Q.  Can a cat take away a baby’s breath?

A. Possibly the oldest and most persistent myth still in current circulation is that of a jealous cat sucking a baby’s breath or smothering the baby. While most cats are repelled by the human breath, they may be attracted to the smell of milk on a baby’s lips and may even try to clean away any milk still there. In addition, cats may instinctively clear up milk on a baby’s face just as they would wash kittens – it stops the milk from going rancid and attracting predators. Cats also like to snuggle in warm places and may try to sleep alongside the baby in a warm crib. Mostly they tuck in alongside junior, but parents are obviously concerned that they may end up on top of the baby, accidentally suffocating it. In the past, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS or Cot Death) wasn’t recognized and many a household cat was blamed by distraught parents who found their child dead one morning and the cat in the vicinity of the “crime”.

How did such a superstition arise? Cats were once believed to be witches’ familiars who would steal a baby’s soul. Many old wives’ tales evolved from simple hygiene messages. In the days before good health care or veterinary care, zoonoses (disease spread from animal to man) were a hazard and keeping animals away from newborns was a sensible precaution. Although associated with witch-craft, “sucking out the breath” may have been intended to mean suffocation.

Q. Do “cabbits,” (a hybrid of cats and rabbits) exist?

A. It is possible to cross-breed some animals, however they must come from the same species.  For example, you can crossbreed horses, zebras and donkeys because all of these animals are closely related genetically.  But it is against the Laws of Genetics to cross breed cats and rabbits because their species are inherently unrelated.  Even if kitty and bunny were to fall madly in love and decide to have babies, their genes are so incompatible due to different genetic codes that no offspring would be produced.

Q.  Are black cats bad luck and evil?

A.  Halloween promotions and old wives’ tales have contributed to a notion that black cats are “bad luck” or “evil.” This is entirely false! They are just as lucky and good natured as their light-colored feline friends. Unfortunately, black cats suffer from the stigma of their color. Across the U.S., black cats are frequently the ones who remain at the shelter the longest. Most often, they are the ones abused by cruel people during the month of October, around Halloween.

If you own a black cat or a mostly black cat and allow her to roam outdoors, please consider keeping her inside at all times—and especially during the month of October.