If you’ve ever laid eyes on a Blue-Eyed White (or BEW) Ragdoll, you know they’re kind of magical. Imagine a big, fluffy, pure white cat with deep blue eyes that look like little gemstones. They almost don’t feel real. These cats are gorgeous, gentle, and pretty rare—and there’s a lot of cool stuff behind how they came to be.
Let’s break it all down: what makes them special, how they’re made (genetically speaking), and why their blue eyes and snow-white coats don’t mean they’ve been mixed with other breeds.
Are They Really That Rare?
Yep. Blue-Eyed White Ragdolls aren’t something you see every day. Most Ragdolls come in traditional pointed patterns—color on their ears, face, legs, and tail. BEWs, though? They’re completely white head to toe. And that’s not common in the Ragdoll world.
A big reason is that these snowy cats aren’t part of the original Ragdoll look, so not a lot of breeders work with the genetics that produce them. That said, BEW Ragdolls are still 100% purebred—there’s no mixing in other breeds to get that white coat. It’s all Ragdoll, just a more hidden version of it.
So How Do You Get a Blue-Eyed White Ragdoll?
BEWs are the result of careful breeding between Ragdolls that carry white spotting gen
es. Usually, breeders
will pair high-white bicolors or mitted Ragdolls that carry the right combination of genes to end up with a kitten that’s fully white.
It’s not a shortcut or a random fluke—this
takes intention and planning. Breeders aim to preserve all the classic Ragdoll traits (sweet temperament, blue eyes, chill personality) while adding that unique snow-white coat.
And here’s an important thing: true BEW Ragdolls always have blue eyes. If you see a white “Ragdoll” with green, gold, or odd-colored eyes, that’s not a purebred BEW. Blue eyes are part of the deal, thanks to the breed’s pointed ancestry.
The Genetics (Made Simple)
Okay, science time—but we’ll keep it light. There are a couple of key genes at work here:
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The Dominant White Gene (W gene): This is the one that makes the cat all white. It basically “masks” the color and pattern that would normally show. The cat might still be a seal, blue, or chocolate point underneath, but you’ll never see it because this gene turns their fur pure white.
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The White Spotting Gene (S gene): This gene adds white to the coat in varying amounts. In some cases, it adds a little. In BEWs, it can go all the way and make the cat totally white.
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The Blue Eyes Come from the Pointed Gene: Ragdolls are a pointed breed, which means they naturally have blue eyes. The white masking gene doesn’t mess with that—so even if the coat turns white, the eyes stay that signature deep blue.
And just to clear it up—BEWs are not albinos. Albino cats have pale, almost colorless eyes. BEWs have those bright, intense blue eyes we all love.
But Are They Deaf?
Good question—and an important one. In some breeds, white cats with blue eyes can be deaf, especially if they inherit two copies of the dominant white gene.
But here’s the cool part: ethical BEW Ragdoll breeders are very careful with pairings. They avoid breeding two cats that would produce double doses of the white gene, which helps prevent deafness in the kittens.
So while deafness can happen, it’s actually pretty rare in BEW Ragdolls when bred responsibly. Good breeders will also do hearing checks just to be sure.
The Takeaway
Blue-Eyed White Ragdolls are something special. They’re purebred, incredibly beautiful, and totally unique—without sacrificing the things we love about Ragdolls in the first place: calm, cuddly personalities andthose dreamy blue eyes.
They might not be as common as traditional pointed Ragdolls, but they’re every bit as Ragdoll. And when bred with care, they’re not just beautiful—they’re healthy, happy, and ready to steal your heart.
If you ever meet one, don’t be surprised if you fall in love on the spot. BEWs have that effect.