Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Pinkbear (Julie) on August 03, 2007, 20:17:19 PM

Title: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: Pinkbear (Julie) on August 03, 2007, 20:17:19 PM
Don't know what section is best for this one...  :scared:

It's one of those things that you sudden realise, but must have been going on for some time. I think my Tilly is going grey.  :shy: She's always had a small band of grey hair around where her collar would have been - which I put down to damage to the pigments by the collar. But today, I've noticed she's getting grey growth around the face and on her forehead between the ears - just a few. And she's also got the first signs of her eye brows and whiskers growing through grey.

So... do cats go grey?  :innocent: Her age is estimated anywhere between 10-15 years.
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: hOrZa on August 03, 2007, 20:36:02 PM
Black labs do so you would think so my last black cat is still to young to know
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: JackSpratt on August 03, 2007, 20:40:19 PM
Yep, my Old Guy most definately has distinguished flecks in what used to be jet black fur. I think he looks gorgeous all the same!
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: Pinkbear (Julie) on August 03, 2007, 21:08:27 PM
I wonder if it's maybe just a black cat thing, then?  :scared: I've had lots of cats older than Tilly is, but I've never noticed grey hairs of them.  :shy:
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: fluffybunny on August 03, 2007, 22:05:42 PM
Sooty was around 20 when he died recently, and he did have a few grey hairs on him but not a tremendous amount - his fur had mostly turned more reddy/chestnut brown in colour whereas it always used to be jet black.  Maybe on cats of other colours, the greys just blend in better so are less noticeable  :-: 
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: Rosella moggy on August 03, 2007, 22:54:11 PM
Thomas will be 18 this Christmas. He does have occasional white hairs but hardly noticeable as you can see
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: JackSpratt on August 03, 2007, 23:56:24 PM
Hmmm...I think it's just more obvious in a black cat. I think maybe other colours get grey fur it just blends in to their natural patterning.
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: fluffybunny on August 04, 2007, 08:20:11 AM
Gosh Thomas is a handsome fellow  :Luv:
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: Pinkbear (Julie) on August 04, 2007, 08:28:10 AM
Gosh Thomas is a handsome fellow  :Luv:

He surely is...  :Luv:

I never seem to get a decent pic of Tilly. She always comes out looking like a panther about to take someone's arm off.  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: Ela on August 04, 2007, 10:33:54 AM
I have noticed that around Jeannie's mouth some white hairs are appearing.
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: Lizzie on August 04, 2007, 11:47:49 AM
I'm sure they do - all the oldies I've owned have gone lighter/diluted with age - grey/white/brown around the face,ears and neck.  I think you don't really notice it until you compare them with an old photo of when they were younger - that's when you see the change.

Just like ourselves, I suppose!
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: Mark on August 04, 2007, 20:37:40 PM
I have noticed a few white airs appearing on kylie and she's about 8. Willow is a little bit older but no sign of white yet. We always say that Willow is young for her age and will outlive us all  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: Pinkbear (Julie) on August 04, 2007, 20:57:40 PM
We always say that Willow is young for her age and will outlive us all  :evillaugh:

From what we hear, Mark, she'll probably be responsible for her outliving you.  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: Mark on August 04, 2007, 21:05:00 PM
Funny but I nearly added that she will be the death of me  :evillaugh:

She peed on my nylon gymbag on the coffe table yesterday - ruined my cheque book and has gone on my ipod too  >:(
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: JackSpratt on August 05, 2007, 08:29:50 AM
 :scared: Is she still no better then, Mark?
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: Mark on August 05, 2007, 18:43:01 PM
She has her moments. You have to make sure there is nothing fabric or plastic on any vertical services otherwise she will water them for you  :tired:

Edit - I meant horizontal   :shy:
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: Christine (Blip) on August 05, 2007, 19:02:53 PM
Blip has a couple of extra white hairs (she is nine years old) but no sign of going grey.

I, on the other hand...  :doh:
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on August 06, 2007, 08:16:15 AM
Ginger got more white hairs in his ginger patches as he got older, dont think Molly has got any more white hairs, but Tom got more in his black patches.
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: clarenmax on August 06, 2007, 10:15:18 AM
Max is nearly 9 and he's got a few grey patches appearing, he's got a little bit on his chest which looks very cute  :Luv:
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: Pinkbear (Julie) on August 06, 2007, 11:46:17 AM
It's odd, but since I've really started taking notice this last few days, I've noticed more grey each day.

She's now got a few on her back I swear weren't there yesterday... maybe this place is sending me nuts?  :Crazy: :rofl:
Title: Re: Do black cats go grey?
Post by: cheekee_munkee on August 06, 2007, 23:42:46 PM
My jemilla got a few white hairs bless her.

They need to make a "just for men" for cats   :innocent: