White Cats and Deafness: The Gene, the Test and Daily Care

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

White cats are striking, with a pure coat that stands out in any room. Behind the beauty lies a genetic link that every owner or prospective owner of a white cat should know about. The gene that makes a cat white can also affect the development of the inner ear, and as a result white cats are more likely than others to be born deaf.

The white gene and the ear

White in cats is mostly caused by a dominant gene, called dominant white or W. It masks other colors, and it suppresses pigment cells called melanocytes in the skin. Melanocytes also play a role in the inner ear, where they support the structures that detect sound. In cats with the white gene, the cells in the cochlea may degenerate shortly after birth, which leads to deafness.

This is different from white cats that are white because of the white spotting gene, which only causes patches. Cats that are white because of albinism are rare and have different traits. See cat coat colors and patterns.

How common is deafness?

Studies have reported that deafness occurs in a substantial fraction of white cats. Rough figures from veterinary studies are:

• Many blue-eyed white cats, perhaps a majority, are deaf in at least one ear.
• A smaller share of white cats with one blue eye and one other color are deaf, often in the ear on the blue-eyed side.
• A much lower proportion of white cats with gold, yellow or green eyes are deaf.

These figures vary between studies and populations. The blue eye color is linked to the same pigment disruption. Many cat breeds that come in white carry this risk, such as the Persian, Turkish Angora and Khao Manee. See also Turkish Van.

Odd-eyed cats

Some white cats have one blue eye and one gold or green eye, called heterochromia. If these cats are deaf in one ear, it is usually the one on the blue-eyed side. Many odd-eyed cats hear well.

Testing hearing

Signs of deafness include not reacting to loud noises, not waking when you call, sleeping very soundly, or being startled when touched. These signs are not definitive, because a cat with hearing in one ear may seem to hear normally. The reliable method is a BAER test (brainstem auditory evoked response), which measures electrical activity in the brain in response to clicks. It is painless, can be done on kittens from about six weeks old and tells you whether hearing is present in each ear. Ask your vet or a veterinary neurologist. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic.

Breeding

Responsible breeders test the hearing of white kittens, and avoid breeding deaf cats. Deaf cats are often placed as indoor-only pets. If you are buying a white kitten, ask for BAER results. See how to choose a kitten.

Living with a deaf cat

Deaf cats can be affectionate, playful and healthy. They need some adaptations.

• Keep them indoors or in a secure catio, since they cannot hear cars, dogs or other dangers. See how to build a catio and caring for a deaf cat.
• Use visual signals, such as hand signs, flashing lights or stomping on the floor to create vibrations.
• Approach gently, from the front, and let the cat see you, to avoid startling.
• Expect louder voices. Deaf cats may meow loudly because they cannot hear themselves.
• Provide enrichment. See indoor cat enrichment ideas.

Sun and skin cancer

White cats have little pigment protecting their skin, so ears, nose and eyelids are prone to sunburn and squamous cell carcinoma. Keep white cats out of strong sun, and ask your vet about protection. See cancer in cats.

Questions to ask before you get a white cat

If you are considering a white kitten, ask the breeder or shelter about hearing. Ask whether the kitten has had a BAER test, what the results were for each ear, and whether the parents were tested. Ask about eye color, since blue eyes raise the risk. If a kitten is partly deaf, it can still make a good pet, but you should be prepared for the extra care. Plan to keep the cat indoors, to teach visual cues, and to schedule regular vet visits for skin checks. If you already have a white cat and suspect hearing loss, a vet can check the ears for infection or blockage first, since those are other possible causes. Older cats can also lose hearing with age, so changes in a cat that used to respond should be discussed with a vet.

When to see a vet

Have your white kitten tested early, and see a vet for any changes in hearing, behavior or skin. See kitten first vet visit.