Are all white cats with blue eyes deaf?

[Midnightrider]

My mum inherited a cat from her sister (who's always been a bit doo-lally!!) and said that Snowy, (short for Snowdrop) like all white cats with blue eyes, is deaf - I just wondered if this was true. The cat is deaf alright, doesn't hear the car if she's lying on the drive with her back to the gate, or a balloon bursting behind her.

[islasmum]

My mother, sister and my friend all had white cats (from the same mother) and they were very definitely not deaf! I'm now not sure what colour eyes they had, and will have to dig through some photos to find out.

[Ratty2E]

It's certainly true that white animals with blue eyes are more prone to being deaf or have certain other problems. I'm no scientist but I think it has something to do with the pigment cells being part of the neural cells and if for some reason they do not reach the parts they should while the embryo is developing and they are migrating from the spinal cord then the area can be white and the neural development of the area can be affected. Obviously it's a very complicated process and there can be other factors at work.

[Midnightrider]

I googled, it reckon's that although it isn't 100% true, between 65-85% are. Those with Siamese blood aren't as that is linked to albinoism - you learn something everyday!!

[saxy_jag]

No. We used to have one. She had better hearing than the dog - always the first one to greet us in the morning because she'd heard us coming downstairs.

[pastafreak]

My deaf cat is one of the rare green-eyed ones. He's an indoor cat...I'd never leave a deaf cat to fend for itself outside-unless there are no neighbours or roads for miles.

[islasmum]

Very interesting explanation, thank you BredyHeron1 - I never knew any of that!