Scout the Kitten (Colouring question)

rubyforbes · 11-18-2012, 08:26 PM

This is Scout a 6 week old abandoned kitten I've taken on. He's absolutely gorgeous but painfully shy and skittish at times. He has taken a liking to my Labrador/border Collie who is still terrified of him and not quite sure what to do with the affection (It's actually hilarious to watch

)

Anyway I was wondering if his colouring has a name? it's quite strange and I'm not sure if the photos show it accurately

He would appear to be black (on the head especially) but then the tip of his body coat is brown then it turns black then at the very base it's grey and the underneath on his belly its grey as well?
Maybe it's just odd colouring and it doesn't have a name ahaha

lovetimesfour · 11-18-2012, 08:35 PM

I think that is called either shaded or smoked black. Not sure which, but I'm leaning more toward smoke. Congratulations on the rescue. He's precious!

Carmel · 11-18-2012, 08:47 PM

Smoke would be the correct name if his coloring was all over like that but when it's localized to certain areas it's known as a "fever coat". Fever coat is common in kittens that have been sick. The grayish coloring will go away eventually and you'll be left with a black kitten.

**doodlebug** · 11-18-2012, 08:55 PM

Looks like fever coat to me...

lovetimesfour · 11-18-2012, 09:21 PM

Fever coat? I haven't ever heard that term, how interesting. That has something to do with the temperature of the cat changing the color of the fur as it grows in?

And once the cat (or, kitten, in this case) is in good health, as he sheds the fever coat and the new fur comes in, it will be a normal black color?

PS to the OP, is that a flea collar you have on him? I strongly advise you to take it off, if it is, those flea collars are known to be toxic. When he's a little bigger your vet can give you a kitten dose of Revolution to safely treat him for fleas.

rubyforbes · 11-18-2012, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carmel

Smoke would be the correct name if his coloring was all over like that but when it's localized to certain areas it's known as a "fever coat". Fever coat is common in kittens that have been sick. The grayish coloring will go away eventually and you'll be left with a black kitten.

how interesting I would never have come up with that. It's not something to be concerned about is it?

RiddickandAgador · 11-18-2012, 11:54 PM

He is absolutely adorable!!

Evanescent · 11-19-2012, 12:16 AM

That looks like fever coat to me..

The Smoke coloration/undercoat don't grow in until they're a bit older..
Most likely, he's an all black kitten whose coat will improve as his health does.

He's got a gorgeous face, though!

Also, you should take off the collar..even if it's not a flea collar.
I can't even list how many kittens I've heard of being hung because they were too light for the release..

rubyforbes · 11-19-2012, 12:24 AM

thanks for the tip, I actually changed the collar two days ago to a safety collar though now I'm thinking that because he's a kitten his weight may not be enough to release it so I'll take it off for now

spirite · 11-19-2012, 02:37 AM

Oh my goodness, how cute! Are his eyes blue or green? They're gorgeous.

11-18-2012, 08:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
rubyforbes Kitten Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 9	Scout the Kitten (Colouring question) This is Scout a 6 week old abandoned kitten I've taken on. He's absolutely gorgeous but painfully shy and skittish at times. He has taken a liking to my Labrador/border Collie who is still terrified of him and not quite sure what to do with the affection (It's actually hilarious to watch ) Anyway I was wondering if his colouring has a name? it's quite strange and I'm not sure if the photos show it accurately He would appear to be black (on the head especially) but then the tip of his body coat is brown then it turns black then at the very base it's grey and the underneath on his belly its grey as well? Maybe it's just odd colouring and it doesn't have a name ahaha Attached Thumbnails

11-18-2012, 08:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Carmel Cat Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 2,273	Smoke would be the correct name if his coloring was all over like that but when it's localized to certain areas it's known as a "fever coat". Fever coat is common in kittens that have been sick. The grayish coloring will go away eventually and you'll be left with a black kitten. __________________ Along with the dogs Tara and Coco.

11-18-2012, 08:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
doodlebug Super Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 19,001	Looks like fever coat to me... __________________ And their companion, Jake, the dog. Onyx, Callie May & Maggie forever in my heart.

11-19-2012, 12:24 AM	#9 (permalink)
rubyforbes Kitten Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 9	thanks for the tip, I actually changed the collar two days ago to a safety collar though now I'm thinking that because he's a kitten his weight may not be enough to release it so I'll take it off for now Last edited by marie73; 11-19-2012 at 12:50 AM.

11-18-2012, 08:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
lovetimesfour Senior Cat Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 640	I think that is called either shaded or smoked black. Not sure which, but I'm leaning more toward smoke. Congratulations on the rescue. He's precious!

11-18-2012, 09:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
lovetimesfour Senior Cat Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 640	Fever coat? I haven't ever heard that term, how interesting. That has something to do with the temperature of the cat changing the color of the fur as it grows in? And once the cat (or, kitten, in this case) is in good health, as he sheds the fever coat and the new fur comes in, it will be a normal black color? PS to the OP, is that a flea collar you have on him? I strongly advise you to take it off, if it is, those flea collars are known to be toxic. When he's a little bigger your vet can give you a kitten dose of Revolution to safely treat him for fleas.

11-18-2012, 11:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
RiddickandAgador Jr. Cat Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 41	He is absolutely adorable!!

11-19-2012, 12:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
Evanescent Kitten Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 23	That looks like fever coat to me.. The Smoke coloration/undercoat don't grow in until they're a bit older.. Most likely, he's an all black kitten whose coat will improve as his health does. He's got a gorgeous face, though! Also, you should take off the collar..even if it's not a flea collar. I can't even list how many kittens I've heard of being hung because they were too light for the release..

11-19-2012, 02:37 AM	#10 (permalink)
spirite Cool Cat Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Roanoke, Va Posts: 1,198	Oh my goodness, how cute! Are his eyes blue or green? They're gorgeous.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
CatForum.com Advertisement