The kitten is born with its eyes closed, but after just seven days it will begin to open them little by little, until they are completely open around twelve days of life. After the opening process, we will see that it has, in most cases, blue eyes, but in other furry ones they can be darker. But the evolution does not end here, but will continue until the child's eyes acquire the final color.
Let's see how is the process of color change in the cat's eyes.
Evolution of the color in the cat's eyes
During the first four months of age the kitten's eyes will go through different phases, as you will discover below:
1 to 2 weeks
These days is when the eyelids open for the first time to reveal beautiful blue or gray eyes. They do not open completely until 12 days or so, a moment that will be, surely, highly anticipated by the whole family.
2 to 4 weeks
From the 15 days the kitten already start to see, but in a very blurry way. Your eyes are still developing, and it will not be until three and a half weeks that you begin to stare for moments. But you still won't be able to avoid the obstacles.
The bluish or gray color of the eyes becomes much more intense during these days.
From 1 to 4 months
In these months the eyes will acquire the final color, which can be ocher, orange, yellow or brown. In addition, after about two months you will be able to fix your gaze, so you will stop walking taking insecure steps as you did until now
What happens if the color changes suddenly?
If your cat's eye color has changed in a matter of a few days, you must urgently take him to the vet as it could be a symptom of hepatitis, brain damage or blindness.
Why do cats have the color of their eyes?
Like any other animal, a cat's eye color is determined by genetics. Different genes mean different levels of melanin, the amino acid that controls pigment in the eyes, skin, and coat. Melanin comes from melanocytes, the number of which determines the color of the cat's eyes. Wild cats in temperate regions such as bobcats and bobcats often have hazel eyes.
It is very common for wild cats to also have hazel eyes. However, the color of the eyes of domestic cats can vary. The more melanin your cat has, the darker his skin and eyes will be. However, you must remember that melanin affects the coat differently than the eyes. This means that a dark haired cat can have light eyes and vice versa.
Eye color is rarely connected to skin color
While pedigree black cats tend to have striking orange eyes and white cats tend to have blue eyes, there is very little to connect coat color to eye color. However, there are some breed specific colors. Russian blues always have green eyes where Siamese cats always have blue eyes. The black-tipped chinchilla cat will have eyes in a deep turquoise color. Purebred cats tend to have more intensely colored eyes.
What does it mean for your cat's eye color to change color?
The eyes are said to be the window to the soul, and that's especially true when it comes to the beautiful eyes of our feline friends. But did you know that your cat's eyes can also be a window to his health? Changes in a cat's eye color can be an indicator of a potentially serious health problem.
What is the normal cat eye color?
Normal cat eyes cover a range of different colors. Most kittens are born with blue eyes. Between the ages of three to eight weeks, kittens' eyes begin to change to colors ranging from green, yellow, and orange to amber, copper, and brown. This color change is usually complete by the time a kitten is three months old.
Weird cat eye colors
Some cats have different colored eyes, also known as heterochromia. This is not unusual, and is seen most often in white cats, but can be seen in any cat that carries the gene for white spots, which is the same gene that creates a white glow on the face, a white bib, a pattern in tuxedos or spotted legs. Cats with blue eyes have a higher rate of hearing problems, especially if they have white fur, but not all blue or white eyed cats will be deaf.
Changes in eye color in adult cats
Changes in eye color are often a sign of infection, but they can be a sign of more serious health problems. Next we are going to comment on this so that you take it into account:
Uveitis
La uveitis It is the inflammation of the uveal tract of the eye, which consists of the iris, the ciliary body and the choroid. It can be an isolated eye problem, but most often, it is a symptom of a number of other conditions, including:
- Trauma to the eye
- Bacterial or fungal infection
- Viral illness such as feline herpes, FeLV, FIV, or FIP
- Metastatic tumors
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
Symptoms include red eyes, cloudy eyes, sensitivity to light, squinting, eye rubbing, and bulging of the third eye lid.. If you notice any of these symptoms, your vet should see your cat as soon as possible.
Glaucoma
El glaucoma is a condition of increased pressure in the eye, which will cause vision loss if left untreated. Typical symptoms are a cloudy, white, and milky color. Glaucoma can also be a cause of uveitis.
Portosystemic shunt of the liver
While copper-colored eyes are normal in some cats and are even highly desired by some breeders, they can also be an indicator of a portosystemic shunt or liver shunt.. It can be a congenital condition or it can be acquired later in life.
Not all cats with liver shunts have copper-colored eyes. Sudden changes in eye color require immediate veterinary attention. Changes in eye color in adult cats are always a cause for concern. If your cat's eye color changes suddenly or over a period of time, see your vet as soon as possible.
Curiosities of a cat's eyes
A cat's eyes can be as bright as jewelry and different colors. Like jewelry, they are also very valuable. While a cat's vision may not be able to see the fine details or vivid colors that a human can perceive, they are well suited for night vision. A cat only needs one sixth the amount of light humans need to see. While they cannot see in total darkness, they can adapt to low light conditions better than humans.
The brightness of a cat's eye is due to a part of the cat's retina known as the tapetum lucidum. Amplifies the light, allowing the cat to see better in low light conditions. Compared to humans, cats are a bit myopic and see colors as duller. However, along with better night vision and the ability to see ultraviolet light, the cat can also see fast moving objects better than a human. This could explain why your cat is more likely to eat a treat if you throw it across the room than if you put it at your feet.
The color of the eyes of cats, as we have mentioned above, is due to the presence of melanin, which is the result of genetics. While coat color has little to do with eye color, the breed certainly can. Cat eyes can come in a variety of colors. Kittens are born blind. The eye is bluish when it begins to develop, gradually turning into the final adult color by three months. The eyes can be two different colors, sometimes in the same eye! If your adult cat's eyes suddenly change color or appearance, medical intervention will be necessary.
The eyes are in fact the most beautiful characteristic in a feline. Pay close attention to them and take note if you suddenly see them different one day. With care and attention, your cat could have ideal vision for the rest of his life.
Cat eyes are amazing, don't you think?
Hello. I have been feeding a small street colony for a long time, and one of the kittens, about a fortnight ago, developed a visible dark frown, and I think due to the accumulation of tearing, since it was about a centimeter from the eye and that centimeter appeared as wet from tearing The thing is that I did not give him the importance that he had, since suddenly four days ago he did not come to eat and I did not think that he was already so attacked by his disease. Yesterday he returned, and the symptoms were, drowsiness, erratic walking and lack of alertness, he had lost almost half of his weight in those three days, dirty, thick transparent drool hanging from his little mouth, difficulty breathing and pain when doing so, the two eyes this time attacked by both ends of that tearing, total lack of appetite, great thirst, and the last time I saw his little eyes, his retina had darkened considerably.
I can no longer do anything for this angel, because he has died. But I would like you to give me an idea of what has happened, and if the kittens that have been in contact with the one that are about 9, are in this serious danger.
Thanks greetings.
My Siamese kitten has green eyes but in a very slight tone, and the eyes are changing to blue, but I read that Siamese cats have to have blue eyes already at 5 months, and mine is barely like 4 millimeters of cm blue in the iris and my question would be
In this case, would I have to wait longer until they turn blue?
Or will your eyes stay like this?
A greeting.
Hello Marcela.
It may be the case that they take a little longer to acquire their final color, do not worry 🙂
He is still very young.
A greeting.
Hello, I have a calico cat
Your eyes on the day can be light green, then on the same day they can be like a greenish yellow, is that change in your eye color normal?
Hi Jhonatan.
Yes it's normal. But if you see any other symptoms, contact a vet just in case.
Greetings.
Hello, a few days ago a white kitten has been visiting me on the balcony, she is not yet an adult cat, when she has come in the day I have noticed that her eyes are light blue, but one day she came at night and her eyes were totally dark brown. Is this normal? Thanks!
Hello Veronica.
No, the change in eye color is something that takes time (months).
If she was sick, then yes it could be faster.
Greetings.
Hello, my kitten is already one year old and is a blue-eyed Siamese but one morning suddenly it had around the blue a whole green where it was white before
Hi Yesenia.
If it was overnight, it is best to see a vet.
Greetings.