Calico Cat Color Question

[sailon]

I have a 10 year old long-hair calico. I've had her since she was 3. She is the somewhat typical black/white/orange, with mostly white around the stomach and legs. I could swear that over the years she has grown in new black and/or orange spots on her legs and neck.

Is this even possible or just something I never noticed before? Just curious.

 

[StefanZ]

Interesting. But white isnt just a color alike any other. It also may cover other colors. So I can imagine, if the white recedes by some reason, the underlying colors will come forward.

 

[ArtNJ]

I read cat color patterns are temperature sensitive. Or some of them are to some extent anyway.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. Gracie (RIP) was a long haired tortie with white, as her white areas were confined to her paws, neck, and a part of her chest area. It did seem over time that the white on her neck and chest area looked smaller than when she was younger (no change in paws). But, tbh, I wondered if it was mostly from the way her hair grew in length (white may have been a smidge shorter) as well as how it 'laid' - making it appear as if the white was less in color, when it actually probably wasn't. Hard to explain, so hope it make sense.

 

[ArtNJ]

Here is a more thorough answer than either of us gave you (though we were not wrong).

Cat Colors: 4 Reasons Your Cat's Fur Changes Over Time | Catster

 

[sailon]

Interesting. But white isnt just a color alike any other. It also may cover other colors. So I can imagine, if the white recedes by some reason, the underlying colors will come forward.

Makes sense and would explain it. Thanks.

 

[sailon]

Hi. Gracie (RIP) was a long haired tortie with white, as her white areas were confined to her paws, neck, and a part of her chest area. It did seem over time that the white on her neck and chest area looked smaller than when she was younger (no change in paws). But, tbh, I wondered if it was mostly from the way her hair grew in length (white may have been a smidge shorter) as well as how it 'laid' - making it appear as if the white was less in color, when it actually probably wasn't. Hard to explain, so hope it make sense.

It does, and certainly a possibility,