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.
A major gene that causes a cat to have a white coat is a dominant masking gene, an allele of KIT which suppresses pigmentation and hearing. The cat would have an underlying coat colour and pattern, but when the dominant white gene is present, that pattern will not be expressed, and the cat will be 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 are some of the rarest, making up only about 5% of the total cat population! With their striking snow-white coats, they look dazzling and very unusual and, of course, they are even more special to their families who love them.
Usually, solid white cats have the dominant white gene (W), and although there are other genes present for fur and eye color, the dominant gene wins out, and there is no pigmentation. It's very fascinating because the gene is actually masking the real color of the cat!
Albino. We'll finish out our list of rare cat colors with the rarest of them all: albino. This is when there's no coloring at all, and it impacts not just a cat's fur, but also its eyes and skin.
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.
Black/White Cats or Gray/White Cats
These cats can be quite resourceful and clever. They are very active and are great mousers. However, they are usually less affectionate than other colored cats.
Orange cats were regarded as the friendliest by respondents, while white cats were labeled aloof, and tortoiseshell cats were thought to have too much "attitude." The subject was revisited in a University of California Davis study a few years later. This time, results were tabulated from 1,274 completed surveys.
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.
Many (But Not All) White Cats Are Deaf
The same genetic factors that give white cats their snowy coats and unique eye colors can also cause total or partial deafness in many kitties. This is especially likely in white cats with blue eyes, as the genetics related to white fur are also linked to deafness.
Deaf cats may purr and meow louder than their hearing counterparts. They may walk into a bathroom or walk-in shower and shriek, enjoying the vibration of their voice reverberating from the tiled walls and floor.
Hereditary deafness is a major concern in white cats, and even more so if one or both irises are blue in color. Researchers found that only 17 to 22 percent of white cats with non-blue eyes are born deaf.
White Cats Are Perceived As Shy Or Calm
When it comes to white cats, some say they're shyer or calmer than their colored companions. “In the United Kingdom, some believe white cats hold grudges for longer than cats of other coat colors,” Dr. Hart says.
Some deaf cats meow more often and more loudly, because they cannot regulate their “volume,” while others become mute.
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.
Gray cats had the highest score for being as shy, aloof and intolerant, while orange cats had the highest scores for being trainable, friendly and calm. Tabbies the highest for bold and active, tricolor cats for stubborn, and bicolor cats for tolerant.
The short answer, according to the ASPCA, is 13 to 17 years. That's the average for all cats kept indoors, but there are many variables that can shorten or lengthen a cat's life.
There are three gene mutations that are known to produce a white kitten: Albino gene, or Albino White cat breeds are born with no melanin pigmentation. This is an extremely rare cat and most white cats are not classified as albino. A true Albino White has pale red/pink eyes and skin coloring.
Other cats should be indoors, or at least out of the sun, during the heat of the day. Cats who are white, or who have white on their noses, ears, and around the eyes, suffer a high risk of sun-induced cancers and should be kept out of the sun at least from 10.00am till 4.00 pm.
5. Tortoiseshell and white cats were the “moodiest” with their humans among all cats. I've always personally believed that calico cats are sweet. But this study out of the UK suggests that female calico cats in the US are more likely to display aggressive behavior towards their owners.
Although they are high-intelligent felines, someone describes them as cold and wintery. However, it only seems this way. In reality, white cats are amiable but also shy and quiet. Sometimes it may seem that they are not very friendly because these cats, as we have already said, often have a hearing problem.
White cats are extremely popular with pet owners but only make up about 1.5% of the total cat population. Some white cats may have green or golden eyes, but a significant amount will have one or two blue eyes.
A superstition in North America believes that white cats and babies should not be together as your feline may feel threatened by the purity and innocence of the child, and may place a curse on your baby.