Cats With Two Different Eye Colors: Vet-Reviewed Causes & Concerns
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All cats have beautiful eyes, and most have the same-colored eyes, but not all of them. Cats that have two different eye colors give them a unique look that usually catches people’s attention at first glance. So, why do most cats have one eye color while some have two different colored eyes? Is the condition something to marvel or worry about? Do two different colored eyes affect a cat’s vision?
Cats with two different eye colors are not unhealthy and can see normally. Find out more about cats with two different eye colors in this article.
What Causes the Two Different Eye Colors?
Heterochromia is the medical term for cats that have two different colored eyes. It is a condition not limited to cats and can affect many animals, including humans. The color of a cat’s eyes is determined by the amount of melanin present in the iris. The more melanin that is present, the darker the color of the iris.
Cats with blue eyes have no melanin in the stroma, the thickest part of the iris and the one that determines eye color. Cats with heterochromia can have different amounts of melanin in each eye, or they may even have greater and lesser concentrations of melanin in different parts of the iris of the same eye.
A cat with heterochromia gets their eye color through genetics, but injuries, infections, tumors, and other eye health problems can also cause the condition to develop. Almost all cats with two different eye colors are white or have white markings or patches on their bodies. However, this is not always the case. Even a black cat can end up with two different colored eyes by the time they’re an adult.
What About Cats With Two Different Colors in the Same Eye?
Although rare, some cats may have two different colors in the same eye, referred to as sectoral heterochromia. This situation happens when the iris has different amounts of pigment in different areas. The condition does not involve any vision problems or affects cats’ health in any way.
Is Heterochromia Dangerous?
Luckily, heterochromia is not a danger to cats affected by it. That being said, a high percentage of white cats with one (or two) blue eyes are at higher risk of suffering from deafness present at birth (congenital).
However, if your cat’s eyes suddenly change color once they have acquired their permanent color, the situation is different. This is usually indicative of a serious eye disease, and you should visit your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Can Cats With Two Eye Colors See Okay?
When it comes to eyesight, cats with heterochromia have no disadvantages. They can see just as well as any other cat. They do not experience any difference in color variations, depth perception, or clarity than a healthy cat with two of the same-colored eyes might. This is not to say that they may not suffer from health problems if not cared for properly. Poor nutrition, lack of veterinary care, and poor environmental enrichment all play a role in a cat’s health, no matter their eye color.
Last Thoughts
Cats with heterochromia are cool-looking, but they are not different from any other cat regarding their biology and health. There is no need to treat them differently, feed them differently, or take them to the vet more often. Affected cats can live just as long and happy lives as their same eye-colored counterparts. Do you have a cat with two different eye colors? If so, what colors are they, and has their condition proven to affect their life at all? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in our comments section below.
See also:
- Cat Eye Discharge: Understanding What is Normal (Vet Answer)
- 15 Black and White Cat Breeds: Info & Traits (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: didsss, Pixabay
