what is the significance of very dark spots that develop around a
blonde cat's lips, nostrils and eye lids?

my cat, The Vindicator, is about three years old and just developed
these this year.


* * *

Sounds like dirt.

Have you thought of washing The Vindicator?

I suggest that you put him in the washer on Delicate, Extra Rinse, No Spin, 40°.

Do not Tumble Dry or Iron.

Simply hang him on the line for a couple of hours to dry.

Good Luck!

Bryan

Three years of age is about the time when the true character of a cat
begins to show.  I expect that this is the case with The Vindicator. 
The black spots are indelible evidence that the name was appropriately
chosen  - unfortunately.  Nature wanted him to be all black from the
start.  Now it is beginning to show.
There is nothing you can do about it, in fact, in consideration of his
character, I expect that Bryan's recommendation will bring out these
signs of his character even more  - and maybe his claws, too, when you
are taking him off the line.

Hi there timespacette (and Bryan and myoarin)

Sounds as though your feline has freckles! 

Tosca, my hysterical tortoiseshell soprano diva cat has them. I was
just as worried as the correspondent in this website
<http://www.scispot.org/archives/biology/lentigo_simplex.html> and
went hurtling off to the vet with her, certain she was going to use up
all nine lives at once fighting melanoma and was mightily relieved to
learn she was turning into Anne of Green Gables instead.

Of course, keep an eye on them and, just as with we humans, if they
change shape, colour, size etc, hotfoot it to your particular healer
and find out for sure.

Cheers

stressedmum

Hmm, do all the folks in Melbourne says "with we humans"?  Didn't
notice that when I was there.  Must be a Welsh influence, seeking the
"stabreim"  -  "with we".  ;)

Are blond cats  - like blond humans -  more succeptible to freckles?

Assuming the spots are on the tissue, they are normal. Just sorta like
age spots. Next visit to the vet have them looked at to confirm this.
Cats can get skin cancer like we/us humans but not usually on the
lips, nose, or eye margins.

If the spots are on the fur, they are protein marks. Saliva, tears,
and mucous leave these marks behind when they dry. Normal as well, but
if excessve you may want to find out why the cat is drooling, crying,
or snotting.

I leave a comprehensive answer to a Researcher.

he might have round worms, i sugest you vist a docter!