Black Cats?

[Karen]

Black cats are not more likely to produce more allergens than other colors, that's a myth. It's just that black shed hairs are more noticeable than lighter colors that blend in better, so that rumor came about! But it is the dander - not the hair - that causes allergic reaction! Some of the longer-haired cats give people with allergies less trouble, their dense undercoats mean they tend to leave less dander about.

And it varies from place to place but yes, statistically, black cats get adopted slower - in a cage setting they are harder to see and literally get overlooked, and some people have stereotypes about them lodged in their brains as well, so they can languish and become withdrawn, and then even less likely to be adopted - you get the picture!

[katladyd]

I have allergies to pet dandruff and I have 3 short-haired cats. I just live with the itchy eyes and scratchy throat. It helps quite a bit if I brush them often. Yes, even though I have cats with short hair, I find that long-haired cats bother my allergies much less than short-haired cats. Still, I wouldn't trade my three for anything!

[Freedom]

Never heard that black cats are more or less allergy causing, lol.

Black cats -- and black dogs -- are much less likely to be adopted. It is very difficult to read their facial expressions is one reason; another, as already mentioned, is the idea here in the USA that they are bad luck. Funny thing, in UK, they are considered GOOD luck! Go figure, lol.

Many shelters will not adopt out a black cat at all during the month of October. Sadly, black cats are at high risk around Halloween, so to keep them safe, the shelters hold on to them.

If you want say, a Devon Rex, or another low allergen type, why not check if any are in a rescue? Use Google and put in
devon rex rescue
or which ever other breed you are thinking about.

[kitten645]

I have a thing for blackies after adopting my two 15 years ago. Hobbes has passed but Calvin is still with me. I'd always adopt black boys given another opportunity. They have the most personality of any of the 15 or so cats I've owned in my lifetime. Calvin is a little affectionate monkey that is my heart kitty for sure. He's a velcro cat and makes me laugh each and every day with his antics. The shelters I've worded at did not adopt out black cats in Oct. They tend to be adopted as seasonal ornaments or worse. I also know how difficult they are to photograph so sites like Petfinder have a hard time. I know when Calvin closes his eyes, the can virtually disappear. I think that happens in shelters also and they get over looked. Best of luck in finding your furbaby.

[CrazyCat]

I had also read cats with longer fur cause less allergies in some people, but my boyfriend has stated even with this fact he wants a short haired cat. Which is fine with me as most of the kitties on the adoption website are short-haired.

I had not heard of darker cats causing more allergies either, until yesterday. I don't remember the website, but it said that other than the Fel d 1 there are other sources of allergies and one was some substance found in grey and black fur. But as I research more and more, people say it makes no difference.

Kitten645 - Interesting about the shelters not adopting out the cats in October. About 7 or 8 years ago, when I still lived at home, we got our cat on a Friday the 13th special, where all black cats were $25. The one we got was a Tuxedo cat, but she still counted. So it'll be interesting if they have any out for adoption in October. We must get the cat in October though. I will go crazy if I have to wait another month.

What we may do is visit the shelter a couple of times with a particular cat in mind, and I'll get my boyfriend to nuzzle and hug and kiss the kitty, and we'll see how bad his reaction is.

I don't understand why black animals are not appealing to people. Their coats are so shiney and gorgeous!

[Taz_Zoee]

I volunteer at a shelter and I have not noticed the black dogs and cats being overlooked. We have had a couple litters of blackies this summer and I think only one is left.

Taking the boyfriend to meet the kitty and see how he reacts is a good idea. I lived with a girl that was not allergic to my kitty I had at the time, but she was allergic to her sisters cats. Taz (my kitty) used to sleep on her bed right above her head and she was fine. My boyfriends brother is allergic but wasn't as reactive to Taz either. So I always called Taz my hypo-allergenic kitty.

I hope we will be seeing pictures of a cute black kitty in a month or so.

[moosmom]

In my rescue experience, MOST shelters won't adopt black cats out the month of October due to certain undesireables using them for satanic rituals on Halloween. Not sure about cats in your area.

Karen's right. Black cats don't produce more allergens than any other cat. It's actually the cat's saliva that dries and becomes airborne that most people are allergic to.