Why White Cats Are the Most Bullied Cats by Other Cats
Have you ever noticed a white cat all alone? They often get picked on by other cats. It’s part of nature, but that doesn’t make it right. White cats might not fit in the wild, but they make wonderful pets. Keep on reading to find out why white cats are so bullied and how you can help them.
Can you remember the last time you saw a white cat on the street? If you can, you might also recall that it was alone. Quiet, a little shy, and keeping its distance. Or if it wasn’t completely alone, the other cats around it probably weren’t very welcoming. That’s because white cats are often the most bullied among all cat colours.
But what makes them the target of such behaviour? In this article, we explore just that.
2 Reasons Why Cats Bully White Cats
Cat enthusiasts and researchers have looked into this topic to figure out a way to help white cats, and they found two reasons for being bullied:
White Cats Can’t Camouflage
Cats survive by being stealthy, agile hunters, moving quietly, blending into their surroundings, and staying hidden. But for white cats, this becomes a challenge. White fur stands out, making them easier to spot, not just by prey but by other animals as well.
In nature, colour plays the most important role in survival. In snowy regions, animals like foxes, wolves, and bears have white fur to disappear into their environment. Those in forests or mountains are shades of brown, gray, or black.
invisibleThis means a white cat that fails to blend in becomes a moving target.
And in a world where survival depends on staying invisible, this disadvantage can make life much harder.
White Fur is Ugly
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and for cats, that couldn’t be more true. While humans are drawn to symmetry and polished appearances, a cat’s perception of beauty is measured by survival.
As mentioned earlier, white cats stand out in their surroundings, making them easier targets and less effective hunters. In their world, fur colour isn’t an inconvenience but a disadvantage.
A cat with white fur is more exposed, while those with multi-coloured coats, like calicos or tortoiseshells, blend in more easily.
Ways To Help A White Cat
If you have a white neighborhood cat or share your home with multiple cats and one of them is white, you may have noticed a pattern. White cats often find themselves singled out, treated differently, or even bullied.
As a caring cat lover, it’s only natural to want to help.
One method that has shown promising results is temporary colouring the cat’s fur. Using pet-safe dyes, food colouring, or special fur-colouring powders, some cat owners have given their white cats a new shade and, with it, a new experience.
Those who have tried this have come out with successful stories: the white cat was bullied less, became more confident, and even held a stronger presence among other cats.
This small change can make a meaningful difference in their social interactions.
Final Thoughts
Cats bullying white cats is part of nature's course of natural selection, but that doesn’t mean they’re right in acting upon their instincts. White cats might not be made for the wild, but they sure are great house cats.
Just like black cats are misunderstood by people, white cats are misunderstood by other cats. The best thing you could do is provide a white cat with a loving home.