Sebastian's fur is turning brown. Any advice?

[Justin & Sebastian]

Sebastian's fur has started to take on a rusty brown hue. It's not full on brown, really just the highlights so it's mostly noticeable when it catches the light, and it's only around his midsection, but it's definitely progressing.

I've read it could just be from age but it also could be a thyroid, liver, or kidney issue. Obviously liver and kidney are concerns because of the diabetes. I asked our vet tech if we had his thyroid tested recently and she said "His T4 Mar 13 was 1.9 so perfectly normal. Normal is 0.5-4.0 but anything over 2.5 is considered a "grey area" for further testing as being at risk".

So I wanted to see if anyone had any experience with this and could suggest any tests or whatever for when I take him to the vet to get checked out sometime next week.

 

[AliceMeowliss (GA)]

I've honestly never heard of this as an indicator of a health condition! No helpful advice, sorry. :\ I have a black cat that has always had a reddish hue to her fur.

Sebastian's eyes are just beautiful.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Could be due to age and grooming
https://thecatsite.com/threads/grey-fur-turning-brown.151712/
https://www.seniorcatwellness.com/cats-fur-changing-color/

 

[Justin & Sebastian]

Could be due to age and grooming
https://thecatsite.com/threads/grey-fur-turning-brown.151712/
https://www.seniorcatwellness.com/cats-fur-changing-color/

The first site was one of the ones I found, the second was new. He's strictly an indoor cat, and we keep our shades closed and his normal lounging spots aren't in direct sunlight, so I don't think it's from sun exposure. We tested for Cushings and that was negative. His belly is still exposed from when he was shaved and his skin isn't turning yellow so I don't think it's jaundice. Diet is Turkey & Duck pate so he's getting animal protein.

 

[majandra]

Could it be a copper deficiency, like in horses?

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

I wouldn't jump to conclusions, but it *could* be from a tyrosine deficiency:

• Cats require more dietary phenylalanine or tyrosine for melanin deposition in hair than for maximal growth.
• Effect of low levels of dietary tyrosine on the hair colour of cats.
• Why Is My Black Cat Turning Reddy Brown?
• Red Hair in Black Cats Is Reversed by Addition of Tyrosine to the Diet

Might be something worth discussing with your vet...

 

[Justin & Sebastian]

I looked into the food we're feeding him and I'm pretty sure it's good on tyrosine. Nutrient profile. Pretty sure the "PHE + TYR" is the tyrosine and it's one of the higher percentages.

 

[Dusty Bones]

Dusty has been turning brown too, mostly from the neck down on his main body. I rack it up to age... he's 14.

 

[Justin & Sebastian]

Yeah most of what I read said it was from age. He's only 10 though which doesn't seem that old.