Why is my black cat turning white??

[rosebud5678]

Ok, this is our 6 year old male cat. These pictures show him in Oct and today - is he prematurely aging? If anyone has seen this before, I'd love to know! It is becoming more noticeable by the week...

[abbsisspartacus]

Thyroid?

[abbsisspartacus]

Villitigo?

[WeAllHaveWings]

A diet deficient in the amino acid tyrosine can cause black cats’ hair color to change from black to reddish. Tyrosine is needed to make melanin, the dark pigment in cat fur, and if a cat doesn’t get enough tyrosine in his diet, his ebony fur may fade. Other nutritional issues such as copper deficiency and zinc excess can cause black fur to lighten, too. Be sure to consult your veterinarian before giving your cat any supplements, though, because a change in fur color could also indicate kidney, liver, or thyroid disease.

^ from google, would suggest a trip to the vets if it is changing so quickly.

[Want2beme]

I was thinking vitiligo. Seems like a very rapid change.

[rosebud5678]

Thanks everyone - think I'd better make a vet's appointment!

[LolitaLempicka]

This is interesting, I always thought it was only old cats that went 'grey'.

[Stressedmumoffour]

I know this was a year ago now but did you find out why he was turning white. My black cat turned nearly completely white in a matter of 6 months. Our vet said there’s nothing wrong with him