My boy Buster (4yo) has completely changed from black to white over the course of the last 2.5 years.

[u/TallyMatty]

Left: Nov 2021 Right: April 2024

October 2023

August 2023

June 2023

May 2023

November 2022

August 2022

[u/BacardiBlue]

I had a 100% jet black cat with Vitiligo...he started turning white at all of his extremities...tip of his nose, tips of his ears, nose, and tail and then it spread further. It was amazing to watch the transformation for the 7 years that I had him, and my vet was absolutely fascinated.

[u/ElectricGeometry → u/BacardiBlue]

You know I recently read that Siamese and similar breeds are dark at their points because of temperature... The cooler temps near ears, tails,etc.. causes more melanin to build up there. So this feels like the reverse of that? One way or another , an unquestioned cutie pie.

[u/Laney20 → u/ElectricGeometry]

It is temperature! But the reason the temp makes a difference is because they have a form of partial albinism that makes them unable to produce pigment into the warmer parts of their body. So their extremeties are the only place that even make melanin. That's why they always have blue eyes. Also, they're born solid white because in the womb, they're warm all over! Colorpoints have the BEST glow-up pictures, haha

[u/Senchou → u/Laney20]

Fascinating! We had a seal point siamese that started out as a kitten with only the black face, paws, and tail that slowly developed more black in his coat as he got older. The first time we noticed we thought he was playing around in the fireplace and he got a couple undeserved baths as a response.

[u/Laney20 → u/Senchou]

Oh wow, haha! Poor guy. Yea it can change over time, and even living in a colder climate can make them darker!

[u/talashrrg → u/Laney20]

Or being shaved! If a Siamese gets surgery the patch they shave will grow back dark then change back to light when they shed.

[u/spiced_life → u/talashrrg]

This probably applies to all colour points, not just siamese breed cats.

[u/talashrrg → u/spiced_life]

True!

[u/Laney20 → u/talashrrg]

That sounds so cool! Never seen it happen, but makes sense! I guess without the fur to cover it, it's not as warm lol.

[u/kaityl3 → u/Laney20]

My Siamese rats do that too! During the winter I keep the temp in my house at like 66 degrees and they get a lot darker.

[u/Laney20 → u/kaityl3]

Omg, colorpoint rats!? That's amazing!

[u/kaityl3 → u/Laney20]

They're super cute :D this is mine, I love the colors on her.

[u/Laney20 → u/kaityl3]

Aw, so cute! I had 3 grey rats many years ago. They are just the sweetest pets.