White cats are among the most popular, but the genetics of white cats can make it easier for them to develop some diseases. You may have heard that white cats are deaf most of the time, and unfortunately, this can happen. In addition, the low concentration of melanin increases the chances of the kitten developing skin diseases, such as cancer.

The white coat can manifest itself in breeds such as Angora, Ragdoll and Persian, but it is also very common among mongrels. But, whether it is an SRD or a white breed cat, the guardian needs to pay more attention to certain details. The adoption of the white cat comes with some care for life. Understand!

White cats cannot be exposed to the sun for too long

Cats love to sunbathe, but the habit should be even more careful when we talk about pets with lighter coats. Melanin is the protein responsible for protecting the skin from the action of the sun's rays, but white cats naturally have a lower amount of this substance, leaving the skin less protected. Exposure to UV rays should be moderate to low, as this predisposition increasesthe chances of the white kitten suffering from dermatitis and even feline skin cancer.

Regardless of the color of the cat, however, it is recommended to avoid sun exposure at the hottest times of the day. With white fur, care is doubled! Ideally, any activity in the sun should be before 10 am and after 5 pm - the same time indicated for humans. Even the sun's rays that pass through the window and enter the house can be dangerous, so always be aware.

Sunscreen is an essential product for a white cat

As white pets are more prone to skin diseases, sunscreen for cats needs to be part of their routine, especially if they like to sunbathe (even at times when the light is at its lowest). Pet sunscreen works in the same way as human sunscreen: by creating a protective barrier on the skin against ultraviolet rays to reduce the risk of sun damage.The product should be applied all over the pet's body, with a special focus on the ears, paws and muzzle, which are the most exposed parts.

White cats are deaf most of the time

After all, is every white cat deaf? It is not possible to say that deafness occurs in 100% of cats of this color, but the probability is very high. The reason is in genetics. The W gene is responsible for the white color of the animal and is present in all cats that have this color. However, this gene is also related to degenerative deafness. Therefore, feline hearing is impaired in most cats.Deaf or not, the care of the pet's ears should be taken from a young age, as problems can appear at any stage of life - not just in old age, as is more common in cats of other colors.

Always keep an eye out for noises that your cat doesn't like and avoid very loud sounds so as not to risk bursting their eardrums or promoting the development of other hearing impairments. It is also very important to have frequent veterinary check-ups to monitor your cat's ears, so that any problems are spotted early on.

Finally, avoid letting your white cat have access to the street with laps, as he is even more at risk from possible predators and accidents in general, as his hearing may be naturally more impaired.

Caution regarding deafness should be increased with the blue-eyed white cat

If the tendency to deafness is already a problem for the white cat, it is even worse with the blue-eyed white cat. This is because the W gene (which is related to white hair color and deafness) is also related to blue eye color. This means that the blue-eyed white cat has a double predisposition to hearing problems. If it is a case of heterochromia in cats, i.e. one eye is related to blue eye color, the other to blue eye color.of each color, unilateral deafness may occur on the side of the blue eye.

The blue-eyed white cat may also have vision problems

Feline vision is another point that deserves attention when we talk about the health of the blue-eyed white cat. The low concentration of melanin not only affects the color of the hair, but also of the eyes. The lack of this protein makes the eyes less protected from the action of the sun's rays. This means that the blue eye has less sensitivity to light and may end up suffering from eye diseases. byTherefore, it is very important that the guardian takes care not to expose the pet to the sun. In addition, those who have a white cat with blue eyes at home should avoid very bright lights, as they greatly impair the animal's vision.