As humans get older, sometimes we have markers that give our age away; one of those markers may be gray or white hair. Animals get some of those markers when they get older as well. We know that dogs show that white fur a little bit more than cats. The question is, do cats or exotic cats like lions and tigers get grey or white fur?
Why do cats get grey/white fur?
From my research, there are may reasons why dogs or cats get grey/white fur. One of the reasons is old age. As the animal gets older, it shows mainly on their muzzle. Although it is much more noticeable in dogs. These studies lean more towards dogs because they are easier to handle. Dogs get grey not only with age, but stress as well. We can assume the same of cats, just less intensive than dogs. Cats, in fact, are a lot like humans when they get older. They tend to get a lot of issues that come with old age on top of the color of the fur.
What to do when you see grey/white fur?
If you start to see gray or white on your animal, don’t be shocked. It just means that they are getting older and may need some extra nutrients to stay around a little longer. Also, keep an eye on their behavior. You might be able to tell what your animal needs based off their behavior. Try to reduce your animal’s stress and give them proper nutrition when the aging process starts.
Sources
The Special Needs of the Senior Cat | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Why Don’t Cats Turn Gray with Age, But Dogs Do? – Advocating Animal Welfare (pictures-of-cats.org)
Stress can make pets go grey – Advocating Animal Welfare (pictures-of-cats.org)