

The TYR gene works to coordinate tyrosinase, which produces melanin. Rather than the KIT gene, we need to look at the TYR gene for them.
STUART LITTLE CAT BREED CODE
These cats have an entirely different genetic code working. Of course, there are other white cats out there – albinos. 2 blue eyes mean 3-5 times the chance of deafness than no blue eyes.1 blue eye doubles the risk over no blue eyes (on the side with the blue eye).Approximately 70% of the blue-eyed beauties develop some level of deafness throughout their lives (which is only 1-1.5% of the entire cat population, to put it into perspective). Unfortunately, white cats with blue eyes also carry a risk for deafness.

And while nothing looks more gorgeous and striking than cobalt eyes on ice-white fur, the combination isn’t the best. Since other colors get masked, the eye stays blue throughout the cat’s life. The iris naturally carries a blue undertone. And scientists think it occurred as a need to protect cat breeds from cold temperatures.

It IS a dominant trait, but it doesn’t pop up often. Epistatic white is the expression you need to get a “solid” white cat. It leads to socks, mittens, bibs, and other splashes – including those famous tuxedoes. White-spotting leads to the usual white patterns you see in cat hair coats. There are two expressions of white on the KIT gene in cats: white-spotting and epistatic white. Why are they so rare? It comes down to genetics. White cats only appear in 5% of the feline population. Why go expected when your kitty’s anything but? Good thing we have 90 white cat names that take you out of the box and into the extraordinary! White Cats You want to play up the unique qualities of your fluffy friend when you start considering names. And while almost any cat breed has the potential to sport a snowy coat, the dice roll of the genetics isn’t typical. Coming across a solid white cat? Now that takes some work! They’re the rarest felines out there. Finding a cat with white spots or patches isn’t difficult.
