Why does my cat's hair color change

Lovely and adorable cat with tabby hair

Do you have a cat and its hair color is changing? Although it is not something very frequent, it does happen a lot. Black kittens that turn reddish brown over time, or even tabby cats that end up with some white hairs.

If you are wondering why my cat's hair color changes, then we will tell you what the possible causes are.

Main causes of hair color change in cats

White cat with blue eyes

For the Sun

As with our hair, especially during the summer if our furry has permission to go outside or to the patio, we can see how his hair lightens. Why? Because the sun's rays affect the structure and color of the hair, which is determined through a pigment called melanin. Melanin originates from cells, melanocytes, which form the papilla or hair root.

Genetics

Genes are in charge of telling cells how and where they have to form to create a leg, an eye, a back,… in short, everything we are. What's more, determine hair color, both the one we have and that of our beloved cat. So, there is nothing to worry about 🙂.

Stress

The cat is an animal that does not tolerate Stress. If you live in a tense environment or where you are not respected, you will feel very bad and can react equally in a way that we do not like. If the situation continues, your hair can change color, or even fall due to the so-called Telogen Effluvium. This is a problem that occurs when many of the hair follicles go directly from the growth phase (Anagen) to the fall phase (Telogen).

Fortunately, it is neither hereditary nor permanent. You just have to take care of the cat as it deserves so that you can have healthy hair again.

Aging

As the cat gets older cells in your body and coat don't reproduce as much or as fast as they used to, so it is normal for you to have your first gray hair from the age of 10.

More reasons why a cat can change color in its fur

Long haired cat

You have probably seen cats that are supposed to be black, but their fur is reddish brown. You may have seen Oriental breed cats with dark fur on the sides and back, as well as on the tail, face, and feet. Or maybe you've seen one of your own cats change color over the years. Here are more factors that can influence the colors of the cat and why the cat's coat can change color over time.

Temperature can affect the cat's colors

In Siamese, Himalayan, and other Oriental cats, the cat's coat color is determined by its fur temperature. The skin is cooler on the extremities of the body (feet, tail and ears / face), thus they have white or cream-colored bodies and darker "spots". But skin temperature is not the only determining factor. The temperature of the cat's environment can have a similar effect: the Siamese cat can be darkened in the colder winter months.

Nutrition plays a role in the colors of cats

A diet deficient in the amino acid tyrosine can cause the color of the fur of black cats to change from black to reddish.. Tyrosine is necessary to produce melanin, the dark pigment in a cat's fur, and if a cat doesn't get enough tyrosine in his diet, his ebony fur can fade.

Other nutritional problems, such as copper deficiency and excess zinc, can cause black fur to lighten as well. However, you have to make sure to consult your vet before giving your cat supplements, as a change in coat color could also indicate kidney, liver, or thyroid disease.

Cat colors can change with age

As we discussed above, as cats grow, they begin to have gray hair just like humans. But unless your cat is dark in color, you probably won't notice the trailing silver threads. The coats of eastern Siamese breeds and other eastern dark-tipped breeds also darken with age.. Siamese kittens are born white and only begin to develop their colored spots once they are outside their mother's womb, so this phenomenon is likely a continuation of that process.

Health problems

Long-haired white cat

Several different chronic health problems can alter your cat's coat and skin color, so if you see any strange changes in the coat of your cat's skin, you will have to make a visit to the vet to investigate if your cat's health is having problems and the fur color path is only a warning that you must take into account to improve their care.

Liver and kidney problems, as well as long-term problems such as thyroid hormone deficiency, can lead to changes in the color and even the texture of your cat's coat and, in some cases, also in its eyes, mucous membranes. and skin. If your cat's color seems to have changed in a very short space of time and there is no obvious reason, talk to your vet as soon as possible to make sure there is nothing wrong with your feline's health.

Discoloration on your cat's skin

The color of your cat's fur can change over time, which is an inherited trait for some cats. Pigment change can happen all over or just in some spots. However, changing skin color can also mean some serious health problems so it should always be checked by the vet.

Large dark patches

If your kitty's fur has patches that are darker, it could be totally normal. Some cats are born with spotty fur, which is just an inherited trait. Hair is generally darker where your skin is darker, although that's not always the case. However, if your cat's fur has always been a solid color and he suddenly develops dark spots, see the vet immediately. This can be a sign of serious problems, such as skin cancer, tumors, or immune disorders.

Small dots

As your cat grows, she may develop brown circles or small white spots on her skin, particularly on and around her face. Although any change is worth mentioning to your vet, it is likely a benign skin change if not accompanied by other symptoms, such as scratching or losing your appetite. Lentigo affects orange cats and creates small brown or black circles on the skin. Vitiligo is the loss of pigment, which means that white spots appear. This can also change the color of the hair, turning it white over the affected areas.

Change throughout the body

A sudden change in the color of your kitty's fur all over her body is usually a symptom of a larger problem that needs immediate vet attention. Cushing's disease, or too many corticosteroids in your cat's body, can cause darker skin, bruising, and hair loss, or your feline friend's skin may appear thinner than normal. With hypothyroidism, your cat's skin may turn darker or lighter, and her hair may appear brittle. A yellow tinge to your kitty's fur often reflects jaundice, which means something is wrong with her liver function. Inflammation from long-term exposure to an allergen can also make the skin appear thicker and darker.

Young cat with healthy hair

As always, whenever you are unsure about something happening with your cat, your best resource is your vet. Do you know why your cat's hair color changes?


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