Why Do White Cats Have Blue Eyes?
How Do Genes Play a Role? – Genes make up who we are, and the same is true for animals. Just as human genes may influence what color hair we have or how athletic we are, a cat’s genes can determine its appearance and possible inherent traits, like deafness.
It turns out that there is a strong link between the genes that create a white coat and blue eyes with deafness in cats. Geneticists and cat breeders have long been fascinated with the connection between deafness and cats with white fur and blue eyes. Scientists have determined that one dominant gene, called W (for White), creates the snow-white coat coloration.
This gene is also responsible for creating blue eyes and deafness. If a cat carries the W gene, it will have a white coat with 100% certainty. However, if the cat carries the W gene, it may also have an equal likeliness for both deafness and blue eyes.
Why are the whites of my cats eyes blue?
2. What About White Cats With Blue Eyes? What Percentage of White Cats With Blue Eyes Are Deaf? – It is a different story when it comes to white cats with blue eyes — about 60 percent of white-dominant kitties — who got their coloring from mutations in a gene called KIT.
In these cats, the blue eyes result from a cellular issue: These irises have fewer melanocytes, which are cells that make pigment. These same cells create skin pigment and play a role in inner-ear functioning. Therefore, cats with fewer melanocytes — white cats with blue eyes — may not have enough of the cells for their hearing to function properly, Dr.
Lyons says. White cats have a genetic makeup similar to albino humans, who lack pigment; this gives them some vulnerabilities, like sensitivity to UV light. An estimated 40 percent of white cats with blue eyes are deaf, which is high. Still, look at it this way: If 40 percent of these cats are deaf, it means the majority (60 percent) can hear. 
If your kitten has blue eyes, her eye color will likely change. Photography ©skyblue16 | Thinkstock.
What kind of cat is pure white with blue eyes?
Rattanakosin Kingdom ( Bangkok ) – Khao Manee Mural Painting in Wat Thong Noppakhun, Bangkok, Created in the reign of King Rama 1-3 (AD 1782 to 1851). In the reign of King Nangklao (AD 1824-1851), the Khao Manee is more frequently mentioned. Khao Manee cats are famed and there have been paintings found of them at temples.
- The white cat was originally known as the ‘Khao Plort’, then became known as the Khao Manee in the reign of King Chulalongkorn (1868-1910 AD).
- The Khao Manee is not to be confused with the Siamese, or any Siamese relative including the Foreign White Siamese, which was bred from purebred Siamese with one white-coated British Shorthair ancestor.
Though both white cats have a common background, the Siamese cat and the Khao Manee have different genetic structures, bloodlines and breeding policies, thus Khao Manee are considered a completely different breed in the West, as well as in its native home of Thailand,
Although the breed is well known in its native land, it has only recently been adopted by Western cat breeders, gaining ” registration only ” status from TICA in May 2009. On 3 September 2011, the breed was promoted to ” Preliminary New Breed “, effective from 1 May 2012 and on 30 August 2013 the breed was promoted to “Advanced New Breed”, effective immediately.
Now the breed also gained “Miscellaneous” status in CFA from 2018 and was therefore accepted in other associations such as WCF.
Why does my white cat have one blue eye and one green eye?
Can cats have a single eye with two different colours? – When cats have two different coloured eyes this is known as complete heterochromia, but there is also a condition known as sectoral heterochromia. This is when a single iris contains two or more colours, eg half is blue and half is green, and is a result of an inconsistent distribution of pigment within the iris.
Are most white cats blind?
Other Conditions – White cats are no more prone to blindness than any other color, with the exception being albino cats. Albinism is a lack of color pigments, or melanin, rather than an actual white coat, and it is usually accompanied by red eyes. White fur offers less protection against the sun, which means that a white cat is more prone to sunburn, even through windows. 
Image Credit: Pixabay
What is an all white cat called?
Siamese – Also referred to as “foreign white,” pure white Siamese cats lack the classic darker-colored “points” on the ears, face, legs, and tail. Moreover, all Siamese kittens are born white, developing darker colors as they grow. These cats love their families and prefer to be the center of attention. They’re also quite vocal and will let their humans know when they want something.
What type of cats are white with blue eyes?
Persian – João Pedro Neves / Getty Images With their soft and silky coats, distinctive smushed faces, and sweet personalities, Persians are one of the most popular and recognizable cat breeds. White Persians often have blue eyes. Persians are known for being undemanding, calm, and loving.