White Cats With Blue Eyes Are They Deaf

Albino cats are not linked to deafness.

White cats with blue eyes are they deaf. Cornell university cites a study that found that 17 to 22 percent of white cats with non blue eyes were born deaf. They are deaf they are photophobic intolerant of bright light because of the blue eyes they have reduced vision in low light conditions. 40 percent of white cats with one blue eye were deaf. Many cats are born with congenital deafness which causes deafness in the cat as it ages instead of later on.

When it is albino with blue eyes gen cat o with red eyes gen c for example. Deafness can occur in white cats with yellow green or blue irises although it is mostly likely in white cats with blue irises. If 40 percent of these cats are deaf it means the majority 60 percent can hear. White cats can have blue gold green or copper coloured odd eyes.

In one 1997 study of white cats 72 of the animals were found to be totally deaf. While there is no treatment for hereditary deafness in cats most cats adapt well to their condition. In those with only one blue eye 30 40 will be deaf so the majority will have normal hearing. An estimated 40 percent of white cats with blue eyes are deaf which is high.

In these cases the cats can be with white spots or white. In those cats with eyes of another colour only 10 20 are likely to be deaf. White color of the coat occurs in cats in the following three ways. When it has the gene for white spots gene s.

Unless both ears are affected cats may never show any signs of hearing loss. Still look at it this way. And 65 to 85 percent of white cats with two blue eyes were deaf. Of white cats with one blue eye about 40 percent are deaf in at least one ear.

Some of the cats were deaf in only one ear interestingly if a cat had a blue eye on the right side of her head she tended to be deaf in the right ear and vice versa. Domesticated cats with blue eyes and white coats are often completely deaf. Interestingly deaf cats who are white and have blue eyes make up around just 1 1 5 of the total cat population. However deafness also occurs in white cats with green or yellow irises although it s more likely in blue eyed white cats.

About 20 percent of non blue eyed white cats also are deaf. In white cats with mixed coloured eyes odd eyed cats it has been found that deafness is more likely to affect the ear on the blue eyed side. Black and white cats with blue eyes have a much more common type of hearing and vision problem that may be related to their eye color. However in white cats with two blue eyes roughly 60 80 are likely to be deaf.

The deaf ear is usually on the same side as the blue eye. Due to their genetic make up a white cat with blue eyes is 3 5 times more likely to be deaf than a cat with different coloured eyes.