Black Cat Getting White Spots

[raskolnikov]

Hi everyone!

My long fur black cat Kiwi was entirely black when I adopted her. She was 2 years old at time of adoption.

Within a few months she developed a small patch of white ticked fur behind her left ear. The patch has gotten larger as is now about 2 inches in diameter. She also got a second white patch in her neck ruff, but it appears to be in her undercoat (or at least there is black fur covering the patch). This patch is less ticked with black.

I have had the vet do a full blood test/physical on her and she was very healthy (though a little chubby), so I am not particularly worried for her safety, but I was wondering if anyone on here is familiar with this kind of fur change for such a young adult cat. Maybe the white was always there? She is now 7. Hopefully I used the right terminology. I can try to grab a picture when I get home.

 

[abyeb]

I’m glad to hear that you were able to get her checked out at the vet and that she’s healthy. So, I think what this could be is vitiligo, which is purely cosmetic, and causes cats to develop white patches. I’ll attach a helpful article that will explain more: FELINE DEPIGMENTATION CONDITIONS – VITILIGO, LEUKODERMA, LEUKOTRICHIA

 

[raskolnikov]

I’m glad to hear that you were able to get her checked out at the vet and that she’s healthy. So, I think what this could be is vitiligo, which is purely cosmetic, and causes cats to develop white patches. I’ll attach a helpful article that will explain more: FELINE DEPIGMENTATION CONDITIONS – VITILIGO, LEUKODERMA, LEUKOTRICHIA

Thank you. The cats in that link are truly stunning! Good to hear it is cosmetic only. Hopefully this is the case for Kiwi and isnt some condition or lack of nutrient that was missed on her checkup. I trust my vet and Kiwi's coat is glossy and feels soft, so it probably isn't anything to worry about.

 

[raskolnikov]

Here is a picture of the large spot behind her ear. She wouldn't sit still long enough for any other photos.

 

[Catzmeow]

Wow that is amazing. My black cat is getting a few white hairs here and there. He used to be pure black except for a small patch on his chest and belly.

 

[jcat]

It's pretty common for black cats to get (more) white hairs as they mature. Mowgli had three or four white hairs on his chest and a small white stripe on his belly when he was under a year. At seven, his "locket" consists of around 20 hairs, his belly stripe has doubled in size, and he has stray white hairs on his shoulders and back.

What Causes a Black Cat's Fur to Turn Gray?