Fading Cat (declawed, weight, feline, vet)

[AusParent]

We adopted a stray orange tabby at the beginning of summer. We kept finding pawprints on the toilet seats at work and the cat finally materialized. It was in bad shape: emaciated, dehydrated, matted, scabby. It also appeared to have hip damage: has abnormal protrusions and can't jump onto counters.

We brought him back to health. He is well fed, vaccinated, and spayed. He has good weight, good coat, and good activity levels. But recently, he has started seriously fading: Both his orange and his stripes are going away.

We researched the internet and couldn't find anything. We're thinking of calling the vet to inquire if there may be any related disease or deficiency. We've never had a fading cat but our other cats have always been black. Has anyone else had a fading cat??

[ShelbyGirl1]

I had to read the post a few times to realize you meant losing color and not fading as in dying! I was trying to figure out what color had to do with dying...
Here is a link, that may help...

Causes of Pigment & Color Changes in the Skin & Coat of Cats
A vet visit may be in order.

[AusParent]

Who knew that cats faded - lost color - and for some many reasons?!? Thanks for the information. I agree that a call to the vet is in order. This little guy is happy, so hopefully he's OK. He's just suddenly pale. And he no longer lives up to his name because we named him based on his (original) orange color.

[chaseystarz]

It's awesome that you gave him a great place and a good life.

A trip to the vet is a good thing in this case.

I had a tortie cat that changed her coat ever shed season. In the winter she was more black and in the summer she was more orange and cream.

But I hope everything is all right. Keep is posted!

[PantherPride]

Have the vet test for FIV, feline luk. Any outside cat should first be screened for this.



Besides that jumping shouldn't be impaired unless declawed ( which you should NEVER do anyway)