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When was the last time you saw an all-white cat? If you have trouble answering, that’s normal. Like blue eyes, an all-white coat is rare in cats. The genetics behind the patterns and colors of a cat’s coat are very complicated — and in order for a cat to appear as pure white, his genetics must effectively reject all possible color and pattern combinations imprinted into his DNA. Whiteness occurs when a cat lacks the gene that pigments the coat, and that occurs in only about five percent of the total cat population.
In cats with this genetic defect, blue eyes appear at rates of up to 40%. Due to this genetic abnormality, a white cat breed with blue eyes is unfortunately much more often deaf. Just because cats are pure white doesn’t mean they are healthy or at higher risk for health problems, and some breeds are more likely to produce all-white kittens than others. Here are the eight most common white cat breeds, along with white cat names, to get your imagination going.
#8: Norwegian Forest Cat – Sleepy Giants Built for Cold
The first thing most people notice about the Norwegian Forest Cat – affectionately known as the wegie – is its size. The average wegie weighs 14 pounds and is almost a foot long, and they are sometimes mistaken for Maine Coons as result. But Wegies are an entirely different breed that is easily distinguishable by their triangular faces and the fact that their fuzzy coats are naturally less messy. Their personalities are also very different – with Maine Coons being more affectionate and wegies being more independent. Even in cases where they don’t have a pure white coat, most Wegie patterns have a prominent white base combined with a secondary color.
Suggested White Cat Name: Snowball
Some white cat names persist because they’re a classic — and Snowball continues to be a popular choice. Considering that wegies are adapted to survive hard Norwegian winters, Snowball is a particularly suitable choice.
#7: Foreign White – bred specifically for whiteness
When geneticist Patricia Turner discovers an overexposed photo of an apparently white Siamese, she was struck by the urge to breed an all-white cat that possessed the blue eyes of a Siamese, without the greater risk of deafness common to many other blue-eyed cats. The result was created by breeding Siamese and British Shorthairs together. The result is remarkably similar to the first and also inherited the Siamese’s sharp intelligence and loving personalities. Despite their fur appearing completely white, they bear the typical points and markings of the Siamese in their undercoat. Foreign whites are recognized as an independent race in the United Kingdom but are treated as a variant of the oriental race in America.
Suggested White Cat Name: Opal
It can take six million years for the beautiful white gem known as the opal to develop – and while the strange white didn’t last that long, it still took a concentrated effort to create something extraordinarily beautiful. Cherish that process with the name Opal.
#6: Russian White — Russian via Australia
The Russian white man gets his name not from where he was bred, but from his lineage. Australian breeders started breeding a non-pedigree white Siberian cat with a Russian Blue. As such a recent breed and one of such a narrow lineage, the Russian White is still in the process of gaining recognition from many countries, even though Russian Whites were eligible for Championship status in 2010. In terms of personality, this all-white cat breed is functionally identical to the Russian blue. Like their ancestors, these cats are sweet and shy to be easily trusted, but they become warm companions once they come out of their shells.
Suggested White Cat Name: Anastasia
The story of Russia lost princess is a tragic one, but there is a sense of hope in the fact that her name means resurrection – a concept also closely associated with the idea of purity and the color white. Take Russian inspiration for your Russian white and give it an appropriate royal name.
#5: Cornish Rex — smart enough to cause trouble
White is one of seven solid colors recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association Cornish Rex breed standards, although there is also a large portion of the population that is white with minimal markings in other colors. Regardless of the color of his coat, a Cornish Rex’s coat is undeniably unusual. His short hair is wavy in a way that no other breeds are and is believed to come from a spontaneous mutation rather than intentional breeding. Cornish Rexes also have big personalities to match their unusually sharp and wild traits. Their mischievous and playful nature makes them exceptional pets for families with children and other pets, but they are also prone to problems. Their keen minds often lead them to discoveries, and they are always happy to speak out loudly how they feel.
Suggested White Cat Name: Blizzard
Few cat breeds possess the wild chaotic energy of the Cornish Rex, so it’s only natural to name yours after a natural disaster. It’s a name that can turn your special kitty into the cutest natural disaster you’ve ever seen.
#4: Himalayan – Affectionate Fluff Balls
The Himalayas is a large and fluffy cat that is easily identified by its unique points and masking, except in the case of those who are genetically all white. Himalayas are simply a type of Persian cat bred from a Siamese that possesses that breed’s points and fluffy hair. Himalayans are an incredibly popular breed, both as a pet and show cat. Their fuzzy coats play a part in that popularity, but they are also highly prized for their calm yet affectionate personalities and the ease with which they adapt to new situations. All white Himalayans can participate in shows as part of the solid white Persian department.
Suggested Breed of White Cats: Marshmallow
Both marshmallows and Himalayans are large, round and fluffy – and they are often both white. There is no more perfectly whimsical choice for these cuddly pieces of fur.
#3: American Curl — Flamboyant and Fabulous Felines
No matter what color an American Curl is, you’ll probably notice his ears before ever commenting on his coat. Their uniquely curled ears make them look like no other breed, but it’s a rare genetic mutation that was selected through human breeding rather than a mechanism that helps them in the wild. They are also known for their fantastic tails that curl wildly outwards and one of the most expensive cat breeds. These cats have big personalities to match their loud aesthetic. Always feline, the typical American Curl will wake up his caretaker in the morning to start the day and show an active interest in the activities of human and animal relatives. They need a lot of attention, but you can count on them to return with affection and love.
Suggested White Cat Name: Ghost
If you count an American Curl as your family member, chances are you’ll hear a lot of bumps at night and find that strangely enough things are missing. But these cats are some of the loudest — and friendliest — ghosts you’ll meet.
#2: Turkish Van — Bred by Mother Nature
Most cat breeds are the result of methodical and meticulous care on the part of human breeders, but the Turkish Van has managed to develop entirely on its own. This cat is coming out Turkey, and the van in its name is a reference to the unique matching color patterns on its head and tail. While many breeders have worked diligently to breed all-white versions of various breeds, pure white Turkish Vans do occur naturally. These cats are actively bred not to be all white and instead keep their patterns. Strongly built and highly intelligent, this breed is often compared to dogs and can be trained to fetch and walk on a leash with relative ease. Further bolstering their reputation as canine personalities is their strong tendency to swim.
Suggested White Cat Name: Duchess
The white cat who starred in Disney’s animated film the aristocats is Angora, but her regal demeanor and strong maternity instincts make her a great model for white members of this other Turkish race.
#1: Khao Manee — The Diamond Eye Cat
Thailand’s Rare Khao Manee is the only cat in the world to wear exclusively white fur – and it’s a particularly brilliant one. Their snow-white fur becomes even more surprising when contrasted by the breed’s bright eyes. Eyes can be green, blue or gold – and heterochromia is common in the species. That short coat also emphasizes this breed’s lean and powerful muscles. Once a beloved pet of Thai royalty, this cat is believed to be a harbinger of good luck. Although extremely rare, the Khao Manee is a healthy and robust breed that is also very friendly with strangers, human companions and other pets.
Suggested White Cat Name: Coconut
Coconut is a staple of many Thai dishes – and the interior of these fleshy fruits is the same color as a Khao Manee. It may not be the most serious name for this rare breed, but it is unlikely that you will take offense to Khao Manee.
Next one: Types of tropical birds
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