White cats with blue eyes are one of the most mesmerizing domestic felines out there. Their fluffy cloud-like fur paired with their piercing blue eyes is simply eye-catching. But is it true that these cats are deaf?
What are the different cat breeds that have white fur and blue eyes? Do the eyes of these cats change color as they age? Most importantly, why are they so special?
If these questions got you interested, then make sure to stick around. In this guide, we’ll answer all of these beguiling queries and more.
We’ll talk about genetics, places to find white cats with blue eyes for sale, and other exciting stuff!
Do White Cats Have Blue Eyes?
Some white cats have blue eyes, but not all. The possible eye colors for white cats are copper, gold, green, blue, and shades of these colors. Interestingly, most white cats, regardless of eye color, exhibit a special kind of deafness.
In the cat world, white cats with blue eyes are very special kitties. Unlike other white cats, blue-eyed white cats have slightly different genetics. Their eye color is mainly due to a cellular issue.
According to a 2015 study published in Current Biology, white cats comprise 5% of the total cat population. A portion of this 5% is blue-eyed white cats.
What Cat Breeds Are White With Blue Eyes?
White cats with blue eyes come from different cat breeds. This is good news for all of you out there who are looking for a blue-eyed white cat!
In other words, there is plenty of variety when it comes to these adorable cats. So regardless if you want a big cat, small cat, affectionate cat, playful cat, or an intelligent cat, there’s a blue-eyed white cat for you.
Check out some cat breeds that exhibit white coats alongside blue eyes!
White Persian Cat With Blue Eyes
The grumpy cat from the photo above is a blue-eyed white Persian cat. Just like most Persians, these cats are playful, intelligent, and very friendly.
White Persian cats with blue eyes have short ears, well-balanced stature, and chunky paws.
These cats are also known for their thick, luscious hair, pale nose color, and fluffy tails. You cannot go wrong with this cat as a family companion!
White Siamese Cat With Blue Eyes
The white Siamese cat with blue eyes is one of the most recognizable felines.
Like other Siamese cats, these cats have a slender build, skinny forelegs, and long tails. Another name for these white Siamese cats is “foreign white Siamese cat.”
More often than not, a blue-eyed white Siamese cat will have some markings on its body. This ranges from hints of tan and brown on its face to spots and points on other body parts.
White Balinese Cat With Blue Eyes
White Balinese cats with blue eyes are some of the most gorgeous pets one can have. These cats are often called the long-haired Siamese because of their close relation to the Siamese cats.
Blue-eyed white Balinese cats have an athletic stance and long tails. These cats sport a triangular face shape and slender limbs. One interesting thing about these cats is that they are very vocal; they love to meow!
White Himalayan Cat With Blue Eyes
The white Himalayan cat with blue eyes is another adorable charmer. This cat is intelligent, playful, and easy to get along with. The cat in the photo may not seem friendly, but it is definitely a people pleaser!
Blue-eyed white Himalayan cats have medium-length coats, short ears, and a round face shape. These cats can exhibit pointed patterns, which come in all sorts of colors.
White Ragdoll Cat With Blue Eyes
White Ragdolls are long-haired cats that look absolutely breath-taking. These cats often sport a silky coat, piercing blue eyes, and oval eyes. Ragdolls are also known for their friendly temperament and loyalty.
Among the cats on this list, the blue-eyed white Ragdoll is usually the most docile. These cats love cuddles and head butts more than anything!
White Birman Cat With Blue Eyes
Also known as the “sacred cat of Burma,” the Birman cat is among the few cat breeds that exhibit white coats and blue eyes. The playful nature of the Birman makes them a suitable pet for most households.
Blue-eyed white Birman cats often have hints of orange or ginger on their faces and tails. These cats can also have gold points!
White Tonkinese Cat With Blue Eyes
Tonkinese cats are descendants of the Siamese and Burmese hybrid. Fortunately, this cat inherited the white coat and blue eyes of its Siamese parent. These cats are intelligent, affectionate, and friendly.
Moreover, blue-eyed Tonkinese cats have a slender silhouette and a very athletic nature. These cats love jumping around more than anything else!
White Turkish Angora Cat With Blue Eyes
The Turkish Angora is a rare cat that is usually found in some European countries.
This cat is known for its good looks, long hair, and bright eyes. Just like other cats on this guide, the Turkish Angora can have white coats and blue eyes.
Many pet enthusiasts claim that the Turkish Angora has a dog-like temperament. This is mainly due to their loyalty, outgoing personality, and trainability.
Here’s a video of a blue-eyed white Turkish Angora in action:
White Turkish Van Cat With Blue Eyes
The Turkish Van is another cat that can have a white coat and blue eyes. This cat comes from a naturally occurring breed that originated in Turkey.
Its short ears, long coat, long tail, and large stature are its telltale features. Overall, the blue-eyed white Turkish Van also has a well-rounded appearance, a friendly temperament, and mesmerizing eyes.
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Are White Cats With Blue Eyes Rare?
Yes, white cats with blue eyes are pretty rare kitties. However, since these cats come from a handful of different breeds, they are still relatively easy to get a hold of.
However, it is important to remember that many blue-eyed white cats have some sort of marking on their coats. Some have points on parts of their bodies, while others will have striped patterns on their tails.
It is also possible for a blue-eyed white cat to have tinges of tan, orange, chocolate, or brown on its face and chest. Some of these kitties even have spots or a different coat color on their paws.
Simply put, the rarity of a blue-eyed white cat will depend on what you are looking for. Unless you have a particular cat in mind, you will most likely find ease in getting a white cat with blue eyes.
However, if you want an extremely rare cat, look no further than a pure white cat with blue eyes. Pure white cats comprise approximately 5% of the total cat population. Among this 5%, only a few thousands have blue eyes.
Is It True That White Cats With Blue Eyes Are Deaf?
It is common knowledge for pet enthusiasts that white cats with blue eyes are deaf, and, usually, it is indeed the case. If you’re wondering what exactly is the reason behind this, you’re not alone.
Firstly, the easy answer to this question is no; not all white cats are deaf. Many are, but not all. Let’s find out why.
In cats, congenital deafness is quite common. This condition is present in different breeds of cats, regardless of coat color, eye color, size, and gender.
However, the cases of congenital deafness are most prevalent in a particular niche in the cat world — white cats with blue eyes. Surely, their coat color and eye color are the ones to blame, right? Well, not exactly.
Deep down in their genes, all blue-eyed white cats share one thing in common, and that is an autosomal dominant gene termed as the “W-gene.”
Apparently, this gene is a pleiotropic gene, which means it is responsible for more than one feature.
The W-gene is termed after the color white. The reason behind this is that this gene was previously believed to only affect the coat color.
However, further studies found out that the gene has a significant penetrance in eye color and also deafness.
In the 1930s, the first links between the W-gene, blue eye color, and deafness were discovered. From then on, many scientists and pet experts put effort into studying the correlation.
Statistically, white cats with blue eyes with congenital deafness make up around 1 to 1.5% of the total cat population. These cats are three to five times more likely to be deaf than white cats with non-blue eyes.
Another thing about blue-eyed white cats is that they are photophobic. A photophobic cat is one that is extremely sensitive to bright light.
Finally, if you want to know if your cat is deaf, a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response test (BAER) is the best way to do so. This test is a non-invasive examination performed on humans as well as some animals.
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Do White Kittens With Blue Eyes Stay Blue as They Age?
Most white cats are born with blue-colored eyes; however, some do not retain their eye color.
In fact, a significant portion of white cats born with blue eyes will eventually change their eye color to one of the other common colors.
Some possible eye colors for these cats include hazel, green, copper, and gold. On the other hand, only a tiny population of blue-eyed white cats will preserve their eye color.
As a result, white cats with blue eyes are deemed rarer than the other white cats. This is also why it is not a good idea to buy or adopt a newborn white cat with blue eyes. It is better to do so when its eyes reach their final color.
The changing of eye colors in cats is a part of their growth and development process. In reality, this process is not exclusive to blue-eyed white cats. Cats of different eye colors also experience this change.
Scientifically speaking, the reason why cats’ eye colors change is linked to melanin production. As the cat ages, it produces more melanin — a dark brown pigment present in the skin, hair, and eyes.
However, this is not the case for fully-grown white cats with blue eyes. In fact, the reason why they retain their blue eyes is that the rate of their melanin production does not change as they age.
The Genetics Behind White Cats With Blue Eyes
For the most part, the white coats of cats have always been accompanied by blue-colored eyes. Although many of these cats change eye color as they age, they still have blue eyes for a significant portion of their lives.
The reason behind this lies in the genetics of these felines. A unique kind of gene present in these cats is the culprit for this unique combination of physical features.
This gene is known as the W-gene, and it controls the white pigmentation on a cat’s coat. The W-gene also affects the pigmentation of the eyes of a cat to some degree.
If a cat carries a W-gene, there is a 100% chance that its coat color will be white. Similarly, there is also absolute certainty that this cat will be born with blue eyes.
However, whether or not a cat will retain its blue eyes depends on the amount of melanin present in its eyes. A blue-eyed cat is one that has almost no melanin.
Naturally, a newborn cat does not produce a lot of melanin, which is why most white kittens are blue-eyed. But, as the kitten grows older, it will eventually produce more. As a result, the color of the cat’s eyes changes.
Another thing to remember is that white cats are different from albino cats. Although they look the same from a distance, their genetics couldn’t be more different.
An easy way to tell them apart is by looking at their eyes. The eye color of an albino cat is limited to pink, very light shades of blue, or hints of both.
Are White Cats With Blue Eyes Healthy Felines in General?
Yes, white cats with blue eyes are healthy felines in general. In fact, the only health condition unique to these types of cats is their congenital deafness. But even then, a blue-eyed white cat can still live a long and healthy life.
Another good news is that researchers claim that it is possible to restore hearing in white cats with blue eyes.
According to Current Biology magazine, this is possible through a neuroprosthetic device known as the cochlear implant.
But if you do not wish to have your cat go under the knife for this implant, it’s perfectly fine! After all, congenital deafness is not linked with other serious health issues.
If there’s anything you should watch out for regarding the health of your cat, these are just the common health issues. Some of these are feline obesity, cancers, diabetes, and ringworms.
It is also a good idea to check the overall health of the breed you are getting. Different cat breeds often have health conditions that are unique to them.
Places to Find White Kittens With Blue Eyes for Sale or Adoption
If you are thrilled by the idea of owning a white cat with blue eyes, you’re in luck because these cats are pretty easy to find!
In fact, there are plenty of places where you can find these kitties. We have listed the best ones down below!
When shopping for a blue-eyed white cat, one thing to keep in mind is that they can come with a hefty price tag. These cats are relatively harder to breed, which drives their price higher than average.
Here are some breeders where you can find white kittens with blue eyes for sale:
- My Champion Heart Ragdolls – From the name itself, My Champion Heart Ragdoll specializes in breeding Ragdolls. This breeder is a wonderful option if you are particularly eyeing a blue-eyed white Ragdoll. One thing to know about this cattery is that they offer pet delivery services.
- Pelaqita Persian Cats and Persian Kittens – Pelaqita Persians have been awarded by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) with the Cattery of Excellence award for multiple years. Needless to say, this breeder offers a phenomenal service. Plus, they sell blue-eyed white cats, too!
- Maryland Siamese Blue Eyes Cattery – Maryland Siamese Blue Eyes Cattery is a breeder that exclusively raises and sells blue-eyed Siamese cats. So if a Siamese is your pick for a pet, this breeder is the way to go! Make sure to check out their available cats from time to time.
If you are looking at adopting instead of shopping, it is best to narrow down your search by trying out only the most reputable sources.
However, keep in mind that blue-eyed white cats can be harder to find in rescues and shelters.
Here are some places and services where you can find white cats with blue eyes for adoption:
- Persian & Himalayan Cat Rescue (PHCR) – Founded in 1990, PHCR is one of the most trusted Persian and Himalayan rescues. If you want to adopt from them, you can call them directly or send a scanned copy of your application form via email. This rescue occasionally has white cats with blue eyes!
- Purebreds Plus – Purebreds Plus is an all-volunteer organization that also helps purebred cats. You can read important information about each rescue cat’s history and temperament with the foster family. You can begin the adoption application process by completing a form on their website.
- Adopt-a-Pet – Adopt-a-Pet is a platform backed by a non-profit organization. They partner with thousands of shelters and rescues all over the country to make re-homing pets a lot easier. Adopt-a-Pet has a pretty nifty set of search filters that will make your search for a blue-eyed white cat effortless!
- Petfinder – Petfinder is another pet adoption platform that has been around for quite some time now. This platform was designed to make pet adoption easy and accessible. You can use their extensive selection of filters to look for white cats with blue eyes.
Alternatively, you may also seek the assistance of other pet enthusiasts to help with your search. You can do this by contacting them through social media groups such as subreddits on Reddit or public groups on Facebook.
Moreover, you can also try calling nearby breeders to inquire about a blue-eyed white cat. There is a good chance your next furry friend is just around the corner!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Tell If a Kitten’s Eyes Will Stay Blue?
When your kitten is roughly one month old, its eye color will start to change from blue to a different color. Some possible colors are green, gold, amber, and yellow.
If you don’t notice this change, it’s a telltale sign your cat’s eyes will stay blue.
To verify this, wait until your pet is three to four months old. By this time, its eye pigmentation will have reached its final form. So. if your kitten’s eyes are still blue around this age, then they will probably stay blue!
What Color Eyes Do White Cats Usually Have?
The colors blue, green, gold, hazel, and copper are the most common eye colors of white cats. Among these colors, blue is the most common. This is closely followed by hazel.
Interestingly, most blue-eyed white cats tend to change their eye color as they age. But almost all white cats start with blue eyes.
Final Thoughts: Is a White Cat With Blue Eyes the Right Feline for You?
White cats with blue eyes are pretty extraordinary pets. Aside from being absolute eye-catchers, these cats are also extraordinary deep down.
Due to their genetics, these cats have increased chances of inheriting a special kind of deafness.
That said, a white cat with blue eyes is not very far from the average cat. These cats require the same amount of love and care, if not a bit more.
So, if you are looking for a stunning pet to care for, you cannot go wrong with a white cat with blue eyes!