Are All White Cats Deaf?



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White cats are often associated with deafness, and while there's some truth to this idea, the situation is more complex. Not all white cats are deaf, and deafness isn't exclusive to white cats. However, certain white cats are indeed at a significantly higher risk of hearing loss, depending on their genes and eye color. Understanding this link is crucial for breeders making informed decisions and for owners providing appropriate care for their feline companions.
This AnimalWised article explores whether all white cats are deaf and explains the genetic connection between white fur, blue eyes, and hearing loss in cats.
Is deafness more common in white cats?
Not all white cats are deaf, but there's a genetic link between white fur and hearing loss.
This connection comes down to three different genes that can make a cat's coat white.
- The first is albinism: this gene blocks all pigment production and creates white fur with pink-red eyes. Albino cats lack melanin throughout their bodies, including their skin and eyes.
- The second is the spotted coat gene (S): this gene is responsible for white patches mixed with other colors. This gene creates the common "tuxedo" or "piebald" patterns you see in many cats. Neither of these genes affects hearing.
- The third one is the dominant white gene (W): it masks the cat's natural color with white, but it also affects melanocytes. These cells help build the inner ear and give eyes their color during early development. When the W gene blocks melanocytes from reaching the inner ear, the cat can't develop normal hearing. This process happens in the first few weeks of a kitten's life, which means cats are born deaf rather than losing hearing later.
The W gene can affect one or both ears, leading to either partial or complete deafness. It can also affect the inner ear structure itself, causing changes in the cochlea, which is the part of the ear that converts sound waves into nerve signals for the brain.
Did you know albino cats need special care to protect their sensitive skin and eyes? Learn how to keep these unique cats healthy in our other article.

What happens if a white cat has blue eyes?
Eye color turns out to be a key indicator of potential deafness in white cats. The same melanocytes that affect hearing also determine eye color, creating a direct link between blue eyes and hearing loss. Blue eyes in cats result from a lack of melanin in the iris, the same process that can affect inner ear development.
The numbers show a clear pattern:
- Cats with two blue eyes face a 60-80% chance of deafness
- Cats with one blue eye have a 40% chance
- Cats with other eye colors have a 20% chance
In cats with one blue eye who develop deafness in just one ear, the deaf ear typically matches the side with the blue eye. This happens because the melanocyte migration problems affect the same side of the head during development.
The timing of melanocyte development explains these patterns. During early kitten development, melanocytes must reach both the eyes and ears within a specific timeframe. If they don't make it to the inner ear by about 5-7 days after birth, the hearing structures won't develop properly. The cochlea begins to degenerate, and the damage is permanent.
Genetics can also explain why some white cats with blue eyes maintain normal hearing. The W gene doesn't always completely stop melanocyte migration. Sometimes, enough cells reach the inner ear to allow normal development, even if they don't reach the iris to create eye color.
Breeders often test kittens' hearing at around 6-8 weeks old, when hearing development is complete. This helps identify any hearing issues early and ensures appropriate homes for deaf cats, who might need special care and special safety considerations.
Want to understand more about cat genetics? Read about the science behind cats with different colored eyes in our related article.
How can you tell if a white cat is deaf?
You can spot signs of deafness in cats through their behavior, but a vet needs to confirm it with testing. The signs often show up in how cats interact with their environment and communicate with you.
Deaf cats tend to compensate for their lack of hearing by relying more on their other senses. They watch their surroundings more intensely and often feel for vibrations with their paws. You might notice they sleep more deeply than other cats since sounds don't disturb them, and they startle easily when approached from behind.
The way deaf cats communicate also changes. Their meows are usually louder because they can't hear themselves, much like how humans who can't hear well often speak more loudly. They tend to use more physical contact to get attention and make stronger eye contact. You might notice they ignore calls, even at mealtimes, but respond quickly to visual signals or floor vibrations.
Many deaf cats develop special ways to sense their environment. They become more sensitive to air movements, react strongly to vibrations, and often use their paws to feel movements in the floor or furniture. Their body language might become more pronounced as they rely more on visual communication.
The BAER test [1] (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) is the main way vets diagnose deafness. During this 15-minute test, small electrodes placed under the skin measure if the brain responds to sounds played through earphones. This test can show if one or both ears are affected and works on kittens as young as 3 weeks old.
While you wait for a vet appointment, you can try some simple observations at home.
- Make unexpected noises when your cat isn't looking, or shake treats behind them.
- Watch their ear movements, deaf cats move their ears less than hearing cats.
- Try calling their name from different rooms or testing with various sound frequencies.
But remember, these home tests aren't definitive, some cats might be partially deaf or have hearing loss in just one ear.
Want to know which cat breeds are most likely to have this combination of white fur and blue eyes? Check out our detailed breed guide.

If you want to read similar articles to Are All White Cats Deaf?, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category.
- BAER testing for white cats . Governing Council of the cat fancy. Available at: https://www.gccfcats.org/breeding-cats/new-to-breeding/testing/baer-testing-for-white-cats/