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Can Orange Cats Turn White – Is It Normal?

Can Orange Cats Turn White – Is It Normal?

Orange cats are some of the most popular colors out there. However, every cat is different, and in some cases, their fur colors can change over time. What about orange cats? Can orange cats turn white?

Yes, Orange cats can turn white. Orange cats can experience fur changes that can lighten their coat color. Things that are harmless such as sun bleaching and changes in skin temperature, can temporarily lighten your cat’s orange fur. In addition to this, aging cats will often develop grey or white fur as well.

Some more serious conditions can also cause fur changes in cats, such as nutrient deficiencies and stress. Here we will be explaining everything that cat owners need to know about their cats’ fur changes. 

Why Is My Orange Cat Turning White

There are several reasons why your orange cat may be turning white. These include external factors like the sun and internal issues like nutrient deficiency. Here are some reasons why your orange cat may be turning white. 

Sun Bleaching 

It is very common for cats to develop lighter fur after a lot of sunbathing. This is a completely natural reaction to the sun, and it is nothing that cat owners need to worry about. If your cat likes to spend their time lying in the sun, and their fur is getting lighter, this is likely the reason why. 

Old Age

Like humans, cats will start to develop grey and white hair as they get into their senior years. This may cause an orange cat to get a bit of white hair in its coat. This is yet another completely natural occurrence and shouldn’t be of any concern to cat owners of elderly cats. 

Changes In Skin Temperature

Differences in skin temperature can cause cats to have different colored fur on different parts of their bodies. This is where the pointed coat pattern comes from. Their fur will be white on the cat’s torso, where they are warmest and have colored points on the cooler parts of their body. This causes points on a cat’s legs, paws, ears, and face. In some rare instances, these points can be in an orange color. 

Nutrient Deficiencies 

A more serious cause of coat changes in cats is a nutrient deficiency. Usually, your cat will also present some other signs of a diet problem, such as hair loss and digestion issues. If you are concerned about your cat’s diet, then we recommend taking your cat to the vet about these issues. 

Illnesses

Sometimes medical conditions and illnesses can cause fur changes in cats. When this is the cause of your cat’s coat color changes, it is usually paired with other troubling symptoms. We always recommend taking your cat to the vet as soon as possible if you suspect that they are sick or are suffering from a medical condition. 

Chronic Stress Or Anxiety

In some rare instances, extreme and chronic stress or anxiety could cause coat changes in cats. This stress level is not healthy in cats, and we recommend taking your cat to the vet if you suspect that this is the cause of their coat color changes. 

Can White Cats Turn Orange

White kittens can turn orange as they age. It is very common for kittens to be born entirely white but have a different coat color as an adult cat. The coat may start to change in a kitten at around three weeks old, but it can take up to 9 months for a kitten’s fur to change completely into their adult coat. 

If your older white cat is turning orange, this is likely due to saliva staining resulting from excessive grooming. This can be caused by several things, including things that cause itchy skin, such as fleas, mites, allergies, ringworm, and more. In addition to this, things that cause pain, such as injuries or painful conditions like arthritis, can lead a cat to excessively groom themselves as well. As a result, we recommend taking your cat to the vet if your older cat is suddenly turning orange. 

Can A Cat’s Fur Change Colour

Yes, a cat’s fur can change color. Although these coat changes are caused by everyday things such as aging or the sun bleaching their fur, sometimes illnesses, nutrient deficiencies, and other conditions can cause this to happen in cats. As a result, coat changes in cats can sometimes signify that you need to take them to the vet if they are also experiencing other troubling symptoms alongside these coat color changes. Symptoms like hair loss, excessive grooming, and digestion issues are all things that should definitely raise concerns in cat owners. 

Why Is My Kitten’s Fur Changing Colour 

It is very common for very young kittens to go through changes in their coat color, and it is considered to be a normal part of the aging process in cats. Most of the time, a very young kitten’s fur changing color should be nothing for cat owners to worry about unless it is paired with signs of a nutrient deficiency or illness. 

Things To Consider 

There are some other things that you should consider when it comes to if orange cats can turn white. These include when you should see a vet about your cat’s fur color changes and signs that your cat’s coat changes are normal. Here are some other things to consider about a cat’s fur changing colors. 

When To See A Vet About Your Cat’s Fur Color Changes 

Although not every cat’s coat color changes are caused by an issue that requires veterinary attention, there are some instances where they are. Here are some signs that you should take your cat to the vet for their coat changes. 

  • If your cat is also experiencing hair loss
  • Excessive grooming 
  • vomiting, diarrhea, and other signs of digestive issues
  • Other signs of an illness or medical condition such as weight loss, itchy skin, lethargy, etc 
  • Signs of pain or an injury such as limping, lethargy, strange posture, an increase in vocalizations, etc
  • Signs of extreme and chronic stress or anxiety such as hiding, aggressive behaviors, etc

If you notice any of the above symptoms and coat color changes in your cat, then it is good to take them to the vet as soon as possible. This is because it is likely that these coat color changes are caused by an illness or medical condition that requires a vet’s attention to improve. 

Signs That Your Cat’s Fur Color Changes Are Normal

What about if your cat’s coat color is changing, but there are no signs of a medical condition? Well, severe conditions are not necessarily the cause for coat changes in every cat. Here are some signs that your cat’s fur color changes are normal and nothing that should concern cat owners immediately. 

  • If your cat is elderly and they are starting to develop white or grey hairs
  • If your cat enjoys spending a lot of time lying in the sun 
  • If you have a very young kitten that is starting to go through coat changes 

If any of the above situations pertain to you and your cat, then it is likely that their coat changes are normal and are nothing that you need to worry about. This is especially true if they also seem to be completely healthy and happy.