Have you ever wondered why cats have such mesmerizing eye colors? Or how rare cat eye colors are compared to other cats? If so, you’re not alone. Cat eye colors are fascinating and diverse; they can tell you a lot about your cat’s genetics and personality.
In this article, we’ll explore the main types of cat eye colors and their rarity, from common to rare. We’ll also explain the factors that determine cat eye colors, such as blue refraction, iris pigmentation, and breeding. And, of course, we’ll show you some stunning pictures of cats with different eye colors.
Ready to dive into the world of cat eye colors? Let’s get started!
Yellow and Amber Eyed Cats
Cats with yellow or amber eyes have high amounts of melanin in their irises. Yellow and amber are variations of brown pigment, and they can vary from light yellow to dark amber depending on the amount and distribution of melanin.
Some breeds that are more likely to have yellow or amber eyes are Bengal, Bombay, British Shorthair, and other breeds that have a black or brown coat color. These breeds often have a rich or glossy coat color that contrasts with their yellow or amber eyes.
Yellow and amber eyes in cats are caused by a dominant gene that affects iris pigmentation. Sometimes, this gene is also influenced by an agouti gene that makes the coat color striped or banded. Coat color can also affect the eyes’ shade of yellow or amber.
Yellow and amber-eyed cats are very common and are the most common eye color in cats. They make up about 40% of the cat population. Here are some pictures of lovely yellow and amber-eyed cats:
Hazel Eyed Cats
Cats with hazel eyes have moderate amounts of melanin in their irises. Hazel is a mixture of green and brown pigments, and it can vary from light hazel to dark hazel, depending on the amount and distribution of melanin.
Hazel eyes in cats are caused by an intermediate gene that affects iris pigmentation. This gene is polygenic, which means it is influenced by multiple genes interacting with each other. Coat color can also affect the shade of hazel in the eyes.
Some breeds that are more likely to have hazel eyes are Abyssinian, Somali, Ocicat, and other breeds that have a ticked or spotted coat pattern. These breeds often have a warm or golden coat color that matches their hazel eyes.
Hazel-eyed cats are uncommon, but they are not very rare either. They make up about 15% of the cat population. Here are some pictures of stunning hazel-eyed cats:
Green Eyed Cats
Cats with green eyes have low to moderate amounts of melanin in their irises. Green is a combination of blue and yellow pigments, and it can vary from light green to dark green depending on the amount and distribution of melanin.
Some breeds that are more likely to have green eyes are Russian Blue, Norwegian Forest Cat, Turkish Angora, and other breeds that have a solid or tabby coat pattern. These breeds often have a silver or gray coat color that complements their green eyes.
Green eyes in cats are caused by a dominant gene that affects iris pigmentation. Sometimes, this gene is also influenced by a dilution gene that makes the coat color lighter. Coat color can also affect the shade of green in the eyes.
Green-eyed cats are fairly common but not as common as yellow or amber-eyed cats. They make up about 10% of the cat population. Here are some pictures of gorgeous green-eyed cats:
Blue Eyed Cats
Cats with blue eyes actually don’t have any melanin in their irises. Blue cats’ eyes are clear, but we see them as blue because of the way light scatters in their eyes. This is similar to how we see the sky as blue.
Some cat breeds more likely to have blue eyes are Siamese, Balinese, Himalayan, Ragdoll, and other breeds with a pointed coat pattern. This means they have darker colors on their ears, faces, tails, and legs and lighter colors on their bodies.
Blue eyes in cats are caused by a recessive gene that affects melanin production. Sometimes, this gene is also linked to albinism or white coat color. However, not all white cats have blue eyes, and not all blue-eyed cats are deaf. These are common myths that have been debunked by science.
Blue-eyed cats are not very common, but they are not extremely rare either. They make up about 5% of the cat population. Here are some pictures of beautiful blue-eyed cats:
Orange Eyed Cats
Cats with orange eyes have very high amounts of melanin in their irises. Orange is a rare variation of brown pigment, and it can vary from light orange to dark orange depending on the amount and distribution of melanin.
Some breeds that are more likely to have orange eyes are Persian, Turkish Van, Birman, and other breeds that have a long-haired or semi-long-haired coat type. These breeds often have a white or cream coat color that highlights their orange eyes.
Orange eyes in cats are caused by a recessive gene that affects iris pigmentation. Sometimes, this gene is also linked to a sex-linked trait that makes the coat color red or tortoiseshell. Coat color can also affect the shade of orange in the eyes.
Orange-eyed cats are very rare, and they are one of the rarest eye colors in cats. They make up about 1% of the cat population. Here are some pictures of amazing orange-eyed cats:
Copper Eyed Cats
Cats with copper eyes have extremely high amounts of melanin in their irises. Copper is the darkest variation of brown pigment, and it can vary from light copper to dark copper depending on the amount and distribution of melanin.
Some breeds that are more likely to have copper eyes are Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Scottish Fold, and other breeds that have a short-haired or medium-haired coat type. These breeds often have a solid or shaded coat color that matches their copper eyes.
Copper eyes in cats are caused by a recessive gene that affects iris pigmentation. Sometimes, this gene is also linked to a sex-linked trait that makes the coat color chocolate or lilac. Coat color can also affect the shade of copper in the eyes.
Copper-eyed cats are very rare, and they are one of the rarest eye colors in cats. They make up about 1% of the cat population. Here are some pictures of incredible copper-eyed cats:
Odd-Eyed Cats
Odd-eyed cats have different eye colors due to a genetic mutation or an injury that affects melanin production or distribution in one eye. The most common combination is one blue eye and one yellow or green eye, but other combinations are possible.
Some breeds that are more likely to have odd eyes are Turkish Angora, Japanese Bobtail, Sphynx, and other breeds that have a white or bicolor coat pattern. These breeds often have a gene that causes white spotting on their coat and affects their eye color.
Odd eyes in cats are caused by a rare occurrence of an incomplete dominance gene that affects iris pigmentation. Sometimes, this gene is also influenced by a white spotting gene that makes the coat color white or partially white. Eye color can also change due to injury or disease.
Odd-eyed cats are very rare, and they are one of the rarest eye colors in cats. They make up about 0.5% of the cat population. Here are some pictures of awesome odd-eyed cats:
Heterochromia Cats
Heterochromia cats have different colors within one eye due to a genetic mutation or an injury that affects melanin production or distribution in part of the iris. The most common combination is one part blue and one part yellow or green, but other combinations are possible.
Some breeds that are more likely to have heterochromia are Turkish Van, Ragdoll, Cornish Rex, and other breeds that have a pointed or bicolor coat pattern. These breeds often have a gene that causes colorpoint or white spotting on their coat and affects their eye color.
Heterochromia in cats is caused by a rare occurrence of an incomplete dominance gene that affects iris pigmentation. Sometimes, this gene is also influenced by a white spotting gene that makes the coat color white or partially white. Eye color can also change due to injury or disease.
Heterochromia cats are very rare, and they are one of the rarest eye colors in cats. They make up about 0.5% of the cat population. Here are some pictures of amazing heterochromia cats:
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article about cat eye colors and their rarity. As you can see, cat eye colors are diverse and beautiful, and they can reveal a lot about your cat’s genetics and personality (maybe).
Whether your cat has common or rare eye colors, you can be sure that they are unique and special. And remember, the most important thing is not the color of their eyes but the love and care they give and receive.
Do you have a cat with a different or rare eye color? We’d love to hear from you! Share your stories and pictures with us in the comments below. And don’t forget to share this article with your fellow cat lovers!😻
FAQ
Q: What are the most common cat eye colors?
A: The most common cat eye colors are yellow and amber, which make up about 40% of the cat population. These eye colors are caused by a dominant gene that affects iris pigmentation.
Q: What are the rarest cat eye colors?
A: The rarest cat eye colors are orange and copper, which make up about 1% of the cat population. These eye colors are caused by a recessive gene that affects iris pigmentation. Odd-eyed and heterochromia cats are also very rare, making up about 0.5% of the cat population. These eye colors are caused by a genetic mutation or an injury that affects melanin production or distribution in one or both eyes.
Q: How do coat color and eye color relate in cats?
A: Coat color and eye color are often related in cats because they are influenced by the same genes that affect melanin production or distribution. For example, cats with a pointed coat pattern (darker colors on their ears, face, tail, and legs) usually have blue eyes, while cats with a white or bicolor coat pattern often have odd eyes or heterochromia. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and some cats have different coats and eye colors than expected.
Q: Can a cat’s eye color change over time?
A: Yes, cat eye color can change over time due to various factors. For example, kittens are born with blue eyes, but their eye color usually changes as they grow older and develop more melanin in their irises. Some cats may also experience eye color changes due to aging, injury, disease, or medication. If you notice any sudden or drastic changes in your cat’s eye color, you should consult your veterinarian to rule out any health issues.
Q: What does cat eye color mean for their personality?
A: Cat eye color does not necessarily mean anything for their personality, as personality is more influenced by breed, environment, and individual temperament. However, some people may associate certain eye colors with certain traits based on their own experiences or preferences. For example, some people may think that blue-eyed cats are more aloof or independent while green-eyed cats are more curious or playful. However, these are not scientific facts; every cat is different regardless of eye color.
