Every October cat lovers turn their attention to the misunderstood black cats. Centuries of superstition and ignorance continue to this day which is why most shelters won’t allow black cats to be adopted close to Halloween. But what about myths or beliefs about other color cats? Are orange cats really more laid back, or tortoiseshell cats more aloof?
A new study suggests that even cat lovers judge felines by their colors, rather than their personalities. And those judgments can be deadly. Dark-colored cats are euthanized more often than light-colored ones, while tortoiseshell cats are frequently as having too much attitude or “tortitude.”
Mikel Delgado, lead author of the study and a doctoral student in psychology at UC Berkeley wanted to learn more about cat color bias. In an online survey, researchers asked 189 people to assign personality traits to cats of different colors. The researchers reported in their paper: “There were significant differences in how participants in this study chose to assign personality terms to differently colored cats. For example, participants were more likely to attribute the trait “friendliness” to orange cats, “intolerance” to tri-colored cats [tortoiseshells], and “aloofness” to white and tri-colored cats. No significant differences were found for “stubbornness” in any colors of cats. White cats were seen as less bold and active and more shy and calm than other colors of cats.”
Delgado said in a news release, ”To date there is little evidence that these perceived differences between differently colored cats actually exist, but there are serious repercussions for cats if people believe that some cat colors are friendlier than others.” Adopting a cat should involve evaluating the creature’s personality, not its coat. In other words, don’t judge a cat by its color. Black cats and torties can be just as friendly — or aloof — as their orange pals. We hope that this study will be a starting point for further research in what qualities affect adoption and retention of pet cats, and whether there is a genetic or physical basis (such as coat color) for personality differences in cats,” she added, ”Previous research supports the existence of ‘black cat’ syndrome, where black and brown cats are less likely to be adopted than cats of other colors.”
The results of the study:Human Perceptions of Coat Color as an Indicator of Domestic Cat Personality.Authors: Delgado, Mikel M.; Munera, Jacqueline D.; Reevy, Gretchen M. was published this week in the online issue of Anthrozoos, the official journal of the International Society for Anthrozoology. The abstract is available here
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I don’t know about color, but our mom thinks male cats are easier going and females are more complicated with more drama. I wonder if that is true? Any thoughts or research, Layla?
Oui Oui recently posted…Sweet & Sour Julie
I’ve had mostly female cats all my life until Merlin and now it’s mancats all the way for me. That said, you never know what the future holds.
As a vet tech, I do notice differences in behavior in different colors of cats. Of course, these “differences” are not true for every single cat. At the vet’s office, many orange tabbies are not laid back, but can be rather angry lol. Calicos and torties also tend to have an attitude. Siamese are very vocal in the clinic. Also, Russian Blues can get pretty cranky with us too. Again, these observations are not true to every cat. Just something we happen to notice. Love the picture!
Ann Paws recently posted…Wordless Wednesday: Caption This Photo Contest
It makes us sad to know that human bias and superstitions translate into black cats getting a bad rap.
meowmeowmans recently posted…(Almost) Wordless Wednesday
We think black cats are beautiful!
It doesn’t matter the color,gender or anything else each one is an individual and should be considered as such. We as humans put way too much stock in physical appearence and perception. We would all be amazed at what we could learn by actually being blind for a while. Luvin us some lil black kittie named Izzy and a brown and black striped tabby named Skeeter. >^..^<
Would love to see pics of you guys!
Oh Mom loves us panthers and we are so sorry there is some bias towards us. We are so beautiful.
purrs
>^,,^<
✿•*¨`*•. ♥Abby♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥Grace♥✿•*¨`*•.
Abby recently posted…One Word Wednesday
Fascinating! And timely. Our Mom just sat in with thirty cats at a no-kill shelter and observed potential adopters’ behaviors. She says she has to agree with Cherry City Kitties – no matter the cat color or activity level, every single one of them poops.
We like cats with coats of all colors and some with no hair at all.
The Musings Of A Crazy Cat Lady recently posted…Wordless Wednesday – Our Tree Is Shedding!
I think black cats are so sleek and handsome. I have to say though that if Austin didn’t have white on him I would trip over him a lot more often!!!
CATachresis recently posted…Watching the world go by!
That is such a poignant post. It makes me so sad that black cats are overlooked and often shunned because of their color.
Oink oink,
Katie and Coccolino the mini pig
Katie and Coccolino the mini pig recently posted…Cold weather, warm mini pig
We’ve had cats in all flavors and we can tell you from experience that we’re all the same under the fur. Like everything else humans do, they tend to attach perceptions to visual characteristics and stay with our first impressions (our human wrote that for us).
Bermadette recently posted…Wordless Wednesday: Autumn Still Life
This isn’t surprising to us but we do think it’s very sad. Why is it okay to judge animals by the color of their fur?
Lisa (@Ryker_Tyker) recently posted…Wordless Wednesday
Humans are the only beings who are prejudiced. It´s so sad, but is the true!
Marilia recently posted…Obrigada Speedy
We don’t think you should judge a cat by its color…’specially black cats. Ernie is probably one of the funniest, silliest, friendliest cats around!
Wally
The Island Cats recently posted…What’s That Wally Doing?
It is very sad kitties are judged by color and especially dark colored kitties are so misunderstood
Tamago recently posted…Award & Sleepy Goro
I hate that, but it isn’t really surprising. Humans still can’t stop it in their own species
Brian recently posted…Womancat Wednesday
We has a white foster kitten that didn’t know the meaning of the words “shy and calm”. And a current tortie kitten that couldn’t be more friendly and outgoing if she tried.
Just goes to show – it isn’t about color (or gender) – it is about purrsonality!!
Random Felines recently posted…wordless wednesday
After 13 years of volunteering at an animal shelter I’ve met a lot of black cats. I think that their behavior and response to people has more to do with how they were treated in their previous homes than genetics tied to coat color. There are sweet lapcats, feisty energetic playful cats and everything in between.
Adopt at shelters!
maggie recently posted…Toni and Chino
I read that tiger (tabby) cats are friendlier than other cats and that black and tux are placid.
We had a black cat growing up; he was placid and seemingly emotionless, but always devoted when you were ill.
Mao is pretty placid. Ched and Emma Peel, a green-eyed brown tabby, are the most devoted beings I’ve ever seen.
Our Siamese cats, apart from being vocal and winding around our feet on the stairs, were also the most devoted beings I’ve known. Our Calico was extremely nervous and my husband’s tortie was such a beyotch (she was an abandoned cat in a low-income area)
Proud owner of 15 cats. Life time. Not at one time.
Kathryn recently posted…Table of Contents
My mostly black tuxie Barney is the sweetest, most loving, most adorable cat to ever put paw on this green earth. In my opinion.
nadbugs recently posted…Drama In Two Acts
We know here that black, grey and ginger cats are friendly and happy, active, sleepy, hungry, playful, aloof, snuggly and every single one of them poop!
Harry, Dexter and Tipp
pee ess (Black Cats Rule ! – Tipp)
Cherry City Kitties recently posted…Please go to give love and purrs.
Poor sweet black kitties, it’s sad they’re judged the way they are.
d’Artagnan Rumblepurr recently posted…A man-cats box is his castle – Rumblepurr