Is it true that white cats have a tendency to go deaf?

Question

List sources please

Answer 1

White cats with a double gene for being white have a better chance of going deaf, since this same gene that causes them to be white can also cause a peculiar deformity of the ear that causes in overwhelming cases, white cats to go deaf. You can read more about it at Catchow.com's Q&A site; the exact link is below.

Answer 2

White cats do not have a tendency to go deaf, there is a gene which causes some cats to be born deaf. I had a deaf female cat and when she had kittens I was always worried that they would inherit deafness. A deaf cat can become a graceful, intelligent friend, responding to sigh language which you invent to fit the situation, Trina always had other cats around and seemed by instinct to do the right thing. She never went out beyond the garden, something you have to be aware of. She would not have been able to hear traffic or predators.

Picking up on what one of the other correspondents said. Yes do be careful about the ears of white cats if they lie in the sun. They can get cancer, starting with the tips of the ears and it is very painful I once saw a white cat in great distress because the tips of her ears were affected. Yes you must use a sun screen cream, have a word with your vet about the best to use!

Answer 3

No, they do not have a tendency to GO deaf, they are deaf. The same is true with some Dalmatians and white bull terriers. I guess some other breeds that are all white. The white cats do not know they are deaf, the have never heard, so it is normal for them. My roommate had one and it was funny, when I vacuumed, the deaf cat would actually get on top of the vacuuming and ride on it while the other cats would run and hide because of the noise. I hope this helps♥♥

Answer 4

It depends on what kind of cat it is. White cats with 1 blue eye & 1 brown eye are the 1's that are deaf. I know this because a friend of mine had a cat like that & those kinds are born that way. I have never heard of other white cats being deaf other then those kinds with the 1 of different eye colors. My aunt has 2 white cats with blue eyes & the breed of them are called ragdolls & they are not deaf. I think just about any kind of cats though can go deaf from different reasons not just because of the color or breed they are.

Answer 5

I had a white cat who was deaf from birth, have heard since that many white cats are deaf. I don't know how true that is. Mine was a very weak cat, forever getting ear and eye infections and sunburnt ears she cost me a fortune in vets bills!

The most successful cat is the tabby, it's markings aid in camoflage so it's a highly proficient hunter, genetically the tabby is the predominant gene, the least hardy being the albino, which is considered by many to be a genetic mutation. If you assume the white cat is only a small step away from an albino, I'd expect to have problems and count yourself lucky if you don't.

All said and done my white cat was the most affectionate and loving cat I've ever had the privelidge to look after.

Answer 6

Not sure about the deafness. I have heard that all white cats have a mean streak. I've known a few and they ave all been mean. White hamsters are mean, and Dalmatians with white ears no black spots have a tendency to go deaf.

Did find a site what speak of white cats with blue eyes being deaf or going deaf.

Answer 7

There is a gene linked to both deafness and whiteness with blue eyes in cats.

Here's an interesting article about it:
http://www.messybeast.com/whitecat.htm

That said, I've had 3 white cats with blue eyes and none of them was deaf in the least.

Answer 8

White animals, (cats, rats, bats, dogs, etc) that have pink skin, especially on the ears, and light eyes have a tendency to be deaf as a result of a white cochlea, which is the area of the ear that reverbs sound. A white cochlea is stiff, has no fluid inside and does not vibrate, which sends the sound to the brain.
If an animal is white, but has dark skin and dark pigmentation of the ears, eyes, mouth, etc. are not deaf, as they do not have a white cochlea.
As mentioned before, certain breeds of dogs, such as the dalmatian, white bull terrier and other breeds that have white ears and pale pigment, frequently present as deaf.

Answer 9

They don't go deaf, they're born deaf. So do some dogs breeds-boxers, for instance. White animals might be born deaf, especially ones with blue eyes.
Norwegian Forests breeders associations are now in the process of outlawing the breeding of white cats because of that.

Answer 10

I have read that white cats are more likely to be born deaf, not go deaf. Sorry I dont have any concrete source.