Adult Cat Coat Turning Dark

[mianiro]

I have a 15 (soon to be 16) year old cat that lives with my parents while i am away at law school.

I came back this weekend, and haven't seen my cat in about 3 weeks. When I saw her, I was startled. Her coat, especially her face, has turned very, very dark. Almost black. Nomally she is gray and striped. She also looks like she has gained weight.

The last time she was at the vet was over the summer, she weighed (if i remember right) 7 lbs. I weighed her on a scale at home today and she is 10 lbs.

Do you think this is just her winter coat coming in? I have just never seen her this dark before. I brushed her pretty well and she shed a lot of fur. Any one ever experience this?

Thanks so much

[Traci]

Can you post pics to compare "before and after" ?