Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

White cats are at risk for these 3 conditions – find out what they are

Don't be caught off guard if your white kitty develops a skin condition

Rebekkah Adams
By
White cat with two different color eyes
Dids/Pexels

If you just brought home your first white cat, you could be in for a few surprises. These fair-haired felines have the rarest coat of all, but that also comes with unique needs. Sadly, while white cats look beautiful, they sometimes have health conditions not seen as commonly in other types of kitties. It’s important to know about these in advance, but also remember that your cat can live a long and happy life even if they have to use lotion sometimes.

What health problems do white cats have?

There isn’t any one thing guaranteed to pop up in your tiny snow leopard, but they might be at risk for some of these issues.

Recommended Videos

Deafness

Up to 80% of truly white cats with blue eyes go deaf as kittens, meaning they never learn the sounds or vocalizations that lots of hearing cats do. There isn’t anything you can do about it medically, but remember, a domesticated cat can live an amazing life without being able to hear. Lots of them even learn signs instead of spoken commands. We do recommend you keep them indoors though, since they won’t be able to navigate cars well without the use of their ears.

Related

Sunburns (and skin cancer)

Burns are horrible, and that’s doubly true if you’re a four-legged animal. It’s a lot more difficult for your beastie to take care of their skin with a little after-burn than it is for you. In addition to the discomfort, repeated sunburns can cause cancer, just as they do in humans. Luckily, a little  goes a long way to preventing this type of skin irritation.

Skin Conditions

All cats can have skin issues, but white cats often wind up getting them more frequently because of their sensitive skin. This can include basic things like allergies and more advanced issues, such as ringworm. Usually, the solution is to treat the conditions themselves as they appear, but always discuss a care plan with your vet.

A blue-eyed white cat sprawls out on top of a rug with a forlorn expression

What can you do for your white cat?

Depending on which problems affect your little guy, you might need a few extra trips to the cat doctor. They could advise you to bathe them more often, use dry shampoo, or incorporate cat lotion into your routine. Additionally, you must remember to put sunscreen on your pet every time they may catch some rays. If you have an indoor cat, that could be when they sun themselves through a window or use their catio.

White cats are wonderful pets, often considered lucky because they are gorgeous and unique. But these fuzzballs present a few special challenges, too, and you need to be prepared. Some experts say you should not take one in as a beginner and instead make sure you’re a cat pro before bringing one of these stunning creatures home. However, with enough diligence and a great care team, you can give your pearly white princess a long and exciting life no matter what health conditions they wind up having.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah Adams
Contributor
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
How much should a kitten weigh? Here’s what the experts have to say about the kitten weight chart
Does my kitten weigh enough? Experts reveal the optimal weight
Three tabby kittens snuggling in a gray cat bed.

Being responsible for a newborn kitten is a daunting task, but it's also an exciting and rewarding experience. Kittens go through some of their most impressive growth spurts during the first 12 weeks of life. But is your kitten hitting all the right milestones? Just like with human babies, there's a kitten weight chart they should reach at certain points in their growth process. Steady weight gain, opening their eyes at the right time, and increased socialization with littermates are all indications that your kitten is on the right track.

But how much should a kitten weigh at each stage of development? We've consulted the experts to find out the optimal weight goals for your kitten. We're here to share everything you need to know about the ideal kitten weight by age, what you should know about caring for kittens every step of the "weight," and when you should contact your vet for assistance.

Read more
If your cat is overeating, here’s what you need to know about their health
This behavior can be harmless or dangerous, so learn more about it
Cat eating from their food bowl

If your cat is anything like mine, food is always a top priority. Every time I enter the kitchen, my cat follows, hoping she’ll get an in-between meal treat. While many kitties cherish their mealtime, some clearly love eating more than others. Some felines are just little foodies, but others may be overeating to the point of concern.

An increased appetite in cats can be caused by several reasons, ranging from boredom to medical problems. Fortunately, PawTracks is here to help. Read on below to learn why cats overeat and what you can do to help them.

Read more
Why scruffing a cat is something you should never do according to experts
Here's how to restrain a cat without scruffing him
Gray cat being held by the scruff of the neck

For years, scruffing a cat -- grabbing the loose skin around the neck -- has been touted as a safe and humane way to restrain your pet. Thought to mimic the way that a mother cat would pick up her kittens by the scruff, this restraint method has been used by vets, groomers, and pet owners.

In some cases, handlers would pick cats up by the scruff of the neck. But the views on scruffing are changing, and it turns out that this type of hold can be unnecessarily stressful for cats. There are better ways of holding back a cat to maximize their comfort and safety, and news about the problems with scruffing is starting to get out.

Read more