Cat facts

Why? The dominantDominant gene: One copy from either parent is enough for the trait to show. All terms × W gene that makes a coat white is also linked to blue eyes and deafness; iCatCareiCatCare (International Cat Care): A UK charity dedicated to cat health and welfare. All terms × says white cats with two blue eyes are 3–5 times more likely to be congenitally deaf than white cats without blue eyes ^[1]. Hearing can be checked with a non-invasive BAERBAER (Brainstem auditory evoked response): A quick, painless test that measures the brain’s response to sound to check whether a cat can hear. All terms × test ^[1]. The Khao Manee is always white, and CFACFA (Cat Fanciers' Association): The world's largest registry of pedigree cats, based in the US. It keeps pedigree records, writes breed standards and runs cat shows. All terms × notes the risk in the breed ^[2].

Why? The 2004 study behind that estimate also found the PKD1 mutation responsible, which made a DNADNA: The genetic material in cells; a DNA test shows whether a cat carries a disease gene. All terms × test possible ^[1]. CFACFA (Cat Fanciers' Association): The world's largest registry of pedigree cats, based in the US. It keeps pedigree records, writes breed standards and runs cat shows. All terms × says testing and removing affected cats from breeding have since brought the disease well under control ^[2].

Why? The fold comes from a dominantDominant gene: One copy from either parent is enough for the trait to show. All terms × variant of the TRPV4 gene ^[1]. iCatCareiCatCare (International Cat Care): A UK charity dedicated to cat health and welfare. All terms × explains that it makes cartilage and bone develop abnormally, which can lead to severe, painful arthritis ^[2].

Why? It can disrupt how the end of the spine and spinal cord develop, causing "Manx syndrome", with problems affecting the hind legs, bladder and bowel ^[1][2]. Signs usually appear before four months of age, and there is no cure, only supportive care ^[1][2].

Why? Burmese hypokalaemia is a recessiveRecessive gene: The trait only shows when a cat gets the gene from both parents; carriers look normal. All terms × disease caused by a WNK4 gene mutation identified in 2012 ^[1]. That discovery made a DNADNA: The genetic material in cells; a DNA test shows whether a cat carries a disease gene. All terms × test possible, so breeders can avoid pairing two carriers ^[1].

Why? In 2015 researchers described PRAPRA (Progressive retinal atrophy): An inherited eye disease that slowly worsens sight and can lead to blindness. All terms ×-b in Bengals, a progressive retinal degeneration that begins in young cats and is inherited recessively ^[1]. Because it is recessiveRecessive gene: The trait only shows when a cat gets the gene from both parents; carriers look normal. All terms ×, a kitten is affected only if it inherits the variant from both parents ^[1].

Why? A UK study of almost 8,000 cats found that cats that weren't neutered, and cats that were too thin or overweight, had shorter lives ^[1]. These are things owners can influence, whatever the breed ^[1].