Why is my white cat not deaf?

Mostly white cats and albino cats are not prone to deafness, as they don't carry the dominant W gene. Cats with mostly white fur carry a different gene, which explains why they are not completely white. As a result, they aren't susceptible to deafness caused by the dominant W gene.

Are white cats usually 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.

Are white cats more prone to deafness?

Cats with long white fur and blue eyes are three times more likely to be deaf. If a white-furred cat has two blue eyes, the chances of that cat being deaf are between 60% and 80%. Shockingly, a white-furred cat with only one blue eye drops to only a 30% to 40% chance of being deaf.

What makes 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).

How do I know if my white cat is deaf?

To determine if your cat is deaf, clap your hands or rattle your keys when she is facing away from you. If there is no reaction, then there is a good chance that your cat is deaf.

White Cats Facts - What You Need To Know

Are pure white cats rare?

Cat breeds come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, including white cats. 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.

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 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.

How rare are white cats with blue eyes?

5% of the general cat population is white cats (i.e. pure white). 15-40% of these pure white cats have one or two blue-eyes. Of those white cats with one or two blue eyes, 60-80% are deaf; 20-40% have normal hearing; 30-40% had one blue eye and were deaf while 60-70% had one blue eye and normal hearing.

Are all white cats albino?

White Cats Are Not Albino

No, cats with white coats are not albino. There's a key difference: White cats simply have a gene for white fur, while albinism is a genetic condition that results in a complete lack of color pigmentation in the skin, fur, and eyes.

Do deaf cats meow?

Deaf pets also pay closer attention to vibrations and air currents. For example, the breeze made by a door opening may cue a deaf pet that someone has arrived. Some deaf cats meow more often and more loudly, because they cannot regulate their “volume,” while others become mute.

Are white cats mean?

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.

How much are albino cats worth?

Due to the fact that albino cats are incredibly rare and cannot necessarily be bred to be albino, there is no real market price for albino cats.

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.

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 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.

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.

Are odd eyed cats deaf?

There is a common misconception that all odd-eyed cats are born deaf in one ear. This is not true, as about 60–70% of odd-eyed cats can hear. About 10–20% of normal-eyed cats are born deaf or become deaf as part of the feline aging process.

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 do you call a white cat?

Polar - Like the cold weather bear, Polar is a great name for a white cat. Ghost - On par with Phantom, Ghost is a great name for a white cat who is silent but always watching. Sky - A name for a cat that is as light as the sky. Bones - A unique name for a boy cat. Weiss/Weiß - German for the color “white”.

What do you call a solid white cat?

There are many breeds that include a white cat, from the British Shorthair and Sphynx to the Turkish Van. While many pet parents want to claim their cat falls into the rare, colorless category, a true white cat is defined by the lack of melanin pigmentation – the gene that gives her coat and eyes color.

What is a white cat with blue eyes called?

With their soft and silky coats, distinctive smushed faces, and sweet personalities, Persians are one of the most popular and recognizable cat breeds. White Persians often have blue eyes. Persians are known for being undemanding, calm, and loving.

Do most white cats have blue eyes?

It is a different story when it comes to white cats with blue eyes — about 60 percent of white-dominant kitties — who got their coloring from mutations in a gene called KIT. In these cats, the blue eyes result from a cellular issue: These irises have fewer melanocytes, which are cells that make pigment.

How rare is it to have an all 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.