Not everyone knows that often i white cats are deaf (especially if they have blue eyes!). On the contrary, anyone who has had the good fortune to adopt one knows that hearing in this type of feline is not developed.
Although all the senses are very important for an animal that lives on instinct, smells, sounds and colors, the white cat by genetics manages to live well even without hearing. But why are white cats deaf?
Why are white cats deaf?
When deafness does not depend on a hereditary or post-birth disease, but above all is connected to the white color of the hair and the blue color of the eyes, it is certainly caused by a genetic factor.
White cats are often deaf due to a gene present in their DNA, which is dominant over the others. This has a specific name and is known as W. This is a particular gene that acts not only on hearing, but also on the coat and iris, with the consequence that very often white cats with blue eyes are deaf.
When are white cats deaf?
When the W gene is dominant, it actively acts on the embryo during its development, blocking the coloring of the hair and eyes. Practically erase every other color that the cat would have inherited from its parents, giving the animal that characteristic appearance that makes it look like a snowball.
The white cat is the equivalent of albino humans and has blue eyes because due to the W gene it does not inherit any other color. Furthermore the W gene also acts on hearing development.
Are white cats born deaf or do they become deaf?
The white cat due to the W gene is born deaf because in the development phase of the embryo, it causes a malformation of the inner ear. Thus it happens that the cat is born without hearing, even if not all cases are the same and there are many exceptions.
How to tell if a white cat is deaf?
If you adopt a white cat and find that it does not respond to commands and does not react to sound stimuli, then it is most likely deaf. Don’t be alarmed, though: your cat can lead a very normal life.
Are all white cats deaf?
Not all white cats are deaf. In fact, those born with white hair, but with eyes of a color other than blue, will most likely not have this congenital problem. In fact, felines with green, brown or yellow eyes are not deaf, with some rare exceptions and special cases.
White cats that have two-tone eyes will only be deaf in one ear, that of the side which corresponds to the cerulean eye.
