Since ancient times, it was believed that cats with different eyes bring good luck to every home. Now modern scientists are constantly arguing and do not agree on what this interesting phenomenon is connected with. Some argue that different eyes in a cat are a mutation, others believe that this phenomenon indicates the presence of some hereditary disease in the animal.
It is worth looking at this phenomenon in more detail. On the one hand, we are faced with the so-called difference of eyes (scientifically called heterochromia, from the Greek geteros - different, different, and chroma - color). This is what they call eyes with different colors of the iris of the left and right eyes, or different shades and colors of different parts of the iris on one eye. This phenomenon can be found in people and some animals, most often in cats. Heterochromia is complete when one eye is bright blue, and the second can be, for example, golden, green or another color. Less commonly, cat eyes are partially heterochromic.
Which color can be called the most stylish and royal? Opinions will be divided, but, perhaps, the leading position will be taken by white. White cats look the most regal and beautiful. In combination with a pink nose, the same color ears and pads on the paws, they look unusually elegant.
Let's look at several of the most popular breeds today, among which there are often cats with eyes of different colors.
Turkish Van
This breed of cats with different eyes is not very famous in Europe and is popular only in Turkey itself and some Asian countries. The Turkish district of Van is the birthplace of these beautiful white animals, which is why they were given this name.
One of the main features of the Turkish Van is the color of the iris . As a rule, the eyes have complete heterochromia - one eye is blue, and the other is orange or amber. Cats of this breed have soft and silky fur. Despite the fact that they are quite fluffy in appearance, cats of this breed do not have particularly long hairs. Turkish Vans are quite smart and easily amenable to simple training techniques. Even at home.
Cats of this breed are playful and love various pranks. They can find their own entertainment in the house. For example, a high point will be a peak that they will constantly conquer. By nature they are hunters, so they are not at all afraid of bodies of water. Thanks to this feature, the bathing process will only bring pleasure to both the animal itself and its owners.
Another white cat with different eyes is Khao Mani. Kittens of this breed are commonly called “diamond eyes.” This breed of cat was bred in Thailand by order of the royal families, so the price of Khao Mani is quite high, and not everyone can buy it. This is especially true for representatives of the breed with different eyes. Thais are convinced that an odd-eyed cat can bring wealth, good luck and peace with tranquility to the house.
Khao Mani are short-haired cats with a small body size . Their main feature is the fear of loneliness, so they are extremely active and friendly. Cleanliness is also a hallmark of this breed, making them easy to care for.
Origin of white cats
Cats with white fur have never existed in nature because it would not allow them to hide or hunt. Therefore, in nature there have always been kittens with a gray or brown color, which could always hide against the background of a tree or grass. Darker colors also protected outdoor animals from sun damage.
As a result, white breeds are animals bred by humans. However, not everything is so simple in their dazzling white beauty. Indeed, as a result of breeders, these pets do not have melanin (coloring pigment) in their bodies, which would protect the cat from ultraviolet radiation.
That is why such breeds require close attention - they cannot stay in the sun for long. In addition, it is believed that white kittens live shorter lives than dark ones, since they are more susceptible to cancer.
However, despite this, today most people like snow-white cats, and people are happy to have them at home.
These cats may have eyes of different colors:
So, let's look at some of the breeds of these furry animals in order.
Turkish Angora
Kitten breeding experts claim that this species is the most common. This breed of cat first saw the light of day in Byzantium. Namely in the city of Angora, so part of the name comes from this. At the beginning of the 16th century, the Turkish Angora was brought to Europe.
The angora's coat is long, silky, but thin; its muzzle has a more elongated shape. Males are small in size. They have a very peaceful, kind, playful and affectionate character (see full description of the character of the Turkish Angora).
Scientists say that this breed often has blue eyes, but there are individuals with different colors. The immune system is very well developed, however, what confuses some owners is that they are partially deaf.
Turkish Van
This cat is not very famous, so it is not particularly popular. The name comes from a Turkish district called Van, hence the name of this white cat.
He also has different eye colors. Often one eye is blue and the other is yellow or orange. Such pets can rightfully be called fluffy, because their fur is soft, silky, although not long. Turkish cats are quite smart and can easily be taught some training techniques.
Van cats are very active and love to play pranks. In your house they will always find a high point where they will definitely need to jump. In nature, these are hunting cats, so they are not afraid of bodies of water. As a result, if the owners need to wash the cat at home, it will not be difficult.
The Turks themselves believe that this cat brings good luck and if you keep it in the house, it will help you achieve your goals in life. It is precisely because of such reasoning that a monument to this breed was erected in the city of Van.
Khao Mani
“Diamond eye” or “white pearl” is exactly how they speak about this type of kitten. And this is not surprising, since the appearance of such a cat resembles a queen. This conclusion cannot be easily made, because in Thailand, khao mani was bred specifically for royal families.
For these reasons, such a breed is not easy to acquire, since it knows its worth. Thais believe that having this animal brings them prosperity, good luck and peace.
Their fur is short and their body size is small. However, such a kitten does not like to be left alone, because it is very sociable and friendly. The cat is truly royally clean, so it is very easy to care for her.
Persian cat
Persians are considered the most common cats in the world. Since they come in different colors, the white ones with different colored eyes are a really great find. However, for such a find you need to pay twice as much.
Of course, it also happens that heterochromia occurs in other breeds, but this is more often explained by the fact that this has occurred to some extent as a gene mutation. Therefore, if you want to buy a white cat with different eyes, we advise you to choose one of the breeds listed in this article, or you can see what kind of white cat with blue eyes there is from several breeds.
Turkish Angora
Another cat breed with different eye colors is the Turkish Angora. This animal is small in size, has small bones, and has a long body with round ribs. The weight of the animal is on average 5 kg. Angoras quite often have representatives of the breed with a similar phenomenon. The head has long erect ears. The animal's body may be covered with fur :
- cream;
- white;
- black;
- blue;
- even red.
Felinologists say that this particular breed is the most common white-colored individual with different eyes. These kittens were first bred in Angora, in Byzantium, from which they got their name. Already in the sixteenth century, the breed was brought to continental Europe.
White animals are very popular. They sell them at a higher price. Those individuals purchased from nurseries, as a rule, live longer - approximately 18-20 years.
To ensure that Angora does not get sick, is active and mobile, it is recommended to include food with biological additives in her food. The animal must be brushed regularly. She also urgently needs her ears cleaned and her nails trimmed.
Angoras have an active temperament. They simply love to be the center of attention, are excellent at training, and love physical activity. So smart that they can learn simple tricks. Photos of such an animal will decorate any photo album.
There is no single specially bred cat breed with eyes of different colors. This feature, despite its rarity, is found in many species of animals, the list of colors of which includes white. Some people inherit this genetic mutation of cells, while others acquire it as a result of some disease. However, there are several breeds for which heterochromia is most typical.
This unique phenomenon is called heterochromia and occurs not only in cats, but also in other animals and even in humans. Scientists have not yet fully figured out the reasons for its appearance. Today, there are several factors that influence different eye shades in animals:
- 1. Lack or excess of melanin pigment, which is responsible for the color of the iris, color of the animal’s fur and skin. The color tone of the iris depends on the concentration of this substance and the uniformity of its distribution.
- 2. White-haired gene W. Some cats carry the white-hair gene in their DNA from generation to generation, and with it a genetic predisposition to different-colored eyes. It is worth noting that these genetic mutations can appear in absolutely any individual, regardless of breed. This gene also carries the risk of death of the offspring in the womb.
- 3. Presence of diseases. Very often, heterochromia occurs in animals prone to cancer, leukemia, etc.)
It is worth noting that multi-colored eyes are found not only in completely or partially white cats, but also in black, tortoiseshell, or animals of other colors. Variations in eye colors are also different. The most common combination is yellow and blue, but there can also be blue with gold, green, brown, orange, etc. The following varieties of this anomaly are distinguished:
- Partial. With it, not the entire iris is painted in different colors, but only certain parts of it.
- Full. When each eye has its own color.
- Congenital. Caused by a hereditary mutation.
- Acquired. Occurs due to the presence of any disease and long-term use of medications.
Interestingly, about 30% of cats diagnosed with heterochromia are deaf and have severe hearing problems. Usually this is complete or partial deafness in one or both ears. In addition, breeds that are characterized by this mutation require special care, since they have a tendency to cancer and are not recommended to spend long periods in the sun. According to statistics, pure white kittens live shorter lives than cats of other colors.
Cat breeds with different eyes have always attracted special attention. Some consider them mystical creatures, while others love their pets without attaching much importance to the color of their eyes, just for who they are.
Different eye colors are usually found in completely or partially white cats, but there are colored and black animals with heterochromia. This feature is a consequence of a lack or excess of melanin pigment, which also affects the color of the animal’s coat and skin.
Heterochromia occurs in humans, but is much more common in cats. Moreover, one eye is blue, and the other can be orange, yellow or green. This feature often indicates existing health problems, for example, deafness, but this is not the rule.
Genetics of the phenomenon
Heterochromacy is a phenomenon associated with different colors of the irises of the eyes. The cause of its occurrence is always a lack or excess of the melanin pigment in cats, and in albinos it is even completely absent.
This feature is much more common in cats than in humans. In this case, one eye is most often blue.
Variegation of eyes in cats is directly related to color and most often affects animals that have a lot of white in their color, although it also occurs in black cats. In this case, the second, non-blue eye can be yellow, green, or orange.
Cat heterochromacy can be easily explained from a genetic point of view.
The snowy coat gene has a strong effect not only on the color of the coat. During the development of the fetus in the womb, it also has a significant impact on the formation of the nervous system. It is its presence in the nerve endings of the eye that causes the absence of melanin there and forms the blue color of the iris. Both organs of vision or one may be affected.
This gene also affects hearing. After all, most white cats with blue eyes are deaf. And if the nerve endings on one side of the head are affected by it, then different eyes are observed, for example, blue and yellow irises, and unilateral hearing loss.
If the cat is completely white and both irises are blue, then this is the action of the dominant W gene. If it is homozygous, then the kittens die in the womb. Only heterozygous snow-white and blue-eyed individuals survive. In this case, White is combined with another “non-white” gene. Therefore, the entire litter is never born pure white; often there are spotted and even black babies.
Different cat breeds with different eyes
special breed of cats with different eyes . Heterochromia occurs in Persian, Scottish, British cats, Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Canadian and Don Sphynxes, Maine Coons, Kurilian Bobtails and others. However, there are some cat breeds that have different eyes .
One of the most famous breeds of cats with different eyes is the Turkish Van. Not all, but many of its representatives have this feature. One eye is yellow and the other is blue. The color is dominated by white in combination with red, cream, blue or black. In addition, there are tortoiseshell-white cats.
The Van cat has very soft and pleasant-to-touch fur; you want to pet this cat for a long, long time; you literally don’t want to let it go. Among the household members, she usually chooses one for herself, the most beloved, and follows him as if tied, looking languidly into his eyes and taking advantage of every opportunity to jump onto his lap. The Van cat is very sociable, inquisitive and active; she easily jumps onto the highest cabinet or refrigerator in search of treats or toys. It can even be taught simple commands, such as “give me a paw” or “fetch.” Van cats love water and will never refuse to take a dip or swim in a pond or bathtub.
In the homeland of this breed of cats with different eyes , in Turkey, they are valued extremely highly, and in the city of Van itself there is a monument to it.
The Turkish Angora is a small, graceful cat with surprisingly soft and fluffy fur. The roots of this breed go back to the ancient Byzantine city of Angora, from where these beauties were brought to Europe in the 16th century. There are various colors: white, black, cream, blue, marbled and others. The Angora cat is very friendly, enjoys playing and communicating with its owner. Like the Turkish van, he chooses only one person for this role. Most of the odd-eyed representatives of this breed have hearing problems, which is partly compensated by the presence of a stable immune system in such cats.
Khao Mani
Khao Mani is a rare and expensive short-haired white cat native to Thailand. Even the kings of this country were among the fans of Khao Mani. Its other names are “white pearl”, “cat with gold and silver eyes” and “diamond eye”. It is believed that Khao Mani brings good luck and prosperity to the home. According to the breed standard, they must be exclusively white, but colored kittens are also born periodically. In some cases, the spots disappear within a year, in others they remain forever. Cats of this breed are excellent companions and are well suited for keeping in an apartment due to their cleanliness and unpretentiousness.
Different eye colors in cats are not considered a pathology; on the contrary, heterochromia is attractive due to its unusualness. There is nothing mystical about the physiological feature, but the different shades of the “fluffy” eyes look gorgeous. Genetics have shown a predisposition to heterochromia in animals with snow-white fur or contrasting white spots. Similar white spots are also found on the mucous membrane of the eyes, due to which when the pet reaches a certain age, they change color.
Breeders have still not been able to develop a separate breed of cat that would be famous for the constant birth of offspring with different eyes. But among some, heterometry is still more common than in other animals.
Breeds of odd-eyed cats
There are many such varieties. But all of them are predominantly white in color.
Khao-mani
Although it is believed that heterochromacy is inherent in selective breeds, Kao-mani breaks all stereotypes. But differences of eyes are quite rare among these snow-white pets.
This is an ancient indigenous breed of Thailand that developed naturally.
Kao-mani means “diamond eye” and is the only type of cat that can have only one color - completely white. Kittens are sometimes born with small black spots, most often on the head, but by the age of one year they disappear completely.
This very rare shorthair cat is perhaps the most expensive of the domestic breeds. Finding a real Khao Mani is very difficult; the animal is considered a national treasure of Thailand. A small number of individuals can be purchased in the USA and France.
By its temperament, this is a charming pet - very cheerful, active, energetic, non-offensive, and easily finds contact with everyone.
Turkish van
This breed was bred on the basis of the ancient inhabitants of the Lake Van valley. Therefore, these animals with semi-long unique hair are excellent swimmers, fishermen and hunters.
Each hair of the skin has a special lubricant, thanks to which water rolls off the fur and the undercoat does not get wet.
The animals are quite large—the male weighs up to 9 kg—and strong.
The most characteristic color is completely white fur on the back, belly, sides, and head.
There are two bright red spots on the top and forehead, and the tail is also often the same color as the markings.
By nature, these pets are sociable and emotional, but they sincerely become attached to only one person, and they consider him their owner.
Heterochromacy is more common in combinations of blue and yellow.
Turkish Angora
This breed was almost lost by humanity as a result of wars and political disasters.
Today in Turkey, the Angora is considered a national breed and is protected by the state. Although the colors of this cat are varied, the pure white variety with different eyes is especially valued - blue is combined with bright yellow, green or golden-green.
By nature, these pets are inquisitive, playful and sincerely attached to humans.
Exotic and Persian
These two breeds are very similar in body and head structure, only the Exot has short hair, and the Persian has long hair.
But the nature of the breeds is strikingly different. The exotic is one of the most beloved varieties in the world precisely because of its gentle and kind disposition, while the Persian cat, although slow and calm, is a rather harmful individual.
The plush, stuffed coat of the Exot and the long, fine coat of the Persian come in a wide variety of colors.
White color is often combined with small multi-colored spots. Heterochromacy is also possible - a blue eye is usually combined with an amber one.
Oriental cat
One of the most graceful and sophisticated breeds, in its grace and swift movements it resembles a wild cat.
Fearless pets are very trusting and inquisitive, but at the same time they adore people and are very attached to their owner.
The colors of the Oriental are varied, but snow-white pets with different eyes are unique and very beautiful. Blue eyes are most often combined with emerald.
British and Scottish cats
These pets differ in the structure of their ears: the British have straight ears, while the Scots have drooping ones.
This is one of the most widespread and recognized breeds in the world, a calm and somewhat phlegmatic pet that is attached to people.
In both breeds there are absolutely white individuals with bright blue eyes, sometimes heterochromacy of the blue-copper type is possible.
Rex
There are various breeds of cats with wavy hair - Cornish, Devon, Selkirk, Ural, Bohemian Rex, La Permian.
These gentle and affectionate pets are very beautiful with absolutely white fur and different eyes - blue, amber or green.
Sphinx
Canadian, Don, St. Petersburg Sphynxes, which have absolutely no hair, are also susceptible to heterochromacy.
These pets are loved by many people for their pathological attachment to household members, devotion and tenderness.
Absolutely white individuals combined with eyes of blue and bright emerald shades amaze with their alien appearance.
Amazing cats with different eyes
Experts identify the following breeds of white fluffies that delight owners with their heterometry:
- The Turkish Van is a cat that glorified Turkey outside the country; a monument was even erected in its honor. “Fluffy” is distinguished by a gentle disposition and loving nature; to keep the animal in a great mood, it is enough to stroke the purr every day. The cat's fur is soft and velvety, so touching it is a real pleasure. The animal is faithful and devoted, directly clinging to members of its family, gratefully giving warmth for the care and attention provided. Like any other pet, it is important for the Van breed to choose one owner. By the way, the color of the fur can be very different, if the main color is white, inclusions can be red, black, blue and cream. In this breed, many kittens are born with one yellow eye and the other sky blue.
- A special white cat with different eyes, the Khao Mani is a breed bred in exotic Thailand. Even if a kitten is born with spots, after a couple of years they noticeably lighten or disappear altogether. Thoroughbred offspring are not cheap, but when you buy a luxurious beauty, you get a faithful friend who loves to take care of himself and is clean. Even the kings of Thailand admired khao mani. Seeing your pet for the first time, it is impossible to pass by the unusual eyes - one silver and the other golden. Don't be surprised if your kitty has trouble hearing - the gene responsible for heterochromia deprives most white cats of hearing in one ear, and on the blue eye side. The good news is that the animal’s vision is excellent.
- The Turkish Angora
is a white cat with blue or multi-colored eyes. The character is good-natured, sociable, playful, the animal is capricious in food. Therefore, the owner needs to approach the selection of a diet for a furry cat especially carefully, respecting its pretentious tastes. The purebred animal has good immunity, which successfully fights viruses and bacteria without causing trouble to the purr and the owner.
At what age can you determine the different eye colors of a kitten?
If previously heterochromia was considered a genetic anomaly and the appearance of such kittens was not welcomed, now everything is just the opposite. Breeders are struggling to unravel the genetic algorithms that are responsible for the eye color of cats, and kittens with heterochromia are desired and in demand.
But when kittens first open their eyes, they all have the same “baby” blue color.
This baby has one eye darker than the other - heterochromia may be suspected
The accumulation of pigment in the iris occurs gradually, and eye color changes with age. Heterochromia can be reliably determined at 2.5-3 months.
Experienced cat breeders, however, know that you can find out eye color even earlier. To do this, kittens are examined in a dark room with a weak light source. Blue eyes glow red, and the rest glow green.
This Turkish Van kitten is 1 month old - and it’s already clear that his eyes will be different colors
Health of cats with heterochromia
Owners of pets with different-colored eyes need to remember the following nuances of furry health:
- If a blue eye suddenly turns red, your cat most likely has a bruise. The veterinarian will diagnose a broken vessel or hematoma, which should only be treated under the supervision of an experienced doctor.
- The color of the eye can change if melanoma grows or another neoplasm appears, a tumor located in the eyeball or fundus. Not every veterinarian is able to make an accurate diagnosis, so if you do not trust one doctor, consider him insufficiently competent, and the treatment does not give visible positive results, do not be afraid to consult another veterinarian.
Features of care
There is no need to take any mandatory measures to care for cats with different-colored eyes, the only thing is to pay attention to the nitrous oxide that has accumulated in the inner corner of the eye; if there is a lot of it and it is purulent, it’s time to see a veterinarian.
As for the snow-white coat, during the molting period it must be combed with a furminator, and the purr needs to be accustomed to the procedure from early childhood. It is better to put the slicker aside, otherwise the cat will lose its natural source of heat. If the coat is too long and tangles form, trimming will help in the summer.
There are many varieties of cats, cats and kittens with different eyes, so it is worth familiarizing yourself with the information presented in this article to get a complete understanding of them and their features.
The article will discuss the most famous representatives of the breed, which have these characteristics, and will provide answers to frequently asked questions about them and their name, as well as recommendations for care and feeding.
Cats with different eyes breed, character
Angora cats have different colored eyes. Ethologists claim that such animals have just as changeable moods, are unpredictable and more capricious than cats with the same eye color.
Cat breed with sad eyes, sad cat from China
Most likely we are talking about a representative of an exotic shorthair cat breed, namely a cat named Snoopy. His photographs posted on the Internet made the kitten with big sad eyes popular not only in China, but throughout the world.
The cat with sad eyes from the cartoon Shrek, Snoopy
When you see sad cat eyes in cartoons about Shrek or Leopold, it is taken for granted. It's another matter when you encounter a cat with sad eyes in life. And it is not as rare as it might seem. Expressions of sadness can often be seen in exotic, Persian and Scottish cats. Thus, it was thanks to his irresistible look that a cat named Snoopy won hearts and gained more than a thousand views from Internet users.
Breed of cats with sad eyes and short legs name of the breed
Cats with sad eyes and short, dachshund-like legs belong to the Munchkin
. The breed arose as a result of natural mutation, and not through targeted selection.
White cat with huge different eyes, what is the breed called?
Off the coast of Turkey you can see a local landmark - a large sculpture of a white cat with huge eyes. The image of the immortalized mustachioed fluffy did not arise in the imagination of the sculptor. Such an animal also exists in nature. The breed is called Turkish Van. Cats of this breed are famous for their unusual multi-colored eyes and ability to swim.
Cats with different eyes care and feeding, price
Caring for and feeding cats with different eyes is no different from caring for any other domestic cat, but the price for such animals can be exorbitant. Especially if the animal belongs to the Turkish Van, Kao-mani or Turkish Angora breed.
Are cats with different eyes deaf or not and why?
Deafness in white cats with different eyes is genetic. It is determined by the dominant allele of the gene. This connection was noticed by Darwin.
Cats with different mystic eyes, signs, magical properties
Cats. Many folk signs, rituals and fortune telling are associated with them. These animals are equally deified and considered the offspring of the devil.
Thus, an ordinary black cat in Great Britain is considered a symbol of good luck, but here “they say it will be unlucky if a black cat crosses the road.”
Also cats with different eyes. In some nations, these cats are shunned (even to the point of physical harm), while in others they are revered and cherished, believing that such unusual creatures can bring prosperity and happiness to the home.
Be that as it may, looking straight into a cat's eyes is not recommended. An animal may perceive such a look as a challenge and rush at a person.
Dream Interpretation: dream of a cat with different eyes, what does this mean
In most cases, a dream about cats is interpreted as an unfavorable sign, warning of intrigues and betrayal. However, if the cat in the dream had different eyes, then the dreamer will be able to learn a positive lesson from an unpleasant situation for him.
Cat with different eyes character
Most owners of cats with different eye colors note the unpredictability in the character of their pets. However, if you properly raise the adopted animal, then no special incidents will arise. These are the same cats who love affection and respond in kind to love from humans.
It has long been believed that cats with different eyes bring good luck to their owners. Scientists have debated for years what accounts for this unique and sometimes downright frightening sight. Some claimed that it was a genetic mutation, others were sure that it was some kind of disease. Today we will try to understand the reasons for this phenomenon and find out what breeds of cats it is inherent in.
Features of vision in cats with huge eyes
The special structure of the eye makes cats with huge eyes stand out among other predatory mammals. Big-eyed cat breeds are the peak of perfection. Thanks to their huge visual organ, they have a visual angle of 170-185 degrees, when in cats with normal eyes this angle is 160-169 degrees, but this is not small! In dogs, the field of vision is almost 2 times smaller.
The cutest big-eyed cats
Thanks to selection and random mutations, cats with big eyes exist not only in cartoons, but also in the real world. Many cats can boast an expressive look, but only some representatives of the whiskers have truly huge eyes. We invite you to meet the most big-eyed cats on the planet who have conquered the Internet:
Coby cat
- 1 place.
Cobby The black sheep of the cat world - this is how one can characterize the British Shorthaired Chinchilla. All representatives of the breed have a bluish-gray coat color, but Cobby is special. Snow-white fur combines effectively with huge sky-blue eyes. The black edging around the eyes gives incredible expressiveness to the look. Cobby has his own page on Facebook and Instagram. - 2nd place.
Gimo A rising Instagram star who is often compared to the Cheshire cat. Indeed, these cats have a lot in common! No matter what this cute cat with big eyes does, it is impossible to resist his hypnotic gaze of yellow eyes. Today Gimo has more than 160 thousand subscribers.
Snoopy the Cat
- 3rd place.
Snoopy Short-haired exotic cat Snoopy, one of the cutest cats with huge eyes. Snoopy is one of the most popular felines, with over a million subscribers! An innocent and even a little wise look perfectly complements the natural sense of smell. Many people who are poorly versed in felinology call representatives of short-haired exotics the “Snuppy breed.” - 4th place.
Cat Herman A very unusual big-eyed cat. Cat lovers have been arguing about Herman's mercy for a long time. Someone writes: “A cat like this can only scare people at night,” others believe that the cat is constantly surprised and frightened, while others dream of having such a pet nearby. Looking at Herman’s photos on Instagram, it’s hard to argue that he is unique. The cat has a distinct personality. His channel has more than 21.1 thousand subscribers.
What is the reason for this anomaly?
Let us say right away that this unique phenomenon occurs not only in cats, but also in other animals, and even in humans. It has a scientific basis and is known as heterochromia. The cause of differences in the color of the irises is considered to be a deficiency of melanin or its presence in the body in abnormally large quantities. The color of the irises depends on the concentration of this substance and the characteristics of its distribution. In other words, the eye affected by heterochromia has undergone hyper- or hypopigmentation.
Most often in nature there are cats with different eyes; the breed of the animal does not play a special role in this matter. Heterochromia can be complete or partial. In the first case, one eye of the animal is blue, and the other is golden, green, yellow or orange.
And so it happens: two cats merge into one
There is another reason why a cat may have an extravagant color (like the two-faced cat Venus, for example) or eyes of different colors.
A rare phenomenon: a cat of a normal color with heterochromia
Cats are prolific animals. It occasionally happens that two fertilized eggs, instead of quietly and peacefully attaching to the wall of the uterus and developing further, merge into one. This results in one healthy, viable kitten, but with a double set of chromosomes. This phenomenon is called chimerism.
The fusion of embryos sounds quite creepy, but in fact, such animals live peacefully, bear offspring, and no one even suspects what an unusual creature they have sheltered at home. A cat cannot be considered a chimera only on the basis of a strange color; confirmation requires genetic tests (which no one is in a hurry to perform).
This cat's different colored eyes may be the result of an eye injury.
Mosaicism can also occur in cats - areas of cells with differences in DNA resulting from mutation. Mosaicism is often “to blame” for the appearance of areas of fur of “impossible color,” partial heterochromia of the eyes, and complete heterochromia in tortoiseshell and colored cats. The difference between a mosaic and a chimera is that mosaic mutations occurred on the basis of their own cells, while a chimera has two complete and different sets of chromosomes that have not undergone mutation.
It makes sense to suspect such deviations if the cat has eyes of different colors, but none of them are blue. For example, one is yellow or orange, the other is green. Also interesting are the variants of heterochromia in completely colored cats - this is much less common than in white animals, but it still happens!
Can heterochromia be called a disease?
Let’s make a reservation right away that cats with different eyes are not considered sick, since this phenomenon does not affect the animals’ vision. This anomaly is often found in white and tri-colored individuals, as well as in those who have suffered a serious illness at one time.
Experts distinguish between acquired and congenital heterochromia. The first occurs due to long-term use of certain medications. The second is due solely to hereditary factors.
White cat with different eyes
The breed of animal does not affect the appearance of heterochromia in any way. In the case of white individuals, this anomaly is due to the presence of a very dangerous dominant White gene. In its homozygous form, it often causes the death of unborn cubs.
Another feature associated with white coat color is that under its influence significant changes in the organs of vision and hearing can occur. In addition, it has a strong effect on the formation of the rudiments of the cat's nervous system.
Does this affect the pet's health?
Eye color does not affect a cat's vision in any way. But if different eyes appeared under the influence of a dominant white gene, the cat may have hearing problems. The fact is that the W gene inhibits the migration of melanoblast cells not only into the iris, but also into the inner ear, disrupting the development of this organ.
This cat may be deaf in her left ear.
This is why white cats sometimes suffer from congenital deafness. Most often, the problem concerns blue-eyed animals (the effect of the gene is most pronounced), but contrary to popular belief, a white cat with colored eyes can also be deaf. If one eye is colored and the other is blue, then the cat may be deaf on the side of the blue eye, but can hear normally in the other ear. In this case, the owner is unlikely to notice any problem, and the cat’s hearing can only be checked using special tests under anesthesia in a veterinary clinic.
Pure white Maine Coon with heterochromia - possible deafness in the right ear
Deaf cats must be strictly rejected and are not allowed for breeding - this applies to any breed. In addition, you should not cross two white, blue-eyed individuals with each other, even if both the cat and the cat hear perfectly.
Van cats with different eyes
The breed was developed completely by accident. These semi-long-haired animals have a strong, elongated body with an excellently developed chest and a rectangular back, slightly tapering towards the tail. A characteristic feature of adult individuals is their strong limbs. Moreover, the rear ones are slightly shorter than the front ones.
These beautiful graceful cats with different eyes weigh from four and a half to nine kilograms. Males are distinguished by more powerful bones and large sizes. Individuals who have reached the age of three are considered sexually mature. Representatives of this breed are very sociable. They are able to express their own emotions and needs. Despite the fact that these animals are attached to all family members, they single out one owner for themselves.
Turkish Angora
These small animals, distinguished by small bones, have an elegant elongated body with rounded ribs. The average weight of an adult is about five kilograms.
Among the representatives of this breed there are also cats with different eyes. The wedge-shaped head of the animal is decorated with large erect ears covered with soft hair. The body of the Turkish Angora is covered with silky hair that is white, cream, black, blue or red. Individuals of the Himalayan, lilac and chocolate colors are not allowed for breeding.
White Angora cats with different eye colors are especially popular. They are usually sold at a higher price. Individuals purchased from a professional nursery do not have hereditary diseases and can live for at least eighteen years.
The basis of the Turkish Angora's diet should be special super-premium food. Coat care boils down to regular brushing with a brush. It is enough to repeat this procedure once a week. Representatives of this breed also require regular ear cleaning, nail trimming, and eye rubbing.
These rather playful cats have an active temperament. They love physical activity and love to be the center of attention. To prevent your pet from getting bored during your long absence, it is advisable to purchase a scratching post, special exercise equipment, interactive toys and other accessories that allow the animal to splash out its accumulated energy. In addition, the Turkish Angora is highly trainable. She is so smart that she is quite capable of mastering several not too difficult tricks.
White color is always symbolized with something pure, light and immaculate. Therefore, cats that have this color always look gallant or royal. Moreover, their often pink nose, inner ear and pads add cuteness against such a clean background.
It is impossible not to notice if a white cat has multi-colored eyes. In this article we will discuss what breeds of just such cats there are, and how they differ.
