Fever coat in kittens sounds like a frightening diagnosis. Despite the scary name, it is a purely cosmetic condition. In this article, I, Ivana Crnec, DVM, will explain everything you need to know about the fever coat in kittens.
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Content:
- What Is a Fever Coat on a Kitten
- What Causes Fever Coat in Kittens
- Does Fever Coat Go Away
- Conclusion
What Is a Fever Coat on a Kitten
A fever coat on a kitten, also known as a stress coat, is when a kitten is born with a lighter coat than is genetically expected. It is most striking in black kittens, but it is also seen in red, brown, or cream-coated kittens.
Kittens born with fever coats have a frosted appearance. The coat color is lightest at the tips of the fur and gradually fades into darker, more natural shades as it moves toward the root.
Studies say that “Intricate color patterns are a defining aspect of morphological diversity.”
The fever coat is just that - a cosmetic phenomenon that does not harm overall health.
However, other conditions could be dangerous. Install the Petcube Pet Camera and monitor your kitten at all times to catch potential issues early on.
What Causes Fever Coat in Kittens
Fever coat in kittens is caused by disrupted pigment production during uterine development.
“Fever coat happens when the momma cat experiences illness/fever during the development of the kittens,” explains a Reddit user. Another possible culprit is certain medications.
- Fever: Fever in cats can be associated with all types of infections, but the most common types are viral diseases.
- Stress: Prolonged stress in cats is caused by living in shelters/streets, relocations, being abandoned, and changes in social dynamics (new pets or babies in the house).
- Medications: The use of certain medications during pregnancy can result in a fever coat, but there is no confirmation which meds have such a capacity.
Does Fever Coat Go Away
Yes, fever coat goes away. Most kittens “will gradually transition to their natural color by the time they are adults,” reassures Nat Scroggie, DVM, in an article for cats.org.
Another great news is that the color dilution seen with a fever coat does not affect overall health. Kittens born with fever coats are as healthy as their solid-colored counterparts.
However, there is one dilemma. A novel 2024 study “found that personality is affected by coat color” in cats. This provokes the question of whether fever coats in kittens affect their future behavior and personality. Additional research is required to answer this question.
If you have a new kitten, stay protected and invest in the Petcube Emergency Fund. It covers up to $3,000 in emergency vet bills and ensures unlimited access to online vets. Plus, it is available at a 27% discount with this link.
Conclusion
A fever coat in kittens is a fascinating yet poorly understood phenomenon. It is an exclusively cosmetic condition and typically resolves once the kitty becomes an adult cat.
If you are unsure whether your kitten’s unusual coat pattern is a fever coat or something else, visit the vet, if nothing else, to get peace of mind.
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