White Cat Species: 17 Best Breeds & Simple Care Guide 2026.

White cat species: all white cats belong to one species, the domestic cat (Felis catus). “White” is a coat color, not a species. Many breeds come in solid white, including the Turkish Angora, Khao Manee, Persian, British Shorthair, Maine Coon, and Cornish Rex. Most white cats get their color from a dominant white gene, which is also linked to blue eyes and a higher risk of deafness.

White cats turn heads, from snowy Persians to sleek Khao Manees with odd-colored eyes. If you’ve searched for white cat species, you’re probably wondering which breeds come in white, why so many white cats have blue eyes, and whether all white cats are deaf. This guide answers those questions in plain words. It also covers sunburn and skin cancer risk on white ears, grooming tips for white fluffy cats, and how to tell an albino cat from a white one.

White Cat Species: The Short Answer

Every pet cat, whatever its color, belongs to the same species: Felis catus. So when people search for white cat species, what they usually mean is white cat breeds, or simply cats with a white coat. A white cat can be a purebred, such as a Turkish Angora, or a mixed-breed cat from a shelter.

Pure white cats can get their color in a few different ways:

• Dominant white: a gene that covers up every other color, producing a solid white cat. This is the most common cause.
• White spotting: a related gene that adds white patches. Cats with a lot of white spotting can look almost all white.
• Albinism: a very rare change in a different gene that blocks pigment.

We explain each one below, because the cause affects eye color, hearing, and health.

White Cat Breeds Recognized by the CFA and TICA

When people compare white cat species, they’re really comparing breeds. The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association (TICA) are the two largest US cat registries. Many of their breeds accept white as a color. A few are especially known for it:

• Turkish Angora: the CFA notes that only white Angoras were considered authentic in early Turkish preservation breeding, and the first US imports in 1954 were all white. Today the breed comes in many colors, but white with blue, green, amber, or odd eyes remains a classic look.
• Khao Manee: a natural breed from Thailand whose name means “white gem.” A 2020 CFA-linked breed profile on Cat-o-Pedia says it is accepted for championship in TICA and in the CFA’s Miscellaneous class, and that odd eyes are especially prized.
• Persian: the CFA Persian standard lists blue-eyed, copper-eyed, and odd-eyed white classes, and calls for a “pure glistening white” coat.
• Turkish Van: not solid white, but the CFA standard prefers a chalk-white body with color only on the head and tail.

White also appears in many other breeds. A list from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine of breeds carrying the dominant white gene includes:

Color rules differ between registries and change over time, so check the CFA or TICA standard for the breed you’re interested in. For other color combinations, see our guides to gray and white cat breeds and orange and white cat breeds.

White Cat Genetics in Plain Words

Every white cat species question eventually comes back to genes. Think of dominant white as a white sheet thrown over a painting. Underneath, the cat still carries genes for another color, such as black, orange, or tabby. The white gene simply stops pigment cells from reaching the skin and hair, so the coat looks white.

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory explains that dominant white is caused by a change in the KIT gene. Because it’s dominant, a cat needs only one copy to be white. A white cat with one copy and one normal gene will pass white to about half of its kittens. A different change in the same KIT gene causes white spotting, which gives bicolor and van-pattern cats their white patches.

Two white parents don’t always have white kittens, and two colored cats can’t produce a dominant white kitten unless one of them carries the gene. That’s why breeders often pair white cats with colored cats.

White Cat With Blue Eyes: The Deafness Link

A white cat with blue eyes is stunning, and many owners ask whether blue eyes mean the cat can’t hear. There is a real link. The same lack of pigment cells that makes the coat white can affect the eyes and the inner ear, which needs pigment cells to work properly.

Data compiled by the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine show how strong the link is. Across three studies of 256 white cats, about half were deaf in one or both ears. Two older studies broke the numbers down by eye color:

LSU also notes that longhaired white cats tend to have more blue eyes and more deafness than shorthaired white cats. UC Davis reports that, in one family of cats, nearly 75% of cats with two copies of the dominant white gene were deaf.

The CFA advises Turkish Angora breeders to pair white cats with colored cats to reduce the risk, and says some areas require hearing tests for white kittens. The standard hearing test is called a BAER test, and your vet can refer you to a clinic that offers it.

Sunburn and Skin Cancer in White Cats

Whatever the breed, every white cat species shares one weak spot: white fur and pink skin offer little protection from the sun. VCA Animal Hospitals explains that sunlight is linked to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a skin cancer that is more likely in white and light-colored cats and outdoor cats. It usually starts on thin-haired, lightly pigmented skin:

• ear tips,
• the top of the nose,
• eyelids, and
• lips.

According to Washington State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, cats in sunny climates, cats that sunbathe a lot, and older cats are also at higher risk.

VCA says surgery gives the best long-term control when the tumor is fully removed, and small tumors may be frozen off. Early treatment is much simpler, so don’t wait on a sore that won’t heal.

Grooming Tips for White Cats and White Fluffy Cats

White coats show every speck of dirt and every tear stain, so they can need a little extra attention. How much depends on the coat type:

• Persians: the CFA says owning one “calls for a serious commitment to regular grooming.” It recommends a steel or Teflon-coated comb to prevent mats, and occasional baths after a thorough combing.
• Turkish Angoras: the CFA calls this one of the easiest longhair coats to care for. Combing two or three times a month is usually enough for younger cats, with more often for older cats.
• Shorthaired white cats: a weekly brush removes loose hair and lets you check the skin.

Gentle extras help keep a white fluffy cat looking its best:

1. Wipe around the eyes with a soft, damp cloth if tear staining builds up. Sudden or heavy tearing deserves a vet check.
2. Use only shampoos made for cats, never human or dog products, and ask your vet before using any whitening shampoo.
3. Comb behind the ears, under the legs, and around the tail, where mats form first.
4. Dry your cat completely after a bath and keep it warm.
5. Use grooming time to check ear tips and nose for sun damage.

Albino vs White Cats: How to Tell Them Apart

One last white cat species question: is my cat albino? Most white cats are not albino. The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory explains that albinism in cats is caused by a change in the TYR gene, the same gene behind Siamese and Burmese pointed coats. It’s recessive, so a kitten needs a copy from each parent. It’s also extremely rare: among more than 9,000 cats tested, UC Davis found only four carriers.

A simple clue: if your white cat has green, gold, or copper eyes, it isn’t albino. Because both kinds can have blue eyes, you usually can’t be sure by looking alone. UC Davis suggests testing a blue-eyed white cat for dominant white and white spotting first, then for albinism if those come back negative.

Common Myths About White Cats

White Cat Species: FAQs

Is there a white cat species?

No. All pet cats are one species, Felis catus. White is a coat color that appears in many breeds and in mixed-breed cats.

What are the most popular white cat breeds?

Well-known white cat breeds include the Turkish Angora, Khao Manee, Persian, British Shorthair, Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, Siberian, and Cornish Rex.

Are all white cats with blue eyes deaf?

No, but the risk is high. Studies compiled by LSU found roughly 65% to 85% of white cats with two blue eyes were deaf, compared with about 17% to 22% of white cats without blue eyes.

Are white cats rare?

Not especially. The dominant white gene appears in many breeds and in mixed-breed cats. True albino cats, however, are extremely rare.

Do white cats need sunscreen?

White cats burn easily, so limit their sun exposure. Ask your vet before using any sunscreen, since cats lick their fur and some products aren’t safe for them.

What is the fluffiest white cat breed?

The Persian is the classic white fluffy cat, with a long, full coat. The Turkish Angora, Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, and Siberian also have long coats.

How can I tell if my white cat is albino?

If your cat has green, gold, or copper eyes, it isn’t albino. For a blue-eyed white cat, a DNA test is the reliable way to know.

Final Verdict: White Cat Species and Breeds

There’s no single white cat species, just domestic cats with a white coat, found in breeds from the Turkish Angora and Khao Manee to the Persian and Maine Coon. Most white cats owe their color to the dominant white gene, which brings a higher chance of deafness, especially in cats with blue eyes. Protect your white cat from the sun, groom to suit its coat, and see your vet about any sore on the ears or nose that won’t heal.