Types Of Eye Color In Cats (2024)

FAQs

What is the rarest eye color for a cat? ›

The most rare eye colouring in a cat is dichromatic, where the eyes will have a combination of two distinct colours within both eyes. It's caused by the cat having different levels of melanin in distinct sections of their irises.

The color of a cat's eyes is primarily determined by genetics and the amount of melanin pigment present. Common eye colors include green, yellow, and copper. The eye color itself doesn't have a significant meaning beyond these genetic factors.

Of all the cat colors, albino is the rarest. Albinism causes a complete lack of pigment, so cats have pink skin, white fur, and pale blue or pink eyes. In order to be albino, a cat must inherit two recessive genes for albinism (A/A), one from each parent.

Tortoiseshells can have eye colors that are various shades of hazel, amber or green, but there isn't one specific color that is associated with these cats. Basepaws says that “the genetic link between eye color and coat color is actually minimal,” so your tortie's coat color palette won't define their eye color.

Though orange is among the rarest eye colors for cats, some breeds will sport orange eyes more often than others. The Bombay is actually the only cat breed that consists solely of black-colored cats. Their eyes will always be copper or golden-colored. Turkish Vans are another breed known for their stunning eye colors.

Fun facts about orange cats

Ginger cats, as they're sometimes called, most often have eye coloring that's amber or gold. An orange cat with green or blue eyes is especially rare. Most orange tabby cats — 80% — are male. Orange fur originates from the so-called “ginger” gene — a recessive gene in the X-chromosome.

The strange part of all of this is that cats actually view people as fellow cats. Some researchers believe cats look at us as big, slow, clumsy, uncoordinated cats, but others say they're not quite so judgemental. The good thing is, whether or not they're judging our balance and agility, they still love us!

Narrowed pupils may be a sign that your pet is happy and content, particularly when accompanied by purring. Although purring often happens when cats are happy, some cats also purr when scared or in pain. Aggression or Anger. Pupils also tend to get smaller and narrower when your pet is feeling aggressive.

Known technically as heterochromia iridis or differently colored irises, this condition is also called odd-eyed. It's primarily a genetic condition carried by the same gene that makes cats white. A cat's eye color is determined by melanin, the pigment that affects the color of our skin.

¨ A black cat's dark facial features may cause people to be unsure of their emotional state. It has also been speculated that black animals are less photogenic than other colors and a concern over the pet looking good in photos can contribute to another color being chosen over black in the adoption process.

What is the smartest color cat? ›

There is a lot a variation in the intelligence of cats. The two smartest cats were an orange tabby and a (mostly) black cat (she had some white markings, if you looked closely).

With mesmerizing and elegant coats in various shades, cats with grey fur coats are easily one of the most popular and sought-after colors among cat enthusiasts. While there are many grey cats with calico or tabby color patterns, there are a few cat breeds that can sport the solid grey color.

Tortoiseshell cats only have two types of colors, black and orange (or gray and orange in the dilute version), with no white. A calico cat has an extra gene present for piebalding, which results in white or unpigmented areas on the body of the cat.

However, cats and humans have brains that are structured and operate in different ways; cats perceive, understand, and move through the world differently. Because autism describes human neurology, it simply doesn't apply to cats. So no, Calico cats are not autistic.

Eye color is genetically linked to coat color. Kittens are born with blue eyes, which may stay that way or change color as the kitten matures. For instance, all pointed cats have blue eyes. Cats who are solid white or mostly white may have blue, green, gold or copper eyes.

Because these colors are less common in cats, blue eyes are more rare than other feline eye colors, including yellow, gold, copper, green, and hazel. Most kittens are born with blue eyes. The eyes gradually change color as the kitten grows until they are their adult color.

Purple-Eyed Cats

You may have seen internet rumors floating around about magical cats with purple eyes. In reality, no feline has purple eyes. However, lilac or blue-toned eyes may appear purple in certain lighting conditions. This is especially true with albino cat breeds that possess lilac eyes.

Is Heterochromia Rare in Cats? Heterochromia is surprisingly common in cats, but it's more common in white cats. It's rare for cats with dark or black coats to have heterochromia. This is because of the role melanin plays in the development of coat and eye colors.