White cats and deafness, fact or fiction??

[Jules]

Hi all

I may be getting a new addition shes a little girl and i think pure white (havent been to see her yet) is it true what they say that white cats with blue eyes are usually deaf?

They are only 5 weeks old, so wouldnt they have blue eyes anyway? cant remember at what age they change.

Your opinions appreciated :D

xoxox

[Fran]

Congrats on your forthcoming new addition :D deafness can indeed be linked to the white gene although not all white cats with blue eyes are deaf, a majority certainly are. At 5 weeks she most certainly will still have blue eyes anyway. Has the vet checked her over?

[Sweet]

Awwww bless, congratulations x

[dandysmom]

Here's a link that might answer your questions.http://www.messybeast.com/whitecat.htm

[Erin]

congratulations :)

[charliebubs]

Yep, it is true - although not always in 100% of cases.

Congratulations on the new arrival!!! :)

[borderdawn]

I had a white cat with green eyes for 15yrs and he was as deaf as a post!

[Jules]

Thanks for your replies guys, i have to say i am having 2nd thoughts now, not the fact it might be deaf but the dangers involved, i live in a fairly busy area and the roads would be a death trap, then there is the sun and sun burn and she would def need to hear the dog coming, so am talking myself out of it, for the safety of the cat really, not to say we wont get another kitty but prob wont be a white one :? Is that wrong of me? i feel bad now!

[dandysmom]

That's a sensible decision giving the circumstances, especially the sunburnt ears which can lead to skin cancer...too bad, but hope the kitten finds a lovely indoor home where she'll be safe!

[Jules]

Thanks Dandysmom that makes me feel better, i was feeling a bit mean but i know its the best thing for the cat, my cats are outdoor cats and it would be hard to let them go out but keep one in.

[Fran]

Well done for sitting back and considering the implications. A deaf cat does need an inside home or at least a catproofed garden. I think you are being very responsible :)

[Jess751]

I had a male Siamese mix that was pure white with blue eyes. His mom was white and his dad was a pure bred siamese. Sadly he passed away after sneeking out and getting hit by a car. :( But he could see and was not deaf. Like previously said it is link to them but not all are deaf. Here is a pic of my boy:
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/4526/dsc0966wd8.jpg
I miss him so much :(

[Mags]

So sorry you lost him, Jess........he was a beauty!

[Fran]

Dale was a stunner, how very sad that his life was cut so short :( RIP x

[dandysmom]

What a gorgeous cat he was, Jess! RIP, Dale, run free!

[Jules]

Well done for sitting back and considering the implications. A deaf cat does need an inside home or at least a catproofed garden. I think you are being very responsible :)

Thank you Fran, i think it is the right thing.

I had a male Siamese mix that was pure white with blue eyes. His mom was white and his dad was a pure bred siamese. Sadly he passed away after sneeking out and getting hit by a car. :( But he could see and was not deaf. Like previously said it is link to them but not all are deaf. Here is a pic of my boy:
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/4526/dsc0966wd8.jpg
I miss him so much :(

So sorry you lost your boy, he was stunning

[Jess751]

Thanks :cat8