Most Beautiful Cat Breeds with Blue Eyes

Cats are one of the most popular pets in the world. While there are often no preferences when it comes to cat coat colors, certain cat-eye shades are less common and have thus become the target of many designer cat breeders.

At the same time, blue eyes are the most rarely found and, thus, the most popular eye color in cats. However, one should be aware that cats with blue eyes can often have various health problems.

Here you will learn everything about cat breeds with blue eyes and which are the most beautiful cat breeds with blue eyes.

What you should know about eye colors in cats

The rarest eye colors in cats include blue, yellow and orange eyes. Cats with green eyes tend to be the most common but are often not purebred but hybrids.

In contrast, cats with orange eyes are usually purebreds, and the color is often found in cats with darker coats, such as Bombay or Chartreux cats.

Cats with yellow eyes are often found in Persians and Bengals. The yellow color of the eyes is particularly pronounced in these breeds, and the eyes appear bright.

Blue eyes, in particular, are a rarity in cats. Russian Blue Cat, Siamese and a Variety of other Cat Breeds are famous and popular worldwide for their characteristic blue eyes. The color of the eyes varies from light to deep blue in these breeds. The rarest eye colors in cats are listed below.

• 1 Blue
• 2 Yellow
• 3 Orange

What are the Most Beautiful Cat Breeds with Blue Eyes?

Some breeds tend to be more blue-eyed, although, of course, there are always exceptions. Blue eyes are common in cat breeds that have either all-white fur or a point pattern. However, domestic cats can also occasionally be blue-eyed.

Blue eyes in cat breeds usually occur in conjunction with light or even white fur. As a result, they lack so-called melanocytes– color cells that color the fur of their colorful conspecifics.

Purebred cats with blue eyes have captured the hearts of people around the world. But which cat breeds actually keep their blue eyes? Here we present you the typical pedigree cats with blue eyes:

Balinese Cat

A Balinese Cat could easily be mistaken for a Siamese cat from a distance. This is not surprising because their ancestors are the noble Siamese. But this American-born beauty differs from its Asian relatives in its bushy tail and long coat.

The Balinese cat has a silky, flowing coat, a bushy tail and gorgeous deep blue eyes. The long and elegant body of the Balinese leaves a graceful impression, and because of their elegance, they were named after the exotic dancers of Bali.

They are said to be an affectionate breed and especially friendly to their cat owners. Balinese give a lot of attention and love to their cat owners, provided they are well cared for.

In the 1950s, Marion Dorsey began breeding long-haired Siamese cats in California – that is, today’s Balinese. Although, by the name, a clear distinction from the Siamese cat was intended. Besides the Balinese cat reminded by her graceful appearance, also very Balinese temple dancers.

Birman Cat

The Birman Cat belongs to the cat breeds with blue eyes that give them a sweet appearance. Birman cats are gentle, playful, affectionate, and ideal for families.

The name of the Birman often needs to be clarified. In English, the cat breed is called “Burma,” but it is not to be confused with the Burmese cat! There is even a legend about this blue-eyed cat, known as the “Sacred Cat of Burma.” She received her luxurious fur and stunning blue eyes from a goddess as a reward for her devotion and loyalty to a priest.

The Birman cat belongs to the semi-longhair cats. Its bright blue eyes and the typical point pattern remind me of a Siamese cat – only that its fur is fluffier. A unique characteristic of this beautiful cat breed is the white paws.

Himalayan Cat

The Himalayan stands out for its unique beauty, which harmoniously combines the characteristic features of the Persian and Siamese cats. Apart from its appearance, this cat is becoming increasingly popular due to its balanced temperament and exceptional adaptability.

The eyes of Himalayan cats are always bright blue, and their shape and stature resemble that of the Persian cat, except that they have a different coat pattern. Their fluffy fur and heavy bones make Himalayan cats appear pretty prominent, although this is not the case – because most of it is their fur.

Himalayan cats are also known as Siamese-Persian crosses and were first bred in the 1930s. By mating Siamese and Persian cats, the intention was to produce a Persian cat with a unique fur coat.

In the end 1920s, cat breeder Virginia Cobb and a Harvard Medical School researcher, Dr. Clyde Keeler, laid the foundation for a new breeding program. At the time, Dr. Clyde Keeler researched the gene responsible for color points in cats.

The goal of the breeder and the researcher at that time was to breed a cat with the coat of a Persian and, at the same time to develop a cat with the blue eyes and the markings of a Siamese. This was the birth of the Himalayan cat.

Javanese Cat

The Oriental Longhair Cat is also known as Javanese or Mandarin. And whoever has seen the sea-blue eyes of the Javanese cat once will fall in love with this cat.

However, the name Javanese has no connection with the island of Java. They originated from the breeds Colorpoint, Siamese and Balinese. The blue-eyed Javanese look extraordinarily delicate and elegant, although in reality, they have a muscular physique. They are also adept at jumping and climbing, making the Javanese look acrobatic.

They are known for their communication skills, among other things. For example, Javanese communicate with their cat owners when they are unhappy or want to claim their owner’s undivided attention.

The Javanese is a beautiful, oriental longhaired cat with a great need for closeness and an intelligent, playful personality. Adaptable and friendly as she is, she will fit in wonderfully with a pet-loving family who will be there for her a lot.

The Javanese is characterized not only by her almond eyes and beautiful long coat but also by her incredibly people-oriented character. She loves cuddling and petting above all else and shows quite clearly if the togetherness is too short for her: She reacts in a huff, and it can take some convincing until she is gracious to her owners again.

Ragdoll Cat

The Ragdoll Cat is a large semi-longhair cat. It is largely framed and has a long, bushy tail. The Ragdoll is considered the largest domestic cat in the world. The medium-length, silky coat is distinctive in Ragdolls – this further emphasizes their imposing appearance.

The tail is long, bushy and well-furnished with hair. The eye color of a Ragdoll is always blue. Seal-, Blue-, Chocolate-, Lilac-, Red- and Cream-Point are known as coat colors. Seal Point cats like Siamese, Burmese, or Ragdoll have a modified gene that darkens the colors only on cold parts of the body, the points.

The kittens are born entirely white. The whole coat darkens with growing up only a bit, while it becomes really dark only at the cooler places of the body like the face, ears, legs, and tail. Also, the regular blue eye color is a result of gene mutation.

Ragdoll cats are very people-oriented animals, amiable and friendly. They are very socially oriented and prefer to be with others for a short time. A Ragdoll Cat is intelligent, attentive and very interested in what is happening around her, in the apartment and outside the garden.

She often walks with her owner like a dog. She is always open-minded and friendly towards children and other animals and is ready to play. Aggressive behavior is practically unknown to her. Therefore, the Ragdoll can be described as an ideal family cat.

Siamese Cat

You’ll recognize the Siamese Cat by the typical coloring of its fur and its stunning blue eyes.

Siamese cats are one of the oldest and most famous cat breeds in the world, and they were once considered “Sacred Cats” and used to guard Buddhist temples. In ancient times, Siamese cats were royalty, and a thief faced the death penalty if a Siamese cat was stolen from the royal court.

Besides their beautiful fur and clear blue eyes, their character should be addressed. Siamese cats are very social, friendly and people-oriented and love it when you take enough time with them to play and cuddle.

The ancestors of today’s Siamese cat come from the former kingdom of Siam in present-day Thailand. Here they appeared for the first time 150-200 years ago.

The writings of the Tamra Maew, also called cat poems, do not mention the Siamese Cat by name, but the illustrations show clear characteristics of the breed. The cats inhabited the temples together with the monks and were said to be able to lead the souls of the deceased into the afterlife.

In Europe, the first Siamese cats arrived at the end of the 19th century when English diplomats took a couple of them home. Then, in 1871, European breeders exhibited a Siamese cat in London Crystal Palace for the first time, which caused a great sensation.

The two cats of the British Consul General Sir Edward Blencowe Gould, named Pho and Mia, given by the Siamese King, were the first breeding pair in Europe. Until the 1939s, the exotic cats were so rare in Europe that they were even kept in zoos as attractions.

Snowshoe Cat

The Snowshoe Cat with her almond to walnut-shaped intense blue eyes will melt your heart. She got the name Snowshoe because of her adorable white paws.

The young Snowshoe kittens are entirely white at the time of birth and develop different colorings, such as red, cream, seal, blue, chocolate, purple, tabby-pointed, fawn-pointed, cinnamon and tortie-pointed.

In the 1960s in Philadelphia, cat breeder Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty had a litter of kittens. These had striking white paws. These “snow shoes” were a real eye-catcher and absolutely untypical for Siamese cats. Siamese cats should have dark paws, so nature played a trick on the breeder.

The Snowshoe Cat took the hearts of cat lovers in the USA by storm. With her deep blue eyes and unique character, this lovable feline will also inspire you because the Snowshoe is a cat of contrasts, which can be highly self-confident on the one hand and very sensitive on the other.

Turkish Angora Cat

The Turkish Angora is a pretty, elegant and very determined cat with high intelligence. When she sets her mind on something, she does it. No bookshelf is too high for her, and no closed door is safe from her.

The Turkish Angora cat is very lively, playful and active. By the way: She is the oldest longhair cat breed and, therefore, the “Mother” of all longhair cats. This cat has been known in Turkey since the 15th century. Ottoman sultans gave away the pretty long-haired cats to the courts in England and France.

The Turkish Angora cats were thus the first long-haired cats to come to Western Europe. Among the admirers of the noble cat breed was also King Louis XV, who gave the animals as gifts to princes. In the 18th century, the white cats had developed into a status symbol, and it was impossible to imagine the European courts without them.

The Turkish Angora cat enchants not only because of its extraordinary appearance but also because of its open-minded personality: uncomplicated, friendly, intelligent, cuddly and playful.

The Turkish Angora likes to purr, sit on your lap, snuggle up on your shoulder on the sofa and enjoys “riding” on her human’s shoulder from time to time. Sometimes Turkish Angora cats act like a dog, as she seems to “heel” and follows their owner every step.

Ojos Azules

This blue-eyed cat breed is not only incredibly beautiful but also the rarest breed on this list. Its name, “Ojos Azules,” comes from Spanish and means blue eyes. There are only a handful of these cats in the world. Unfortunately, this means that it is quite difficult to own one.

The eyes of the Ojos Azules cat are so fascinating and have such an indescribable blue that it is hard to believe. The Ojos Azules, as a breed, visually looks more like a conventional house cat. In addition, it is also considered cuddly and trusting. The Ojos Azules is particularly easy to care for and is gradually gaining popularity.

The Ojos Azules Cat originates from New Mexico in the USA. All coat colors are allowed except white. This is because the combination of white coat and blue eyes carries significant genetic risks. Adult cats can reach between six and seven kilos. With a shoulder height between 25 cm and 35 cm, they reach a good size, which is quite suitable for domestic cats.

The Ojos Azules not only sounds exotic, but it is. It is quite an unknown and rare breed, but it is slowly becoming more known and famous.

Extraordinary, proverbial attention is on her eyes. She has a very fascinating and distinctive look. Namely, the Ojos Azules has bright blue eyes. These have a such strong expressions that they are even the reason for her name.

The Science Behind Blue Eyes in Cats

A cat’s eye color is not only hereditary but is mainly determined by the pigment melanin. The more melanin a cat has in its skin and hair, the darker it appears. In blue eyes, the amount of melanin in the iris – the colored part of the eye – is significantly reduced. Blue eyes are recessive gene traits.

The eye iris itself is transparent and consists of two layers, the inner and outer layers. The inner layer is thicker and consists of muscles that can open and close the eye. The outer layer, on the other hand, is thinner and consists of pigment. In cats with albinism, the iris usually remain colorless and red blood vessels shine through the eyes. Therefore, the eyes of cats with albinism usually appear reddish.

However, the color of a cat’s eyes can change throughout its life. For example, young kittens usually have blue eyes, which first gradually darken and take on the true color of the eyes as they age. Only in the course of life do the eyes of older cats then become a bit lighter.

But a cat’s eye color can also be an indicator of certain health problems. If you notice eye changes in your darling, you should therefore consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. Especially cats with blue eyes suffer more often from eye diseases, cat allergies, eye inflammations and cat eye degeneration.

Genetic Risks in White Cats with Blue Eyes

The fact that white cats with blue eyes are disproportionately affected by deafness suggests that a genetic defect is responsible for deafness. The gene responsible for white pigmentation occurs in many cat breeds. These include the British Shorthair, the Maine Coon, as well as the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Persian Cat.

In these cats, congenital deafness is much more common than in breeds where this hereditary factor is not so common. Why this is the case has not yet been clearly explained. Nevertheless, there seems to be an obvious connection between eye and coat color and the occurrence of deafness.

Often there is a genetic defect in the W-gene – especially white cats with blue eyes become deaf or also hard of hearing. In many cases, in white cats with blue eyes, the inner ear is not developed correctly, so the animals cannot perceive their environment acoustically.

White cats with another eye color can also be deaf. However, the probability is highest in light cats with blue eyes that they are born deaf or become deaf in the course of their cat life. Professional and responsible breeders, when breeding white cats with blue eyes, take care that the deafness gene cannot be passed on. This is done in the form of various tests that they perform before breeding.

Why does the genetic defect lead to deafness?

If a white cat is deaf, the so-called organ of Corti is missing in its inner ear in many cases. This normally serves in the cat’s ear as an interface between acoustic, mechanical vibrations and nerve signals. If the organ of Corti is missing in a cat, sounds can, therefore, not be transmitted, and the quadruped is, therefore, deaf.

All Kittens are Born with Blue Eyes

Even though all cats are born with blue eyes, only some cats keep them blue. All others have beautiful green, yellow or copper eyes. But why is that?

Eye color is formed in the iris or rainbow skin, which consists of two layers. These have a large number of pigment cells, which produce the pigment melanin. The refraction of light through the lens also affects eye color. A high proportion of melanin leads to a strong coloration, i.e., copper-colored eyes, while a low proportion leads to a weak, light coloration.

Blue eyes are caused by the absence of pigment cells. The eyes are virtually colorless and appear blue due to the refraction of light. Green and yellow eyes lie between these extremes, with green eyes being the most common.

Kittens all have blue eyes at first because melanin production has not yet taken place. It then takes about 3 to 4 months for the final eye color to develop. This does not take place in cat breeds with blue eyes.

Kitten Shortly after Birth

Blue eyes indicate the absence of pigment cells. Actually, the eyes would thus be colorless, but the light is refracted in the lens so that it appears blue. Since melanin production starts only after birth, newborn velvet paws always have blue eyes.

Only at the age of about three to four months can you see the final eye color in your darling. This is due to the fact that in the beginning, there are still no pigments. Due to the refraction of the lens, the eyes of baby cats appear blue. Nevertheless, depending on the cat species and breeding, the blue eyes in kittens do not remain permanently blue.

Summary

“Eyes of agate” – this is how the French poet Charles Baudelaire describes cat eyes in one of his famous poems. This undoubtedly sounds mystical and mysterious but tells us nothing about the appearance of a cat’s eyes.

This is because agates can come in almost any color – unlike cats’ eyes. These are mostly amber or greenish shimmering. The rarest eye color in cats is blue. As with humans, we love the dreamy look of blue eyes, which reminds us of the sea or the sky. Only in a few cat breeds, the eye color remains blue after birth.

Cats with blue eyes can usually reach a good age. However, exactly how old they become can vary from cat to cat. As a rule, however, cats with blue eyes are relatively long-lived and reach a ripe old age.

However, it should be noted that cats with blue eyes are exposed to an increased risk of disease, which is genetically determined.

A professional and careful breeder will make sure that the deafness gene cannot be passed on to the next generation. This is done in the form of various examinations that they perform before breeding.

Cats are complete works of art, but especially the eyes of a house cat fascinate cat lovers every time anew.