A study conducted at the Van Cat Research and Application Center of Yüzüncü Yıl University in eastern Turkey has revealed that Van cats, often thought to be deaf or hard of hearing, actually possess good hearing capabilities. Over a six-year period, researchers examined more than 300 Van cats, finding that 86% demonstrated the ability to hear faint sounds effectively.
Read More
YYU Rector Professor Hamdulla Şevli shared the findings, calling them exciting and noteworthy. He emphasized the importance of this breed to the Van region, mentioning that the research results will be integrated into the documented features of Van cats, which were officially registered in 2004.
Professor Abdullah Kaya, director of the research center, explained that the study utilized advanced technology to monitor cats whose parents were not deaf, ensuring reliable results. He noted that blue-eyed cats are more susceptible to deafness, while those with black spots on their heads tend to be fully hearing. Van cats exhibit the lowest incidence of deafness among nearly 20 white cat breeds known to have higher rates of the condition.
"This research indicates that Van cats can hear sounds as low as 0 decibels at a rate of 63%," Kaya said, suggesting that misconceptions about the breed's hearing abilities may soon be corrected.
Known for their friendly demeanor, distinctive lion-like walk, and fluffy tails, Van cats remain a unique breed that has not been hybridized. The research center, established in the 1990s, continually works on projects aimed at preserving the purity and longevity of the Van cat lineage.