All cats have their own charm and allure, but there’s no denying that white cats are particularly striking. If one or both of their eyes are blue, this only serves to make them even more attractive. But, as well as being quite rare in the general cat population, white cats have a reputation for being prone to deafness and blindness, as well as being susceptible to sunburn and some cancers. Many owners steer clear of this uniquely patterned feline, but is there any truth to the fact that white cats are more likely to be blind and deaf and, if so, what is the cause?
The White Cat Gene Image Credit: Piqsels The cat’s ear relies on the cochlea, which converts sound waves into a signal that is transmitted to the brain. The cochlea uses melanin to process this conversion, and melanin is the same gene that gives a cat’s coat color. White cats have a dominant W gene, which is essentially the gene that leads to a white coat and blue eyes. This dominant color masks all other markings and colorings. The W gene also hinders the proper production of melanin so typically leads to deafness in one or both ears. Are White Cats With Blue Eyes Deaf? In fact, according to studies:
17%–22% of white cats with non-blue eyes are deaf.
If they have one blue eye, this rises to 40% being deaf
65%–85% of the population of white cats with two blue eyes are deaf.
Therefore, there is more than a ring of truth to the rumor that white cats are more likely to be deaf than cats of other colors. This figure includes cats that are deaf in one ear, as well as those that are deaf in both ears. Oddly, if a cat has one blue eye and is deaf in one ear, it is usually the ear on the same side as the blue eye. How To Determine If Your Cat Is Deaf It can be quite easy to determine if a cat has gone deaf. They won’t be as responsive as they once were and will not respond to the auditory queues they once did. If your cat is born deaf, it is more difficult to determine whether you have a deaf feline or an unresponsive cat. Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response testing is a non-invasive test that can be done on your cat at specialist hearing centers. Some breed registries require that breeders have their cats tested in this way. If the test isn’t done, or it shows that a cat is deaf, it cannot be used for breeding. Alternatively, you can arrange to have this test done on your own cat. Consult your vet. They will perform some simple tests to determine hearing ability and will refer you for a BAER test if they believe it is necessary.
Living With A Deaf Cat Deafness in white cats is genetic, or congenital, which means that they are born with it. If your blue-eyed, white-coated cat is not deaf when it is born, then it is unlikely to develop deafness as it ages. If your cat does suffer congenital deafness, there is, unfortunately, no treatment or cure because it is genetic. We typically communicate with cats using sound. We call their name, tell them off when they are doing something wrong, and we imitate cat noises to attract their attention. Hungry cats will respond to the noise of a rustling food bag or a tin being opened. A deaf cat cannot respond to auditor queues, so owners need to adapt their own behaviour for the benefit of a deaf cat. Deaf cats rely on visual queues. This means using your hands to attract their attention.
If your cat is scratching the furniture, wave your arms at them as you approach.
If you want to call them over, place your hand at ground level and look at them. You may need to reinforce the call with a treat, initially, but they should soon get the hang of what you want.
A squirt gun or spray bottle filled with water can be used to stop a cat’s bad behaviour. Use the stream setting, rather than the mist setting, and spray your cat when it is doing something wrong. Because it isn’t you that is directly performing the action, at least in the cat’s eyes, this means that they are more likely to associate getting wet with scratching the furniture, so is considered an effective method of preventing a cat’s unwanted behaviour in all cases.
Try to stick to a feeding routine. Cats thrive on routine, anyway, and rather than having to try and call your deaf cat, they will be ready for dinner time as soon as the food is put out.
A laser point can be a highly effective tool to get your cat’s attention, but should never be shone directly into your cat’s eyes. Shine it on the floor in front of them and then use it to turn the cat around and see you.
Avoid letting a deaf cat out of the house. They won’t be able to hear traffic approaching. They won’t hear the warning bark or the approach of an aggressive dog. You can provide a run or sealed outdoor area that lets your cat get fresh air without putting them in any danger.
Other Conditions 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. White fur offers less protection against the sun, which means that a white cat is more prone to sunburn, even through windows. Apply sunscreen, especially to the ears and nose, if your cat is a sun lover, although you may find that they shy away from hotspots. Because of their susceptibility to sunburn, white cats are also more prone to certain types of cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma. This is likely to occur on and around the ears, where there is even less protection against the sun, and may result in a cat having to have its ears removed. Image Credit By: Pixabay
Deafness And Blindness In White Cats White cats are beautiful and unique. However, they are more prone to deafness, especially if they have blue eyes to accompany their white coat. This congenital deafness cannot be treated, but with some adaptation and effort on the part of the owner, white cats can lead perfectly healthy and happy lives. There are tests to determine feline deafness, and you will also need to watch for sunburn on a white cat’s ears and nose, however. See also: 10 Best Toys for Blind Cats — Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock
All cats have their own charm and allure, but there’s no denying that white cats are particularly striking. If one or both of their eyes are blue, this only serves to make them even more attractive. But, as well as being quite rare in the general cat population, white cats have a reputation for being prone to deafness and blindness, as well as being susceptible to sunburn and some cancers.
Many owners steer clear of this uniquely patterned feline, but is there any truth to the fact that white cats are more likely to be blind and deaf and, if so, what is the cause?
The White Cat Gene
The cat’s ear relies on the cochlea, which converts sound waves into a signal that is transmitted to the brain. The cochlea uses melanin to process this conversion, and melanin is the same gene that gives a cat’s coat color. White cats have a dominant W gene, which is essentially the gene that leads to a white coat and blue eyes. This dominant color masks all other markings and colorings. The W gene also hinders the proper production of melanin so typically leads to deafness in one or both ears.
Are White Cats With Blue Eyes Deaf?
In fact, according to studies:
17%–22% of white cats with non-blue eyes are deaf.
If they have one blue eye, this rises to 40% being deaf
65%–85% of the population of white cats with two blue eyes are deaf.
Therefore, there is more than a ring of truth to the rumor that white cats are more likely to be deaf than cats of other colors.
17%–22% of white cats with non-blue eyes are deaf.
If they have one blue eye, this rises to 40% being deaf
65%–85% of the population of white cats with two blue eyes are deaf.
- 17%–22% of white cats with non-blue eyes are deaf.
- If they have one blue eye, this rises to 40% being deaf
- 65%–85% of the population of white cats with two blue eyes are deaf.
This figure includes cats that are deaf in one ear, as well as those that are deaf in both ears. Oddly, if a cat has one blue eye and is deaf in one ear, it is usually the ear on the same side as the blue eye.
How To Determine If Your Cat Is Deaf
It can be quite easy to determine if a cat has gone deaf. They won’t be as responsive as they once were and will not respond to the auditory queues they once did. If your cat is born deaf, it is more difficult to determine whether you have a deaf feline or an unresponsive cat.
Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response testing is a non-invasive test that can be done on your cat at specialist hearing centers. Some breed registries require that breeders have their cats tested in this way. If the test isn’t done, or it shows that a cat is deaf, it cannot be used for breeding. Alternatively, you can arrange to have this test done on your own cat. Consult your vet. They will perform some simple tests to determine hearing ability and will refer you for a BAER test if they believe it is necessary.
Living With A Deaf Cat
Deafness in white cats is genetic, or congenital, which means that they are born with it. If your blue-eyed, white-coated cat is not deaf when it is born, then it is unlikely to develop deafness as it ages. If your cat does suffer congenital deafness, there is, unfortunately, no treatment or cure because it is genetic.
We typically communicate with cats using sound. We call their name, tell them off when they are doing something wrong, and we imitate cat noises to attract their attention. Hungry cats will respond to the noise of a rustling food bag or a tin being opened. A deaf cat cannot respond to auditor queues, so owners need to adapt their own behaviour for the benefit of a deaf cat.
Deaf cats rely on visual queues. This means using your hands to attract their attention.
If your cat is scratching the furniture, wave your arms at them as you approach.
If you want to call them over, place your hand at ground level and look at them. You may need to reinforce the call with a treat, initially, but they should soon get the hang of what you want.
A squirt gun or spray bottle filled with water can be used to stop a cat’s bad behaviour. Use the stream setting, rather than the mist setting, and spray your cat when it is doing something wrong. Because it isn’t you that is directly performing the action, at least in the cat’s eyes, this means that they are more likely to associate getting wet with scratching the furniture, so is considered an effective method of preventing a cat’s unwanted behaviour in all cases.
Try to stick to a feeding routine. Cats thrive on routine, anyway, and rather than having to try and call your deaf cat, they will be ready for dinner time as soon as the food is put out.
A laser point can be a highly effective tool to get your cat’s attention, but should never be shone directly into your cat’s eyes. Shine it on the floor in front of them and then use it to turn the cat around and see you.
Avoid letting a deaf cat out of the house. They won’t be able to hear traffic approaching. They won’t hear the warning bark or the approach of an aggressive dog. You can provide a run or sealed outdoor area that lets your cat get fresh air without putting them in any danger.
Other Conditions
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.
If your cat is scratching the furniture, wave your arms at them as you approach.
If you want to call them over, place your hand at ground level and look at them. You may need to reinforce the call with a treat, initially, but they should soon get the hang of what you want.
A squirt gun or spray bottle filled with water can be used to stop a cat’s bad behaviour. Use the stream setting, rather than the mist setting, and spray your cat when it is doing something wrong. Because it isn’t you that is directly performing the action, at least in the cat’s eyes, this means that they are more likely to associate getting wet with scratching the furniture, so is considered an effective method of preventing a cat’s unwanted behaviour in all cases.
Try to stick to a feeding routine. Cats thrive on routine, anyway, and rather than having to try and call your deaf cat, they will be ready for dinner time as soon as the food is put out.
A laser point can be a highly effective tool to get your cat’s attention, but should never be shone directly into your cat’s eyes. Shine it on the floor in front of them and then use it to turn the cat around and see you.
Avoid letting a deaf cat out of the house. They won’t be able to hear traffic approaching. They won’t hear the warning bark or the approach of an aggressive dog. You can provide a run or sealed outdoor area that lets your cat get fresh air without putting them in any danger.
- If your cat is scratching the furniture, wave your arms at them as you approach.
- If you want to call them over, place your hand at ground level and look at them. You may need to reinforce the call with a treat, initially, but they should soon get the hang of what you want.
- A squirt gun or spray bottle filled with water can be used to stop a cat’s bad behaviour. Use the stream setting, rather than the mist setting, and spray your cat when it is doing something wrong. Because it isn’t you that is directly performing the action, at least in the cat’s eyes, this means that they are more likely to associate getting wet with scratching the furniture, so is considered an effective method of preventing a cat’s unwanted behaviour in all cases.
- Try to stick to a feeding routine. Cats thrive on routine, anyway, and rather than having to try and call your deaf cat, they will be ready for dinner time as soon as the food is put out.
- A laser point can be a highly effective tool to get your cat’s attention, but should never be shone directly into your cat’s eyes. Shine it on the floor in front of them and then use it to turn the cat around and see you.
- Avoid letting a deaf cat out of the house. They won’t be able to hear traffic approaching. They won’t hear the warning bark or the approach of an aggressive dog. You can provide a run or sealed outdoor area that lets your cat get fresh air without putting them in any danger.
White fur offers less protection against the sun, which means that a white cat is more prone to sunburn, even through windows. Apply sunscreen, especially to the ears and nose, if your cat is a sun lover, although you may find that they shy away from hotspots.
Because of their susceptibility to sunburn, white cats are also more prone to certain types of cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma. This is likely to occur on and around the ears, where there is even less protection against the sun, and may result in a cat having to have its ears removed.
Deafness And Blindness In White Cats
White cats are beautiful and unique. However, they are more prone to deafness, especially if they have blue eyes to accompany their white coat. This congenital deafness cannot be treated, but with some adaptation and effort on the part of the owner, white cats can lead perfectly healthy and happy lives. There are tests to determine feline deafness, and you will also need to watch for sunburn on a white cat’s ears and nose, however.
See also: 10 Best Toys for Blind Cats — Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock
