neutering your pet evens the behavior playing field in almost all cases, of course, but there are some gender differences.

Felines range in size from the five-pound Singapura to the 20-plus pound Maine Coons and Ragdoll cats, and male kitties usually get bigger than the girl kitties. It’s hard to predict size or personality in nonpedigree kittens. When choosing your black cat friend, engage with a wand toy and see how the baby (or adult cat) reacts. Maybe you prefer a sedate adult man-cat, or instead a rambunctious and slinky panther companion. There is no one answer.

black cat

This black Siberian Cat has luxurious fur that requires extra care.

Fur, Glorious Black Cat Fur!

Coats vary from long and thick, to short and silky, curled, fluffy, or peach-fuzz bald. As a general rule, more fur means increased coat care. However, the Sphynx (bald) cat also comes in any color (even black!) but requires sunscreen, and extra baths to fight oily skin secretions that stain the upholstery. And remember, the Persian’s glorious coat requires daily attention, while any longhaired feline quickly turns into a matted mess without lots of work. That means combing, brushing and/or bathing on a weekly (or oftener) schedule.

Remember, grooming includes ear care, eye care, teeth cleaning, and claw trims. Yes, you CAN bathe a cat but if you don’t want to attempt such things, rethink your cat choice. So for longhair cats add another half-hour grooming time each day.

black kitten

Kittens have no off-switch and are always ready for a game.

Exercising Cats & Attention Time

Cat breeds vary much less in activity levels, compared to dogs. But the high-energy felines challenge owners as much as their canine counterparts. Your black cat companion may enjoy swinging from the drapes and emptying your sock drawer if not given something constructive to do.

Invest in two to three half-hour sessions a day interacting with Sheba. Entertain her, or she’ll find something to amuse herself, such as knocking china off your mantel. At our house, we call that “gravity experiments.”

black kitten

Oh, the wheels inside that furry little head are a-turning…watch out!

Any size cat seems able to claim the lion’s share of the sofa, and demands pillow space—alternatively, sleeps on your head. Cats in multiples claim major bed space and may squabble over lap time.

Allow a minimum of thirty minutes daily ‘schmoozing’ time—that’s the nose-to-nose, cheek-rubbing, butt-scratching, sweet-purring, secret-sharing, quiet communing cat lovers do as a matter of course. The stronger the bond, the more time you spend schmoozing.

black cat drinking

Everything is fair game for cats of all colors.

How Much Time for Perfect Cats?

So far, our weekly cat time commitment conservatively totals 35 hours—multiplied by the number of cats you have. We often make do with less, and our cats suffer. Ignore Sheba and spend little time training and interacting, and you’ll end up with a cat who ignores you, has her way with the sofa, and sleeps her life away.

Therefore, my ultimate secret to obtaining the BEST cat ever–black cat, white cat, or multi-hued–is to devote as much time to Sheba as you would for those things that matter most to you. As you teach, care for, and love her you will create the cat of your dreams.

So, do you have a black cat? What’s s/he like? Did you choose, or did Kitty choose you?

YouTube Button

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!

 

 

6 Comments

  1. Andrea

    Another interesting tidbit about certain “black” cats: black Oriental shorthair cats are called ebony rather than black. I had one many years ago, Kaliman Nile’s Mereruka (Ruka for short) was a show cat for a while but very active and very loving.

    Reply
  2. Susan Aceto

    I am a bit late to the party:) but noticing that the original was posted on my birthday figured why not post. We were the proud staff to a beautiful black cat Bear. She was with us for just about 17 years and passed away due to kidney failure. Bear is missed very day but Syd and Max help.

    Reply
    • Amy Shojai

      Sounds like Bear was a wonderful cat friend. Missing them never goes away but I’m glad Syd and Max help.

      Reply
  3. Most Rev George Michael Jachimczyk

    I have had four cats over time. An Orange Tabby with a wonderful personality, then a Maine Coon who was a little aloof, a grey tabby with an interesting personality and then my Balthazar, a black Bombay. He is loving beyond any of the others, love to be cuddled, love to travel, loves to play, and understands what’s off limits. I loved each and every one of the previous fur babies but this one is really special.

    Reply
    • Amy Shojai

      Awww… I love those Bombay babies, they ARE really special. But then, I think all cats are special. *s* Thanks so much for visiting the blog.

      Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. NEW BOOK RELEASES--Cat Life: The History, Culture & Love of the Cat - […] hope the book will help you appreciate the old and young cats you have, or even help you choose…
  2. Black Cats & Halloween: Cat Myth-Teries Explained - […] been busy writing my next book CAT LIFE, and it includes fun Halloween and black cat myths. So here’s…

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories:

Recent Posts

Cat Urinary Blockage, Feline Urinary Tract Disorders & The “Stoned” Cat

Do you know the signs of a cat urinary blockage? Do you know about FLUTD? Maybe you’re puzzled why your cat suddenly pees outside the box? Or maybe he strains and strains but can’t elminate. Is it constipation? Or does he have a cat urinary blockage? How can I stop my cat from peeing on the carpet?

If you’re asking these questions, you’ve come to the right place. Feline lower urinary tract disorders (FLUTD) can cause deadly cat urinary blockage. It frustrates cat owners—and also the cats! A cat urinary blockage can be deadly, so it’s vital to recognize the signs of a feline urinary tract disorder. This post is dedicated to my friend Susan Richardson-Cripps and the memory of Heathcliff, her fun-loving orange kitty boy.

How To Give Pets As Gifts

Giving pets as gifts prompts discussions every time the subject comes up. Most recently, we got our “gift puppy” and “gift kitten” when they adopted us, and we’re so glad Karma-Kat and Shadow-Pup are part of our holidays. But for many folks, this year means a new puppy or new kitten for Christmas. Learn how to gift pets–and please share your experiences in the comments!

The professionals used to say that the holidays were a TERRIBLE time to get a new pet–that impulse adoptions could leave the cat or dog without a home after the cute-holiday-thrills wore off. More recently, though, the ASPCA conducted some surveys and discovered that when done properly, these adoptions can be lasting, loving adoptions. So I had to re-think my advice.

Holidays tend to be hectic times when normal routines go out the window. Whether a baby, adult, or senior rescue cat or dog, new animals need the stability of knowing what to expect. In fact, some holiday schedules may allow you to be home more during this time to help the new kitty or pooch adjust.

Holiday pets take more work, true. But just think: you’re not only giving the pet to a person—you’re giving a special human to a waiting cat or dog, a fur-kid hungry for a loving, permanent home. Happy holidays, indeed!

How to Get the Most from Vet Visits: What to Ask & How to Ask

When I worked as a veterinary technician many years ago, pet parents ask questions all the time, but rarely to the vet. Folks often acted embarrassed, or waited to telephone from home hours or days after the appointment. Perhaps they felt intimidated by the doctor when they take pets to the back, or feared their questions were foolish. Maybe the busy schedule of the clinic offered little opportunity to ask.

Whatever the reason, remember that there are no foolish questions for your beloved cat and dog. Does your dog hate the vet, or is your cat fearful of vet visits? That can increase your own worry and stress.

As your pet’s top advocate, it’s up to you to arm yourself with expert advice and information to provide the best care possible. Here are some tips to be fear free when asking your vet questions.

Calling All Pet Professionals: What to do about Dr. Google

Many years ago when I worked as a veterinary technician, I spent much of my time “translating” the doctor’s medical-speak into language that pet parents more easily understood. I can’t complain, because that gave me my career. But why turn to the vet tech instead of the doctor? Well, clients felt intimidated to ask the veterinarian for clarification, embarrassed they didn’t understand, and reluctant to “waste the doctor’s time.”

My, how times change. Today, many pet parents arrive at the clinic with the leash or carrier in one hand and a printout in the other, courtesy of “Dr. Google.” Pet professionals applaud their advocacy and determination to self-educate and provide the best care for their animal companions.

But pet professionals become frustrated when this information is at best inapplicable, and at worst, downright dangerous. Yet, you don’t want to appear condescending or “hiss off” your clients, so they stop coming altogether. And pet lovers–you don’t want to be discounted in your hunt for best practices for your cats and dogs.

Don’t bump heads. Here are some ways to manage Dr. Google without driving each other away.

Earth Day for Pets: How to Celebrate Responsibly

It’s Earth Day! Now, we have to be responsible because the Earth is the only place that has dogs and cats. Am I right? So how will you make Earth Day for pets a fun celebration? Shadow-Pup, Karma-Kat and I are encouraging everyone to do their part to help take care of this gorgeous planet we share.

4 Eco-Friendly Ways to Enrich Your Cat’s Environment

Do you get bored? How do you know when your cat feels bored, just like we do? Cats may sleep more (and they already sleep a LOT!). If you free feed leaving out food all the time, a bored cat fills up their empty feelings with a full tummy. Or, they may act out by scratching the wrong object, or–in my Karma-Kat’s case, he torments the dog.

I’m a huge proponent of environmental enrichment for cats. Think about it–while dogs more typically get outings with walks in the park or car rides, we keep cats safe inside. No wonder they get bored. With Earth Day coming up on April 22, think about some eco-friendly ways to enrich your cat’s environment.

You don’t have to spend a bunch of money, either, or a lot of time. Here are some easy and fun “green” projects to try and see if that turns on the kitty purrs.

4 Eco-Friendly Ways to Enrich Your Dog’s Environment

Dogs, cats and other pets can get bored just like we do. I struggle not to binge on snacks and bad TV. Keeping our minds and bodies active is important for our health, and environmental enrichment elevates your dog’s physical and emotional health.

When Shadow-Pup feels bored, he terrorizes Karma-Kat. Oh, they love to play together, but he overdoes things and can get too rough when he feels bored. He’ll also demand more attention from his humans. That takes the form of staring and barking at us (READ MY MIND!), or bringing toys to play, or even indulging in zoomies–racing around and around the house l

There are many ways you can add some stimulation into your pet’s world. That doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Check out these easy and green pet-parent projects you can try this spring.

How to Leash Train Cats

Why would you want to leash train cats and confine kitties from stalking and pouncing? Isn’t that mean? Actually, it’s not cruel, but without proper introduction, it can be a wee bit scary. In my Complete Kitten Care book, I call this LIBERATION TRAINING. Teaching your new cat to walk on a leash is a safety issue, but also means they get to venture beyond the confines of your house and into the yard and beyond.

This week during a cat consult, a pet parent asked about training her cat to walk on a leash. It’s always a good time to revisit the notion. An adult cat won’t automatically understand the concept, though, so this blog not only explains the benefits of leash training to YOU, it also helps you purr-suade your cats to get a new leash on life. Sorry, couldn’t resist.

Cats and Mirrors: Stranger Danger or Twin Fun?

Years ago, when I was the spokesperson for the Purina Cat Chow Way of Life Tour, we’d arrive in town the evening before and visit the shelter to choose a kitty for the next morning’s TV appearance. The “stars” almost always received lots of attention from viewers and got adopted. Understandably, shelter staff had their favorites and often urged us to choose a special feline that had less chance for a forever home. I had the delight of spending the night in the hotel room with the lucky kitty. Believe me, it was tough not to bring a whole clowder home!

One memorable kitty hated mirrors. Oy!

The shelter volunteers urged us to take a “lifer” onto the TV show. This kitty had been there for several years, and probably couldn’t remember ever being on the “outside.” She’d had reconstructive eye surgery for a birth defect (problems with the eyelids) and had poor vision. But she was sweet and adored by the whole staff–so we chose her to make a television appearance.

That evening, when I opened the carrier door in the hotel room to allow her to stretch her legs, she got as far as the closet door, and FREAKED! The mirror reflection terrified her—that strange cat in the glass hissed at her, screamed at her, threatened to attack—and this poor cat hadn’t a clue what to do. Why do cats get freaked out by mirrors? It’s likely the eyesight issue made it worse, but many cats react to mirrors poorly. Learn here why cats hate mirrors and what you can do to ease the angst!

Dare Or Die Pre-Order: Amy Shojai Thriller Book #7 Releases April 30

Plan to get your copy of DARE OR DIE from Amy Shojai thrillers by pre-ordering NOW. The book releases in all Ebook versions, in print, and hardcover on April 30th. The audiobook version releases in May.

What’s DARE OR DIE #7 About?

September Day won’t let anything prevent her from walking down the aisle. Hiring more security instead of canceling the ceremony, she’s horrified when the stalker makes good on their threat. And whisked away by a mysterious bodyguard, the distraught bride fears the only way to keep everyone safe is to fake her death.

Longing to return home, the frantic dog trainer relies on her German Shepherd Shadow to sniff out her strange savior’s true motives. But September’s PTSD escalates into full-blown panic after learning she holds the key to take down a sinister crime syndicate.

Can September and Shadow bury the past for good?

DARE OR DIE is the electrifying 7th book in the September & Shadow series. If you like spirited survivors, twisty secrets, and the healing power of hero dogs and hero cats, then you’ll love Amy Shojai’s hair-raising read.

Visit Amy's Website

Amy Shojai CACB is an award winning author.  You can find all her publications and book her to speak via her website. 

On Demand Writer Coaching

AmyShojai.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com http://amazon.com/.

Awards

Memberships