5 reasons why light-colored cats bullied?
Some people believe that bullying behavior among cats does not occur, yet it does, based on our experiences on Ya Ya.Therefore, we would like to share about this topic of why light-colored cats bullied easily in cat society.
It's possible that light-colored cats (white and grey) have a harder time fitting in if you've ever watched a bunch of cats. Light-colored cats, in comparison to more dominant cats with tabby markings or other color patterns, are more likely to be bullied and encounter hostility everywhere they go. But why is that the case? Let's look at what is causing this to happen.
1. Visibility Issues and Survival Instincts: Because of their striking appearance, lighter-colored cats, such as white, cream, and pale grey, have challenges in the wild. In cat society, this makes cats more identifiable since their fur makes them easily recognized by predators. It has also been suggested that cats are more sensitive to the color white than other colors. Because cats sense light more vividly, lighter hair might look too bright or even glowing, which may annoy or unsettle other cats, as we know that cats prefer a darker environment, which causes them to avoid or confront these lighter-colored cats more frequently.
4. Sensory Perception Differences: Cats perceive colors and contrasts differently than humans. To them, lighter colors may show out more vividly against the background, making lighter-colored cats look strange or unusual. This apparent difference can lead to social isolation or aggressiveness, as cats may choose to interact with those who blend in better with their surroundings.
5. Adoption Preferences and Stray Cat Populations: Stray cats are commonly noted to have darker fur colors. These hues are more common in the feline population and offer superior natural camouflage, allowing cats to thrive in the environment. Lighter-colored cats, on the other hand, are more commonly identified with specific breeds like Ragdolls and Persians. These breeds are attractive to humans because of their appearance. We've encountered such lighter-colored feral cats and have successfully rehomed them into loving families—a more detailed account of these efforts is available on our CSR page.
The preference for lighter-colored cats as pets can be attributed to their perceived cuteness and striking appearance, significantly increasing their chances of being adopted. This human bias creates a discrepancy in the stray cat population, with darker-colored cats being overrepresented. Not being as visually appealing to potential adopters, darker-colored cats are less likely to find homes and thus continue to live in the wild.
