Are blue-eyed white cats really deaf?
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Asked By: Xochitl Cope
Date created: Tue, Sep 6, 2022 2:07 AM
Date updated: Fri, May 10, 2024 1:38 AM
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Video answer: How blue eyes and deafness related in cats?
Best answer to the question «Are blue-eyed white cats really deaf?»
It is common knowledge for pet enthusiasts that white cats with blue eyes are deaf, and, usually, it is indeed the case. If you're wondering what exactly is the reason behind this, you're not alone. Firstly, the easy answer to this question is no; not all white cats are deaf . Many are, but not all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Those who are looking for an answer to the question «Are blue-eyed white cats really deaf?» often ask the following questions:
😻 Are white cats more likely to be deaf?
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.
- Are black and white cats smarter than other cats?
- Are white cats more likely to be deaf?
- Is it true all white cats are deaf?
😻 Why are white cats with blue eyes sometimes deaf?
- Blue
- Yellow
- Red
- Black
- Green
- Chestnut
- Heterochromia (eyes of two different colors)
- Are white cats more likely to be blind or deaf?
- What breed of cat is white with blue eyes?
- Are white cats susceptible to health problems?
😻 Are all white cats with different colored eyes deaf?
Thus deafness is strongly linked to the white coat colour and blue eye colour, but not all white cats or white cats with blue eyes are necessarily deaf. The variable penetrance of deafness and eye colour may be caused by interplay with other genes and/or environmental factors.
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Are white cats deaf?Deafness is far more common in white cats than in those with other coat colours. According to the ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats, "17 to 20 percent of white cats with nonblue eyes are deaf; 40 percent of "odd-eyed" white cats with one blue eye are deaf; and 65 to 85 percent of blue-eyed white cats are deaf."
Are blue eyed cats deaf?
Domesticated cats with blue eyes and white coats are often completely deaf. Deafness can occur in white cats with yellow, green or blue irises, although it is mostly likely in white cats with blue irises.
What causes a blue eyed white cat to be deaf?
A certain gene in cats causes white fur, blue eyes, and deafness; however, not all blue-eyed white cats are deaf. Deafness in this instance is due to degenerative changes that occur in the first week of life. Diagnosis of congenital deafness requires careful observation of the cat’s response to sound.
Is it possible for a white blue eyed Persian to be blind?
Your white, blue-eyed Persian is more likely to be deaf than blind. While Persian cats with blue eyes are not born blind, they may experience vision problems. The cats are more likely to be born deaf!
Video answer: Are all white cats deaf?
How common is it for a white cat to be deaf?
Deafness is far more common in white cats than in those with other coat colours. According to the ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats, "17 to 20 percent of white cats with nonblue eyes are deaf; 40 percent of "odd-eyed" white cats with one blue eye are deaf; and 65 to 85 percent of blue-eyed white cats are deaf."
Is there such a thing as a blue eyed white cat?
This blue-eyed white cat has no melanin in her fur or her eyes. Blue-eyed white Persian cat. Photography by DONOT6_STUDIO / Shutterstock. As a cat-adoption counselor for a shelter, I often get potential adopters who see a kitty’s blue eyes and ask — especially if the cat is white, too — if she is deaf.
Are blue eyed cats more likely to be deaf?
Roughly 40% of white cats with one blue eye are born deaf and nearly 85% are deaf if they have two blue eyes. In cats with a single blue eye, the link between blue eyes and deafness is especially apparent since they’re usually deaf on the same side of the head.
Are blue-eyed Persians more prone to deafness?
White cats with one blue eye have a 40 percent chance of deafness. These hearing problems are not breed-specific, so white, blue-eyed Persians are as likely as other cat species to be deaf.
How common is deafness in odd-eyed cats?
Deafness in odd-eyed cats. 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. White cats with one or two blue eyes do, however,...
Is it true that odd eyed cats are deaf?
It is also said that odd eyed cats have difficulty hearing and to some extent it is true. There is a link between the coat of the cat, blue eyes and deafness. White cats with blue colored eyes are deaf and more than 50percent odd-eyed cats suffer from this problem.
Video answer: Do you know white cats with blue eyes are usually deaf.
Is it true all white cats are deaf?
For deafness in white cats is not carried by a specific gene; the reasons for it are genetic, but are very different from simply being caused by one gene. Additionally, not all white cats are deaf, and although deafness is more common in white cats with blue eyes, not even all blue-eyed white cats are deaf.
Are odd-eyed cats deaf?
As the white masking gene is responsible for the heterochromia in the majority of cats, most odd-eyed cats are not deaf in one or both ears. However, it is possible for epistatic white cats with one blue eye to also be deaf on that side too as this particular gene can cause degeneration of the inner ear.
Can a blue-eyed white cat be deaf?
For example, blue-eyed white cats can be born with a condition that results in deafness. At other times, illness or injury may lead to hearing loss. With a few accommodations, deaf cats shouldn't have any trouble in most households. It's important to understand cat hearing when living with a deaf cat.
Are blue eyed white cats prone to deafness?
Deafness in blue-eyed white cats: The uphill road to solving polygenic disorders. The pure white cat with luminous blue eyes is an attrac- tive image familiar to many. These animals are well-known to be commonly affected by a congenital hereditary deaf- ness that may affect one or both ears; the deafness is linked to the so-called W gene.
Can a blue eyed white cat be deaf?
Just like humans, cats often experience at least a small amount of deafness as they get older. There have been no extensive scientific studies into the prevalence of deafness in cats but there is an increased likelihood of deafness if your cat carries a certain "W" (for white) gene. ↑ Deafness in blue-eyed white cats.
Can a white cat with one blue eye be deaf?
However, it is possible for epistatic white cats with one blue eye to also be deaf on that side too as this particular gene can cause degeneration of the inner ear. How much does an odd-eyed cat cost?
Are blue-eyed cats prone to deafness?
Only blue-eyed cats with a dominant white gene are likely to be partially or totally deaf. This is because they have very few melanocytes which prevent them from expressing their true eye and coat color. For other blue-eyed breeds, hearing loss will only be partial or total in one ear.
Can a non-white cat have blue eyes?
As has already been noted, the gene responsible in this case is known as W, non-white is w. The eyes of a white cat may be blue, non-blue (usually copper or gold) or odd (one of each). Blue-eyed cats are more often deaf than white cats with other coloured eyes.
Can deaf cats have odd-eyed eyes?
In white cats with mixed-coloured eyes ( odd-eyed cats ), it has been found that deafness is more likely to affect the ear on the blue-eyed side. Some cat breeds are more likely than others to have odd eyes such as the Turkish angora, Turkish van, and Japanese bobtail, although any cat with the white or white spotting gene can develop them.
What causes a kitten to be born deaf?
Deafness present at birth can be inherited or result from toxic or viral damage to the developing unborn kitten. A certain gene in cats causes white fur, blue eyes, and deafness; however, not all blue-eyed white cats are deaf. Deafness in this instance is due to degenerative changes that occur in the first week of life.
How common are white Maine Coon cats?
Although there is no specific information available on how common White Maine Coon cats are, cat specialists do state that 15-40% of pure white cats (of any cat breed) have either one or two blue eyes. A staggering 60-80% of these one or two blue-eyed white cats are thought to be deaf, compared to 20-40% which have normal hearing.
Are blue-eyed cats dumb?
There is a common belief that all blue-eyed cats are deaf and dumb. In some ancient superstition, white-coated cats were believed to be a sign of bad or good luck. Why does a cat have blue eyes? The answer is hidden in the genetic makeup of the cat. Neural cells known as melanocytes are responsible for the formation of eye color.
Can a white British Shorthair cat have sapphire blue eyes?
A white British Shorthair cat can have sapphire blue eyes (known as a blue-eyed white BSH). Orange-eyed white BSH cats should have copper, amber or deep gold eyes. Odd eyes are also accepted by the breed standard. Odd-eyed BSH cats must have one sapphire blue eye and one amber or golden eye; other eye-colour combinations are not accepted.
Will all blue eyed cats go deaf?
To give you a short answer, according to research, if your cat has blue eyes, there’s only a 5% chance they are deaf or will experience deafness in their lifetime. It turns out eye color has little to do with the onset of deafness or blindness in cats.
Are there any blue eyed Persian kittens that have been adopted?
Blue is a female green eyed Shaded Silver persian kitten. Blue has been adopted. Doll Face Persian Kittens. Dora is a female blue eyed Flame Point persian kitten. Dora has been adopted. Doll Face Persian Kittens. Maxwell is a male blue eyed white persian kitten with cream on his nose,ears, and tail.
Video answer: Are white kittens deaf?
