Why Does My White Cat Have Black Hairs – What To Know

Having a white cat comes with plenty of complications, like always brushing their fur off your clothing. But one thing most white cat owners aren’t prepared for is when they start finding black hair mixed in with the rest of their cat’s white fur. After all, when you get a white cat, you expect them to be, well, white. So why do white cats sometimes have black hair?

White cats can have black hairs when a few hair follicles produce more melanin pigment than the rest. But it’s also possible that your cat might have vitiligo and used to be a black cat or that their nutrition is causing changes to their coat.

Don’t worry too much. Usually, you don’t need to worry about a few black hairs in an otherwise white coat. Here’s what you need to know about black hairs on a white cat. 

Why Is My White Cat Turning Black

If your white cat is turning black, it’s natural to be a little concerned, but there are many reasons that their fur might be discolored. The first thing you should check is to make sure they don’t have soot or dirt in their fur. After all, white fur is the easiest to stain and get dirty. 

Once you’ve ruled out the possibility that dirt or something in their fur is to blame, the next step is to consider whether you’ve given them any medication, changed their diet, or applied anything topical to your cat in the last few days and weeks. 

It’s more common for black fur to turn white than the other way around, so it’s important to remember as much of your cat’s health history as possible. 

It’s also a good idea to consult your vet at this point. If your cat was adopted recently, it might be that you’re seeing their real coat color thanks to better quality food and care. Some food deficiencies can make a cat’s fur seem much paler than it would be without the deficiency. So once your cat gets higher quality food, its fur coat can darken. 

Can A Black Cat’s Fur Turn White

Yes, black cats can have their fur turn white. Most black cats will get a little paler and develop some white patches as they age, but there are other ways a black cat might turn white. 

Malnutrition or vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also make your cat’s fur paler than it should be, even white. Fortunately, most of the time, your cat’s fur will bounce back as soon as they start getting high-nutrient food again, and any other cause of malnutrition is addressed. 

Black cats can also have a condition called vitiligo that can make them start to lose pigment in patches, and eventually, it may make them entirely white. However, vitiligo usually progresses over time, so your cat’s fur won’t change all at once. 

Any time you notice significant changes in your cat’s fur, it’s essential to talk with their vet to make sure there aren’t any reasons to be worried. 

Do Cat’s Coats Get Darker

Most of the time, your cat’s coat won’t change color much over time, but some small changes can happen. Usually, as your cat gets older, their fur will change a few shades every few years, sometimes darker and sometimes lighter. Then, when your cat is a senior and starts showing its age, its fur tends to start getting a little lighter. 

Radical changes to your cat’s coat color are rare. If your cat’s coat starts to get darker, it might be a sign that something about their health is changing or because of a change in their diet. 

Your cat’s coat may also appear darker after you’ve started brushing or washing it because it’s healthier. Usually, brushing or washing will only change your cat’s fur a couple of shades. It shouldn’t cause a dramatic shift unless something you’re using is discoloring their fur. 

Why Does My Cat Have One Black Whisker

It’s normal for white cats to occasionally have a black whisker, just like cats sometimes grow a thicker or thinner whisker or when the coloration changes along the length of the whisker. 

In some cases, your cat may always have a black whisker, or they may grow a white one after the black one sheds. 

Why Is My White Cat’s Fur Turning Gray

White cats’ fur can sometimes look naturally gray, but there are a few reasons you should be concerned if your white cat suddenly starts looking a little gray. 

For one thing, your cat might have gotten something in their fur they shouldn’t have, and they might need a bath. 

More concerning, grayish-looking fur can signify that your cat isn’t getting everything they need from their diet or that they aren’t grooming their fur well enough anymore. You should check your cat for signs of weight loss, make sure they’re still eating, and contact a vet if their fur doesn’t go back to its normal white color within a few days. 

How Do I Get My White Cat White Again

If your cat has gotten a stain on its white fur, it’s natural to want to clean it off somehow. Most of the time, as long as the source of the stain isn’t dangerous for your cat, they’ll be able to groom themselves clean given enough time. But sometimes, you need to give your cat a little help, either because the stain is possibly dangerous or because they can’t groom it effectively. 

The simplest option in those cases is to use a cat wipe, which is wet wipes but designed to be safe for cats. 

In some cases, though, cat wipes aren’t strong enough or effective enough. In those cases, you’re left with a couple of options. You can use a dry cleanser like baking power, but you’ll need to make sure you altogether remove the cleanser from your cat’s fur before letting them go. Or, you can give them a bath and use cat shampoo or a little hydrogen peroxide diluted in water to clean their fur. 

Try to only spot-clean unless they need a complete bath. Spot cleaning is usually faster and less stressful for your cat and less likely to cause problems from getting too wet. 

Never try to use bleach or any other chemical lighteners on your cat. The chemicals can be harmful to their skin, may damage their sense of smell or other sense if they get in their face, and can be hard to rinse clean enough to keep your cat safe. 

Things to Consider

White cats don’t have any particular health concerns related to their fur color, but severe changes to their fur color and skin may be related to a health problem. Any time your cat’s skin or fur color changes, significantly if it changes suddenly, you should consult with your vet. 

Sometimes, the cause is clear, but other times your cat will need a thorough health check to make sure there aren’t problems. 

It’s also important not to take any extreme measures to keep your cat’s fur white. It’s essential not to use any soap or shampoo that isn’t specifically designed for cats. If you’re concerned that your cat needs a bath but aren’t sure what soap to use, consult with your vet for recommendations.