Every culture seems to have a unique belief about black cats. In Celtic mythology, they’re believed to be fairies in feline form. In Japan, they’re said to help single women attract handsome suitors. Despite a few negative superstitions, it seems that human civilization has, as a whole, recognized that black cats are special. But their mystique isn't confined to myths and legends. Here are seven 100% true, totally fascinating facts about the beloved black cat.
1. Black cats can change color.
Black cats that spend a lot of time outside in the summer may have their coat bleached by the sun, resulting in rusty red tips. Also, as they age, the coats of some black cats become flecked with white or grey hairs.
2. There’s only one true black cat breed.
While black cats may be commonplace, few are purely black. Many have rusty red highlights, others have white markings or whiskers, and some even have tabby stripes that are only visible in direct sunlight. The purebred Bombay cat, however, has a true black coat with a black nose and paw-pads. Due to their high amounts of melanin, they often have a deep copper eye color that’s uncommon in cats.
3. Black cats may be more resistant to disease.
Scientists theorize that black cats are more resistant to disease for a few reasons. One, the coat color is more common than you’d expect of a recessive trait, suggesting that black cats may have other inherited qualities that make them stronger against disease. Also, the genetic mutation that presents as black fur is similar to one that causes resistance to HIV in people, suggesting that black cats may be more resistant to the feline form of the disease, FIV.
4. Most black cats are male.
The gene responsible for coat color in cats is located on the X chromosome, which, simply put, explains not only why almost all calico cats are female, but also why most black cats are male. Female cats need two copies of the gene to have a black coat color, while males only need one. If you see a black cat, there’s a 75% chance that it is a male.
5. Black cats have a mild personality.
While there is no solid scientific evidence on the connection between coat color and personality, an owner-reported survey from UC Berkeley suggests that black cats have a mild temperament free of extreme personality traits. Not overly affectionate nor terribly skittish, black cats tend to have an air of intelligent, laid-back mystique.
6. To proud parents, they’re known as “voids.”
If you’ve ever tried to photograph an animal with a black coat, you may have noticed how hard it is to capture their details and general shape. Black cats, in photos and in low light settings, tend to look like an astronomical black hole or a dimensionless shadow with a floating pair of piercing yellow eyes. This is why you might hear parents of black cats affectionately refer to their kitties as comforting “voids” that lurk in their home.
7. There’s an exclusive black cat cafe in Japan.
At cafe Nekobiyaka in Himeji, Japan, there are about a dozen adoptable black cats roaming the shop at any given time. Each cat wears a colorful collar to identify them. Once adopted, another black shelter cat is brought in to take their place. Over 300 black shelter cats have been adopted at Nekobiyaka.
FAQs
The company fulfills prescriptions in five to seven days, and other orders often arrive within a few days. 1-800-PetMeds is accredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy as an online veterinary pharmacy, and its products are covered by a satisfaction guarantee.
Is PetMeds reliable? ›
The bottles are a little smaller than I would have liked, however PetMeds is always fast and reliable, they easily work with my vet. This was an easy shop and order experience with helpful customer service. I ordered the item twice and I had to call to confirm my order.
How does 1800petmeds verify prescriptions? ›
If you're ordering prescription medications for your pet, we'll just need you to provide us with your vet's name and telephone number and we'll take it from there! A member of our pharmacy team will contact your vet to obtain the approval for your pet's medication by telephone or fax.
Which is better, Chewy or PetMeds? ›
PetMeds has dog, cat, and horse medication, so they are a great resource for your equine friends. Chewy goes a step further: their pharmacy covers all kinds of farm animals, along with cats, dogs, birds, and even reptiles. So if you have a menagerie, Chewy is probably the best bet for your non-traditional pet.
Is it cheaper to buy pet meds online? ›
Here's why buying from online pet stores is more cost effective. All it takes is a quick online search to find that the pet medication your veterinarian just wrote you a prescription for is drastically cheaper at online pet stores than purchasing the medication at his or her office.
Can GoodRx be used on pet meds? ›
Yes! If your pet has been prescribed a human medication like Latanoprost, most GoodRx coupons will work for your pet's prescription at local retail pharmacies. To find prices and coupons for your pet, go to our homepage and search for the name of your pet's prescription like you would for any other medication.
Is it safe to order PetMeds from chewy? ›
So it's fine to buy pet medications online as long as you do your homework to make sure the retailer is approved first. Learn whether a website has been approved by theNABP by copying its URL into a search box at safe. pharmacy. (Approved websites include 1-800-PetMeds, Chewy, and PetCareRx.)
Is it safe to buy dog medicine online? ›
Some animals can only handle certain kinds of drugs, and your vet is trained in this. For this reason, it is very important to never buy a prescription-only drug online without a prescription from your vet! In addition, you want to especially avoid buying NSAIDS or heartworm pills online.
Are generic PetMeds safe? ›
Is a generic animal drug as safe and effective as the brand name animal drug? Yes. FDA requires a generic drug to have the same quality, performance, and intended uses as the already-approved brand name drug. The generic drug must be bioequivalent to the approved brand name drug.
What is the guarantee on 1-800-PetMeds? ›
We guarantee you'll get the same exact medications prescribed by your veterinarian, all fully approved for sale and use in the United States. We guarantee your complete satisfaction or your money back!
Founded in 1996, PetMed Express is Your Most Trusted Pet Health Expert®, delivering prescription and non-prescription pet medications and other health products for dogs, cats, and horses at competitive prices direct to the consumer through its 1-800-PetMeds toll free number and through its website at petmeds.com.
Where does 1-800-PetMeds ship from? ›
Is 1800PetMeds from USA? Yes, 1800PetMeds is from USA. It's headquarters is located in Delray Beach, FL, USA.
Can I buy pet medication without a vet prescription? ›
Only those pet meds require a prescription that may have some side effects or the sedation effects like drugs, antibiotics and sedatives; otherwise, you may easily get the over-the-counter (OTC) pet medications from your nearest vet pharmacy.
Does Chewy actually contact the vet? ›
If you select "I want Chewy to contact my veterinarian" while placing your order, we will contact your veterinarian on your behalf to get approval for your pet's prescription.
Is Chewy cheaper than vet? ›
Ordering pet medications from online retailers, such as Chewy, Petco, PetMeds, and WalmartPetRx, can be cheaper than getting them at the veterinarian's office, and also offers the added convenience of home delivery and automatic refills.
How do you know if an online pet pharmacy is real? ›
A—Always Check If and Where the Online Pharmacy Is Licensed
You can find the contact information for the state boards of pharmacy by visiting FDA's Locate a State-licensed Online Pharmacy webpage, finding your state in the list, and clicking on the link.
Is it safe to order pet meds from chewy? ›
So it's fine to buy pet medications online as long as you do your homework to make sure the retailer is approved first. Learn whether a website has been approved by theNABP by copying its URL into a search box at safe. pharmacy. (Approved websites include 1-800-PetMeds, Chewy, and PetCareRx.)
How to order from 1800 pet meds? ›
How do I order from PetMeds®? Call us at 1-800-PetMeds (1-800-738-6337) or browse our website. To start shopping online you can browse by category or pet symptom, or simply search for the products you need.
