🫂 CAT COMMUNITY
UK experts warn against buying ‘XL bully cats’

A new breed of cat, resembling XL bully dogs, is being sold in the UK, but experts are raising alarms about the severe health issues these animals face. This hybrid cat is a mix of hairless Sphynx cats and short-legged munchkin cats, and while it’s gaining popularity, specialists warn that these cats may have a life expectancy six years shorter than average due to serious genetic defects. Dr. Grace Carroll, an animal behavior expert, emphasizes that potential pet owners should be aware of the risks of buying "mutant" breeds, stressing that consumers have the power to discourage breeders from prioritizing aesthetics over animal welfare.

Breeders are already marketing these cats on social media, despite concerns about the health problems they can experience, like difficulties with navigation due to the absence of whiskers, and issues regulating body temperature from their hairlessness. Additionally, the short legs, a genetic defect, can cause arthritis and mobility challenges. Animal welfare organizations, such as Cats Protection and the NatureWatch Foundation, are urging people not to support this trend, comparing it to the extreme breeding practices seen in the dog world. They stress that promoting ethical breeding is essential to ensure future generations of cats are healthier and free from unnecessary suffering.

🫂 CAT CULTURE
Bad luck stereotype of black cats leads to lower adoptions

The superstitions around black cats, tracing back to ancient Celtic festivals and medieval Europe, have unfortunately led to negative perceptions that persist today. The Cat Sìth, a magical black cat with a white spot on its chest, was once associated with blessings during the Celtic celebration of Samhain. However, things took a dark turn when, between the 9th and 13th centuries, black cats began being linked to witches. The fear escalated when Pope Gregory IX declared black cats as incarnations of Satan in the official church document "Vox in Rama" in 1233, intensifying witch hunts and leading to brutal acts against both women and animals accused of witchcraft.

As the fear of black cats spread from Europe to the New World, early American Puritans brought these superstitions with them. This irrational belief system painted black cats as witch accomplices or even devils in disguise, leading to horrific acts like burning black cats alongside accused witches during the infamous Salem witch trials. It didn’t stop there—many believed that encountering a black cat crossing their path meant a curse or bad omen, prompting them to seek blessings from the church, which turned this fear into a profitable practice. The church’s endorsement of these superstitions contributed to the ongoing demonization of black cats and the mistreatment they suffered.

Today, these outdated beliefs still affect black cats in a very real way. According to the National Library of Medicine, black cats face the highest rates of euthanasia in shelters at 74.6% and have the lowest adoption rates at just 10%. It's time to break these harmful stereotypes and give black cats the love and homes they deserve. Let’s keep the aura of Halloween but leave behind the outdated superstitions. After all, a little black cat crossing your path might just be looking for a warm lap to curl up in, not bringing you bad luck.

🧑‍🔬 SCIENCE SCOOP
Study Confirms a Simple Trick to Communicate With Your Cat

Cats might have a reputation for being aloof, but maybe we’re just not speaking their language correctly. A 2020 study found that using a slow-blink technique—essentially the cat version of smiling—can help build a stronger bond with your feline friend. This research showed that cats are more likely to approach and respond to humans who slow-blink at them, creating a kind of non-verbal conversation between species.

What the study found 👇

• Slow-Blinking Experiment: Cat owners slow-blinked at their cats, and the cats were observed to blink back, demonstrating mutual communication.

• Stranger Experiment: When strangers used the slow-blink technique and extended a hand, cats were more likely to both blink back and approach the hand.

• Cat Smiling: Slow-blinking mimics how cats smile, signaling friendliness and trust. It’s similar to how we narrow our eyes when we’re content.

• A Positive Connection: This technique helps to create a bond, which can be beneficial in home settings and during potentially stressful situations like vet visits.

• Cat-Human Interaction: Researchers believe that understanding how cats communicate with us not only improves the human-feline bond but can also contribute to their emotional health and overall welfare.

While cats might not throw tail-wagging parties like dogs, they’ve got their own way of bonding with us. So, next time you lock eyes with your kitty, try giving them a slow blink—it’s like sending a little “Hey, we’re cool” message. Who knows, you might just start a new kind of cat chat and get a blink or two back!