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A small black kitten sits on a concrete step facing a glowing carved jack-o'-lantern, with a blue door and mums behind. 20 / 21

A Tiny Black Kitten Had a Staring Contest With a Jack-o'-Lantern

AI imageblack kittenhalloweenjack-o'-lantern

Face to face with a glowing jack-o'-lantern, a small black kitten sits perfectly still on the concrete step. The pumpkin grins with a triangle nose and a jagged smile, and its candlelight spills onto the step. Behind the pair, an open blue door, a wreath, a pot of orange mums and a few slippers set the scene for a front porch that has been decorated with care.

Cats and candles are not a good mix. A flame inside a pumpkin can be knocked over by a curious paw, and a cat's tail or whiskers might singe if she gets too close. A flameless LED candle gives the same glow without any danger, and it's a good idea to place pumpkins where kittens can't tip them over. If a kitten spends time on the porch, keep her supervised.

Kittens like to stare at things that move or flicker, and a glowing pumpkin can look like a living creature. They often react with curiosity or caution, sometimes both. Giving her time to sniff and inspect from a distance helps her build confidence. Sitting next to the pumpkin is the kitten's way of saying she's brave enough to be near, but not too near.

These two seem to be having a staring contest. The pumpkin has the advantage of never blinking, but the kitten has whiskers.

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