Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five funny cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda and Zazzles.
You may have heard people say that white cats are often deaf, and if you’ve seen my video about my white cat’s love of being vacuumed, you’d be forgiven for assuming he was at least hard of hearing. However, not all white cats are deaf, and Clutch certainly isn’t either.
Clutch is one of the most laid back cats I have ever known. Our shepherd, Kodah, can stand next to him and bark like crazy at a messenger, and Clutch will barely even open an eye. Not only does he enjoy being vacuumed, but he comes running when I use it and meows until I stop mid-clean to give him a quick run-through.
Clutch also doesn’t follow the cat injunction that cats must immediately jump off your lap if you so much as lean in the wrong direction. He is so stubborn about being removed from his comfortable position that I almost stand up before he reluctantly dismounts, and when I come back he returns to his position before my bottom even hits the seat.
He is everything that cats usually are not.
It’s in the genes
You’ll notice that Clutch’s eyes are a light green color, which is less common than yellow or amber, but not as unusual as blue, copper, or orange eyes. The gene that determines traits such as eye and coat color is located on the feline chromosome B1, with the exception of orange coat color, which is found on the female X chromosome. The location of the blue-eyed allele on the gene means that it can sometimes affect the development of hearing, especially when paired with the allele that blocks pigment expression, resulting in a white coat.
This is why white cats with blue eyes are often deaf, while cats like Clutch have no hearing loss at all.
Not deaf, just adamant
Clutch usually prefers the company of our dogs, despite the fact that they are not always the gentlest of companions. Even when the always boisterous Kodah tries to engage Clutch in play by jumping on him, the biggest reaction he’ll receive is a slightly grumpy meow.
Because Clutch came to us as a stray when he was about 12 months old, we have no way of knowing what his early kittenhood was like, but I imagine it must have been noisy, chaotic, and full of dogs to have formed. Stick to the relaxed, laid-back cat we all know and love.
It is not All In the genes
I recently researched the cloning of pet dogs and cats and my judgment was that it would most likely result in a very expensive (+$50,000) disappointment. In fact, because the expression of coat pigment and pattern is affected by the kitten’s development in the womb, the first cloned cat didn’t even look like its ‘mother’!
If I could be sure that personality and temperament were just down to genetics, I would consider taking out a new mortgage to be able to have a lifetime worth of Clutch. Unfortunately, his unique character and quirks are far more likely to be the result of his life experiences and only partially influenced by his genetic makeup.
And then I must enjoy every moment I have with my dear – not deaf – white cat for as long as I am lucky enough to have him.
This article is part of Dr. Karyn’s series with her five funny cats.