Pure White Cats Deaf

In a cat with the white spot gene the deafness usually occurs in the ear affected by the spot.

Pure white cats deaf. These animals are well-known to be commonly affected by a congenital hereditary deaf-ness that may affect one or both ears. Deafness doesnt shorten their lifespan but an outdoor cat is extremely vulnerable to the elements. Shaking their head or clawing at their ear.

Deafness in White Cats. 15-40 of these pure white cats have one or two blue-eyes. Hereditary deafness is a major concern in white cats and even more so if one or both irises are blue in color.

I was told that all pure white cats with both eyes being blue are completely deaf and that all pure white cats with one blue eye are deaf on the side that has the blue eye. White cats with blue eyes are usually deaf. White spotting is not linked to being deaf.

I am not sure but I think it was an inherited problem. 31 of white cats and blue eyes had normal hearing. These cats will have hearing loss on the same side that she has a blue eye.

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. Of those white cats with one or two blue eyes 60-80 are deaf. They are deaf even if they have a blue eye.

Cornell University cites a study that found that 17 to 22 percent of white cats with non-blue eyes were born deaf. How can you tell if a white cat is deaf. 5 of the general cat population is white cats ie.