Are white cats special?

Few people can deny there is something special about a white cat. The gentleness and pureness associated with the color white definitely translates to these incredible creatures. In cats, the genetics behind the white fur are fascinating.

Why are white cats special?

Yes, they are uncommon. White cats make up only 5% of the general cat population. But they have captured the imagination of so many. And, for the most part, the things they symbolize are positive — rebirth, happiness, money, prosperity, healing, spirituality and even tolerance.

How rare is a white cat?

Are All-white Cats Rare? They are! All-white cats make up only about 5 percent of the general cat population. All-white cats lack something called melanin, a pigment that occurs in both humans and animals and is responsible for giving color to hair and skin.

Do white cats have more problems?

Short answer, no. White cats are no more prone to illness than any other cat. However, an albino cat may be more prone to medicial problems such as light sensitivity and skin conditions from a lack of pigment (just like humans).

Are white cats the friendliest?

Overall, orange cats and bi-colored cats were characterized as friendly, while black cats, white cats and tri-colored cats were regarded as more antisocial. White cats were considered to be more shy, lazy and calm, while tortoiseshell cats were more likely to be depicted as both more intolerant and more trainable.

Five Phenomenal Facts About White Cats!

What is the rarest color of cat?

The albino cat is the rarest of all coat types. Two recessive alleles in the C gene cause complete albinism, and it is extremely rare for cats to get both.

What color cat is the meanest?

Gray-and-white cats exhibited the highest levels of aggression during visits to the vet. The survey also revealed that black-and-white cats were most likely to react negatively when handled, while calicos were more likely to become irritated. Black, white, gray and tabby cats were rated lowest on the aggression scale.

Are pure white cats blind?

White cats are no more prone to blindness than any other color, with the exception being albino cats. Albinism is a lack of color pigments, or melanin, rather than an actual white coat, and it is usually accompanied by red eyes.

Are white cats always deaf?

Researchers found that only 17 to 22 percent of white cats with non-blue eyes are born deaf. The percentage rises to 40 percent if the cat has one blue eye, while upwards of 65 to 85 percent of all-white cats with both eyes blue are deaf. Some of these cats are deaf in only one ear.

Is a white cat Lucky?

Unlike allegedly unlucky black cats, all-white cats symbolize good luck and good fortune in cultures across the globe. The well-known Japanese Beckoning Cat (also known as Maneki Neko) is most often depicted as a white cat.

Are white cats more sensitive?

Yes. The lack of melanin raises a number of issues: Their skin and eyes are more sensitive to the sun. They have a higher rate of skin cancer and their eyes can suffer sun damage from direct sunlight.

Is pure white cats rare?

Pure white cats are fairly rare in the general cat population, as they require a gene that hides every other possible coat color and pattern in a cat's genetic makeup. These cats can have short or long coats and be a single breed or a mix. They also tend to have light-colored eyes.

What color cat has the best personality?

A study described by the University of California, Berkeley discovered that: "Overall, orange cats and bi-colored cats were characterized as friendly, while black cats, white cats, and tri-colored cats were regarded as more antisocial.

Why are white cats deaf?

The deafness is caused by degeneration of the auditory apparatus of the inner ear and may affect one ear (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral). Breeding studies have defined the relationship between deafness in white cats and blue eye colour. The gene responsible is an autosomal dominant gene termed W (for White).

Are black and white cats more intelligent?

Tuxedo cat owners have also been known to describe their cats as more intelligent than cats with any other coat pattern. Some say tuxies are up to 200% smarter than other cats! Tuxies bring you luck.

What color eyes do white cats have?

Cats who are solid white or mostly white may have blue, green, gold or copper eyes. The most common eye colors range from greenish-yellow to gold.

Are white and grey cats rare?

Bicolor cats that are black and white are sometimes called "magpies". The cream and white bicolor cat is the rarest of the bicolors, while the black and white or "blue" (grey) and white are the most common.

Are all white cats albino?

Albino cats are not simply kitties that happen to be white. They're very rare, with only two percent of all cats being albino. They also require different care than white cats. Albinos have a genetic alteration that makes them different from all other cats, including white cats.

Should white cats be kept indoors?

The ideal thing is to keep cats indoors during the hours when solar radiation is most intense, from 11 am to 5 pm, or shelter them from the direct sunlight, keeping them in shady places. Another very useful precaution is to apply a specific sunscreen for animals, with a high protection factor.

Do all white cats have pink skin?

In a real sense, the skin color isn't pink. Since they lack melanin, there is a reflection of light in the eyes, making the color light blue or reddish pink. On the other hand, white cats have pink skin and different colors for the eyes.

What disease do white cats often suffer from?

Congenital sensorineural deafness occurs commonly in domestic cats with a white coat. It is a congenital deafness caused by a degeneration of the inner ear. Deafness is far more common in white cats than in those with other coat colours.

What is the friendliest type of cat?

What color cat is good luck?

A lot of people don't realize that black cats have also considered good luck through the ages. Examples of vintage postcards from the early 1900's make it readily apparent that black cats were well-loved and considered good luck in America.