Veterinarian Explains 5 Scary Superstitions Associated with Pets. Illustration: Petepop
There are many superstitions surrounding animals, especially pets. From howling dogs signaling death to cats spreading gossip, there are plenty of stories tied to our furry friends.
“Whether you believe in them or not, you are undoubtedly aware of some of the superstitions surrounding our pets – and there are some truly strange ones that date back centuries!” said Nina Downing, veterinary nurse at the PDSA, to Wales Online.
Check out the origins of some of the most popular (and spooky) superstitions about pets:
1 – Dogs and cats have a sixth sense and can see ghosts
Many pet owners have seen their dogs barking at nothing or their cats staring at something no one else can see. This might indicate spooky happenings to some, but there is no evidence to suggest that they are sensing the paranormal.
Because dogs’ and cats’ senses are sharper than ours, they may be picking up on something too quiet for us to hear.
2 – Cats spread gossip
This is a superstition that originated in the Netherlands, where people were warned not to have private conversations in front of cats.
3 – A howling dog means death
This is very morbid and, thankfully, false. If you hear a dog howling, it doesn’t mean someone has died; you might just live near a dog howling back.
4 – Do cats have seven or nine lives?
This number varies depending on the culture of each country; generally, English-speaking countries claim that cats have 9 lives.
It is believed that the legend of cats having 7 lives came to Brazil from Portugal, as the country was still heavily influenced by the church at the time.
While it is true that cats often land on their feet and may live to tell the tale after many attempts, they, unfortunately, have only one life.
5 – Black cats bring bad luck
This is a superstition that, unfortunately, means black cats are often the last to be adopted from shelters. The myth is linked to their presence as bad omens in literature and their frequent portrayal as companions of witches.
This misconception has given black cats a bad reputation when, in reality, they offer just as much love and support as other cats. In fact, a recent survey revealed that almost half of the owners believe their black cats bring good luck, not bad.
Illustrations: Petepop. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
