Change in fur colour

**FreyjaRoMaine** · 12th April 2011, 07:56 PM

When Wicca arrived, she was clearly a black smoke - she was jet black, except for the silver/grey/White around ruff, belly and under chin. You could part the fur anywhere and see it was grey at the root, too. But over the last couple of weeks, I've noticed a red/brown tinge to her coat across her shoulder blades and the top of her back. When I first spotted it, I kind of thought it was caused by poor lighting, but now it's very noticable. Just wondering if it's common, whether it's seasonal now the warmer weather's here, or if I should be concerned? She's her usual crazy self in every way and no change in her appetite. Any thoughts?

**WoodsideMaineCoons** · 12th April 2011, 08:13 PM

Does she get much sunlight on her as that is what normally causes a red tinge in black cats. Storms and cleos are similar at the moment

xx

**jckkerrison** · 12th April 2011, 09:06 PM

Wellys lovely black coat took on a reddish brown tinge all over last year,one of the judges at a show commented on how he must love laying in the sun {which he does} it has remained that colour all winter & does not look as if it has any intention of turning black again at the moment,jolly annoying especially when all the cats come into work with lovely black coats,don't any of them go out in the sun....?

**harrymc** · 12th April 2011, 10:19 PM

Poppy my dsh is jet black in winter and has that brown twinge to her in the summer, but would agree with Louise and Jackie, because she spends all her time laying in the sun. ps. Wicca is looking absoloutely beautiful !!!

**Karena** · 13th April 2011, 09:42 PM

Don't know if this relevant but my dogs are a breed that are always black and white and have totally black heads and ears but in the sun their ears get a red tinge to them - almost looks like they have had some red high lights added

**FreyjaRoMaine** · 13th April 2011, 11:50 PM

Thanks guys, hadn't even thought about sun! I wouldn't say she's out in it LOADS but her favourite Tigga tower is in the window so she's probably getting more sun than I imagine just being in doors! And we've had them both in the garden every possible moment for the last week or so. As long as there's no health implications, the tinge doesn't worry me. She's a beautiful, mad little love bug - black smoke, or rusty black smoke!

**Howlinbob** · 14th April 2011, 10:20 AM

Hi Karen, yes I've noticed the same with our 2 now that they're out in the garden so much during the day. Larry the solid black is definitely browner, and even Monty the black smoke has a sort of russet tinge in a certain light. I guess it's the black fur going brown in all the sunlight - quite attractive really!

**Wendy1969** · 14th April 2011, 09:16 PM

From a site about Persians but the same applies for Maine Coon coats:

"The sunlight is another factor that influences the blackness of the Persian cat’s coat. A combination of sunlight with saliva actually works to oxidize the pigmentation. As a result a brown tinge develops in the black coat which is considered to be undesirable."

So tell her to stop washing!

**FreyjaRoMaine** · 14th April 2011, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by Wendy1969

From a site about Persians but the same applies for Maine Coon coats:

"The sunlight is another factor that influences the blackness of the Persian cat’s coat. A combination of sunlight with saliva actually works to oxidize the pigmentation. As a result a brown tinge develops in the black coat which is considered to be undesirable."

So tell her to stop washing!

That's a great suggestion... if only the wilful little demon would ever do ANYTHING she was told!! Except fetch, and cuddle!!

**FreyjaRoMaine** · 15th April 2011, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by candes

Maybe you should post some pics so we can see for ourselves. Cough cough.... Hint hint...

Oh gosh, you meant Wicca...

Silly me.... Still want to see some pics of both of them!

What color are spider monkeys supposed to be anyways?

You are the epitome of subtlety, Candes... and have given the perfect excuse to post some updated photo's of my rusty-smokey little lovebug and her beautiful tortie niece!!