Dominant ( Epistatic) White Is A Masking Gene That Overrides All Other Coat Colours.
5% of the general cat population is white cats (i.e. Gene w also makes their eyes blue. 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.
However, the color of a white cat’s eyes is a greater indicator of deafness than their fur color. Another thing to note about white cats is that cats with white coats and blue eyes can often be born deaf. Where a cat is classed as deaf, the deafness may affect one or both ears.
65% To 85% Deafness Occurs If A White Cat’s Eyes Are Both Blue.
How come white cats are so uncommon? Hereditary deafness is a major concern in white cats, and even more so if one or both irises are blue in color. Although not all white dogs are deaf, roughly 85 distinct dog breeds have been identified to contain the gene responsible for congenital deafness.
Research Has Determined That If The Cat’s Right Eye Is Blue,.
This is an inherited genetic condition, and there’s no way of knowing whether a kitten will be affected until they grow a little older. Deaf cats can, of course, lead long and healthy lives, with just a few adaptations to keep them safe. 5% of the general cat population is white cats (i.e.
Roughly 40% Of White Cats With One Blue Eye Are Born Deaf And Nearly 85% Are Deaf If They Have Two Blue Eyes.
No, this is not always the case; Where a cat is classed as deaf, the deafness may affect one or both ears. Statistically, white cats with blue eyes with congenital deafness make up around 1 to 1.5% of the total cat population.
