With their pure, snow-like fur making them stand out from other cats, white cats are frequently perceived as being elegant and rare. Therefore, a common question is: Are all white cats albinos? And what about the widespread notion that all blue-eyed, snow-white cats are deaf?
Although it’s common to believe that all cats with white fur are albinos, this isn’t always the case. The genetic condition that causes albino cats affects more than just the color of their coat. However, the majority of white cats are not actually albinos; rather, they just have a gene that causes their fur to be white.
There is some validity to the theory that white cats with blue eyes are more likely to be deaf, but it is not a strict rule. Granted, not all white cats with blue eyes are deaf. However, many of them are. These traits are mostly determined by genetics, which is more complicated than it first appears.
| Question | Answer |
| Are all white cats albinos? | No, not all white cats are albinos. Albino cats lack any pigment in their skin and fur, while many white cats simply have a genetic trait that gives them a white coat. |
| Are snow-white cats with blue eyes always deaf? | No, not all snow-white cats with blue eyes are deaf, but a higher percentage of them have hearing issues compared to cats of other colors. It depends on the genes they inherit. |
Albino cats: the cause and signs of albinism
Tyrosinase is the enzyme that produces melanin, a pigment, and its absence or deficiency is genetically determined and causes albinism. About 90% of white cats are mistaken for albinos in the first form of the anomaly, which is incredibly rare and results from the influence of the TYR albinism gene allele in 1 out of 10,000 cases. The disease shows up as pale pink nose, fingertips, and white fur. It also causes the iris and pigment membrane of the eyes to become colorless, giving the animals’ eyes a reddish-pink or pinkish-blue hue (see photo).
The effects of the same gene’s alleles ca, cb, and cs result in partial albinism. The first mutation results in nearly total suppression of melanin synthesis in the body; the animal in question has light blue eyes and white fur. The appearance of green and blue eyes as well as the lightening of black and brown hues to light brown and light beige are caused by the alleles cb and cs. It’s interesting to note that female cats are more likely than male cats to carry the albinism gene.
Why does a cat have white fur and blue eyes?
Most of the time, the white color gene W’s influence—rather than albinism—causes the blue eyes and white fur. The presence of at least one dominant allele of this gene results in white fur. These animals have bright pink paw pads and noses, unlike albinos.
Because two recessive alleles of the W gene combine to form a color that is influenced by other genes, a male and female cat with white fur can give birth to kittens of different colors.
The bright blue eyes clearly show that the animal is not an albino and that pigment is present in its body. The animal’s eyes often turn green or yellow due to increased melanin production in the iris rather than the fur, but the fur stays white. The W gene plays a role in the development of heterochromia, or variations in iris color. In this instance, only one eye produces the pigment.
Check out also: The Guinness Book of Records’ description and photo of the world’s fattest cat (weighing in pounds)
Deafness of white cats: myth or truth?
Every kitten is deaf from birth. The babies’ ear canals begin to gradually open by the second week of life, and by the time they are one month old, they can discriminate between sounds. Endolymph is a secretion generated by inner ear cells that facilitates hearing. In the early stages of a kitten’s life, the organ of Corti, a portion of the auditory analyzer, degenerates due to the presence of a specific gene mutation, such as a lack of melanin or an excess of it.
Although it is untrue that all cats with white fur are deaf, these animals are particularly vulnerable to hearing issues. Why does this occur? In this instance, the white color gene W is responsible for deafness. Although a deaf kitten’s parents may not have white fur, they can still pass on the dominant allele of this gene to their offspring.
It is well known that a white cat’s chance of becoming deaf is inversely correlated with the amount of pigment in its iris. The ear on the side of the blue eye is often deaf in cats who have heterochromia.
Naturally, a vigilant pet owner will quickly identify hearing issues in their animal companion, but in the case of a white kitten, the pathology can be removed and the hearing loss may be the result of an inflammatory process or foreign body in the ear canal. A BAER test, a non-invasive research technique that evaluates the brain’s electrical activity in response to sound vibration exposure, is required in this situation. It goes without saying that a pet with hearing issues cannot be used for breeding.
It’s a common misconception that all white cats are albinos, but that’s not the case. White cats just have a genetically determined coat color, whereas albino cats are completely pigment-deficient. Therefore, not all white cats are albinos, even though all albino cats are white.
Regarding the notion that blue-eyed, snow-white cats are invariably deaf, this is partially accurate but not necessarily the case for all cats. According to studies, many white cats with blue eyes are more likely to become deaf, particularly if they have two blue eyes. Not all of them, though, will have hearing problems. It’s a hereditary characteristic that varies greatly amongst cats and breeds.
Whether or not they are albinos, white cats are distinctive and stunning. Even though some may have health issues, such as deafness, this doesn’t stop them from being amazing, loving, and affectionate pets. Regular veterinary check-ups can help you keep an eye out for any potential problems and guarantee that your white cat remains healthy and content.
Not all snow-white cats with blue eyes are deaf, and not all white cats are albinos. Unlike typical white cats, who only have white fur, albino cats are completely pigment-free. Although there is a genetic component that makes many white cats with blue eyes more likely to be deaf, this is not a given. While deafness in one or both ears is possible, many white cats with blue eyes are able to hear perfectly.
