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Every cat lover knows just how fascinating feline eyes can be. Especially if your cat has blue eyes, they seem that much more mesmerizing. It’s so easy to get lost in their baby blue gaze as they inspire a sense of mystery and elegance all at once. Even though blue eyes usually occur in cats with either white fur or point markings, they can also be found in cats with a different fur color across various breeds, in both genders. Let us take a look at some of the cat breeds which are blessed with glinting blue eyes.
- Turkish Angora - Angoras are among the most ancient domestic cat breed sin the world. They originated from the Ankara region of Turkey and, today, they are among the rarest natural breeds in the world. Angoras with white fur and blue eyes are especially rare, and therefore, extremely expensive.
- Ojos Azules - Ojos Azules is a relatively new breed, believed to be originating from Poland and the United States. These cats are quite different and highly valued because they have a gene that enables them to have blue eyes but is not associated with any particular coat color or pattern. In other words, they can have blue eyes with all kinds of coats, even dark patterned ones.
- Siamese - Siamese are popularly known for their blue eyes. These cats are considered to be very intelligent and can even communicate with humans using their body language, and their frequent and loud meows.
- Ragdoll - Ragdolls are called so because they have a very cuddly nature. They will easily lean on anyone close to them and make themselves comfortable. Their fluffy appearance and enchanting blue eyes, coupled with their laid-back nature, have won many hearts.
- Balinese - Balinese cats result from the long-haired mutation of the Siamese cat. With their striking blue eyes, long and lean bodies, and swift, graceful movements, they are named after the popular Bali dancers.
- Tonkinese - The Tonkinese cat – a mix of the Balinese and the Siamese – comes in twelve different colors and patterns. What’s interesting is that each of these twelve kinds has different eyes in different shades of blue, including aqua, yellow, green, and true blue.
- Himalayan Persian - The Himalayan Persian, a mix of the Siamese (color pattern) and the Persian (huge and shiny coat), has beautiful blue eyes that stand out amongst its dark and light color pattern. They are affectionate and calm, making them an ideal feline friend for many.
- Snowshoe - A rare breed compared to others on this list, the Snowshoe traces back its roots to the Siamese. They have color point markings and elegant blue eyes, and make good companions since they are intelligent, affectionate and easy to train.
As they say, the devil is in the detail. Dive into a little more details to clarify all your queries regarding these wonderful animals.
8 Types of Cats with Blue Eyes
There’s nothing quite so striking as a pair of dazzling blue eyes, and this charming feature is made even more special when seen in the animal world. Blue peepers can be found in a number of cat breeds, especially those with white fur or pointed markings. This trait can turn up in other breeds as well, and occurs equally in both males and females. Below are some cat breeds that have been blessed with baby blues.
The Balinese came about as a longhaired mutation of the Siamese, and the breeds share all of the same features with the exception of the Balinese’s silky, flowing coat. Named after the graceful dancers of Bali, the Balinese has a long and elegant body, a full-plume tail, and sparkling blue eyes. These cats have wonderful personalities, a high level of intelligence, and just like their Siamese cousins, they love to talk.
The blue-eyed Birman is without a doubt one of the most adorable cat breeds. These fluffy felines have pointed coats and one very special feature -- white paws. They are incredibly sweet-tempered, sociable, and enjoy being held, which makes them an excellent choice for homes with children and/or other pets.
The Himalayan is a type of Persian cat that was developed by incorporating the Persian’s lustrous coat with the Siamese’s color patterns. These soft and fluffy cats have deep blue eyes and lovely personalities. They are affectionate but do not demand constant attention, and their calm demeanors make them ideal companions for the elderly.
The Javanese is a playful breed with a long and graceful body, silky coat, and exquisite sapphire eyes. These are active and social cats who prefer to be around people. Because of their level of intelligence, they tend to be very inquisitive and can be trained.
Ragdolls are large and laid-back cats who get their name from their cuddly nature. These pointed cats tend to be more interested in humans than many other breeds, and they will follow you around, sleep on you, and basically choose to be where you are. They are gentle, well-behaved, and easy to care for, which makes them ideal pets for people with busy lifestyles.
Perhaps the most famous of all the blue-eyed breeds, the Siamese is a curious and intelligent “people cat” and an expert communicator. These cats are very, very talkative and will use both their loud voice and lean body to get your attention. They are best known for their wedge-shaped heads, large pointed ears, and emotive blue eyes.
These rare cats have strong color point markings and in the purebreds, brilliant blue eyes. Snowshoes are affectionate, talkative, and social cats who exhibit great devotion to their owners. They make great companions, and they are also very intelligent and easy to train.
The loving Tonkinese comes in 12 colors and patterns, and each one has some variety of blue eyes ranging from true blue to aqua to yellow-green. These are popular companion pets because they are active and playful yet perfectly content to take up residence on your lap. The Tonkinese is a very social cat and gets along well with children, other pets, and visitors. They are so social, in fact, that they prefer not to be ignored or left alone. Because of this, many people end up with a pair of Tonkinese.
Are cats with blue eyes rare?
Cats with blue eyes are rarer than those with feline eye colors such as yellow, amber, green, and hazel. While most kittens are born with blue eyes, their eyes gradually change color as they grow until they reach their adult color. This makes blue eyes a fairly unusual feature in adult cats. Certain rare cat breeds are likelier to have blue eyes, but blue-eyed beauties are not common overall. Only a handful of cats retain their dazzling baby blues into adulthood. Those that do often have stunningly blue eyes reminiscent of glittering sapphires, making them particularly unique and striking.
Are all blue-eyed cats Siamese?
Not all blue-eyed cats are Siamese cats. While Siamese cats are well-known for their striking blue eyes, there are several other cat breeds that also have blue-eyed individuals. Among the blue-eyed cat breeds, the Tonkinese cats, which result from crossing Siamese and Burmese cats, often have blue or aqua eyes. Persian cats can also have blue eyes, particularly those with white or pointed coats. The Turkish Angora, Balinese breeds, and Javanese cats are other blue-eyed cat breeds. The Ragdoll cat is famous for its stunningly blue eyes, and Himalayan cats, which have a pointed coat pattern similar to Siamese, often also possess blue eyes.
What is the rarest eye color for cats?
The rarest eye colors for cats are odd-colored eyes and dichroic eyes. Cats with odd-colored eyes have each eye in a different color, while those with dichroic eyes have a single eye that contains multiple colors. These unique eye pigmentation patterns are rarer than typical cat eye colors and result from complex genetic factors. While not the rarest, copper is the darkest eye color you'll see in cats. Their eyes exhibit light brown hues with tones of red and orange, sometimes with yellow, green, or orange flecks. This eye color is distinguishable from orange and equally unusual, although not as rare as odd-colored or dichroic eyes. The development of such unique eye pigmentation patterns can vary among different breeds, including some of the rarest breeds of cats.
What do blue eyes mean on a cat?
Blue eyes in cats generally mean a lack of pigment in their irises. This is why all kittens are born with blue eyes, as they don't develop eye pigmentation until around six weeks old when melanin production begins. The presence of blue eyes can also be associated with a recessive albinism gene, particularly in white cats or those with specific coat colors and patterns. Certain breeds, like the Siamese and Birman, are known for their striking blue eyes and are sometimes considered sacred cats. These sacred cats have different coat patterns that often highlight their blue eyes. Combining these unique coat colors and patterns with blue eyes has contributed to their revered status in various cultures.
Do blue-eyed cats see well?
Blue-eyed cats may not see as well in the dark as cats with other eye colors. This is due to abnormal cells in the tapetum lucidum, a layer of tissue in the eye that helps with night vision. Normally, a cat's eyes glow green in the dark due to the reflection from the tapetum lucidum, but in blue-eyed cats, the eyes glow red. This difference suggests that the abnormal cells might impact their night vision efficiency. Cats develop eye pigmentation around six weeks old, as melanin production kicks in. Blue eyes, resulting from a lack of pigment, can indicate that these cats might have unique visual characteristics compared to those with other eye colors.
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