Ojos Azules Cat: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

The Ojos Azules is a new breed of cat that was first bred in 1984 when a group of cat enthusiasts traveled around New Mexico and the USA to find a new specimen from the cat populations that had a shade of bright blue eyes and patches of colored fur. This cat breed does not come in a solid coloration, and the blue eyes are the most mesmerizing aspect of this cat breed’s features. The intensity of the Ojos Azules blue eyes varies in color depending on the polygenetic variations.

In 1992 there were only 10 documented specimens of this cat breed and an unknown number since. This is a rare breed of cat, so if you are lucky enough to own one, then this article will give you all the information you need to know on the uncommon Ojos Azules cat.

Ojos Azules Kittens

Due to the Ojos Azules cat being extremely rare and uncommon, you are most likely to come across this cat breed from breeders who know how to work with the blue eye gene mutation. The price of these kittens can be quite high due to their rarity.

You might even be able to come across this cat breed in a shelter, although it is quite uncommon. Before purchasing an Ojos Azules from a breeder, you will need to make sure that the breeder is knowledgeable and knows how to produce quality and healthy kittens that have good genes.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Ojos Azules Cat

1. The Ojos Azules Is a Very Rare Breed Of Cat

The Ojos Azules cat is not only a new breed of cat, but it is quite rare to own one too. These cats have complicated genetics when it comes to properly breeding the bright blue eye gene with a tortoiseshell coloring. It takes skill to breed an Ojos Azules cat and there are few ethical Ojos Azules cat breeders.

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2. Only Half Of a Litter Will Have Blue Eyes

If you were to breed two Ojos Azules together, you would end up with kittens that either have cranial deformities or are stillborn. Breeders need to cross an Ojos Azules cat with another cat that does not have blue eyes for a healthy litter to be born. This means that some kittens in the litter will not have blue eyes. There is also the issue with breeding these cats and an increased link to cranial birth defects.

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3.  They Have a Flat Tail Tip

Aside from its mesmerizing bright blue eye color, the Ojos Azules cat has a flattened tail tip that makes them stand out.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Ojos Azules Cat

There is very little known about the exact temperament of an Ojos Azules cat because they are so rare, but owners who have this cat breed will describe them as a highly intelligent cat breed that is playful, affectionate, and loyal. They are also quite gentle cats that can be rough when it comes to playtime.

You may also find that this cat breed is quite active and requires plenty of toys and stimulation to help keep their minds and bodies active if you want to reduce unwanted boredom-related behavioral issues.

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

Due to the Ojos Azules being described as gentle and affectionate, they make a good family-orientated pet. They can also be kept in the same household as children or make a calming companion for a senior family member. They are also easy to care for if you provide them with the right diet, plenty of care, and the necessary veterinarian visits. This cat is not known to be aggressive or to not get along with children, but like all cat breeds, you should always teach your children how to properly handle the cat to avoid the cat from lashing out from being provoked.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

The Ojos Azules cat breed can get along with other dogs and cats if they have been properly introduced to one another. Your cat’s likeliness to get along with other cats and pets in the household will be influenced by their personality and previous experiences with other animals.

If you plan to keep your Ojos Azules with other small pets like birds, hamsters, or guinea pigs, it is important to ensure that they are kept in a secured cage in a sealed-off area from your cat because like all cats, the Ojos Azules is a natural predator.

Things to Know When Owning an Ojos Azules Cat:

Food & Diet Requirements 🐡

Providing your Ojos Azules with a healthy and balanced diet is essential for their health and longevity. The type of diet you provide this cat breed with will depend on their age, lifestyle, and whether they have any health conditions. It is important to discuss your Ojos Azules diet with your cat’s veterinarian so that you can ensure they are getting the right amount of nutrients and calories they need to stay healthy.

Your Ojos Azules should receive a diet high in meat-based protein because they are obligate carnivores, which means that your cat will function best from a diet of animal origin, alongside other essential nutrients such as thiamin, cobalamin, and niacin.

Exercise 🐈

The Ojos Azules cat is an active cat that needs plenty of toys and interactive games to keep their minds stimulated. Toys and games can also help your Ojos Azules release energy to keep them fit and healthy. The amount of exercise this cat breed needs will depend on their age, weight, and health, but most Ojos Azules are not very demanding when it comes to exercise. You might observe that this cat breed likes to climb, scratch, or explore its environment.

Training🧶

Ojos Azules cats can be trained to use the litter box and learn other simple tricks by using positive reinforcement. This means that by allowing your cat to associate the behaviors they must use to do a certain activity such as using the litter box, you need to make sure they associate it with something positive. You can use healthy treats to reward your cat during the training process, or you can praise them so they start to learn that they are doing something good.

Some cats will take longer to train than others, and it might be easier for a kitten to be trained than an older cat who has already learned certain behaviors as they were growing up.

Grooming ✂️

The Ojos Azules cat breed has a short coat and does not require a lot of brushing and their coat is naturally soft, short, and silky. They can be groomed once a month, along with bathing and nail trimming. You can choose to groom your Ojos Azules at home or take them to a pet groomer when necessary.

It is best to leave the nail trimming to the professionals, and most veterinarians will also give your cat a nail trim upon visitation.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Most health issues your Ojos Azules is prone to will be inherited conditions such as a cranial deformity or mutations due to bad breeding practices. However, they can also suffer from the same health conditions as many other cats. Since this is a rare breed, not much is known about their common health problems aside from the genetic problems caused by breeding two Ojos Azules together, which will be present from birth.

Male vs Female

Both male and female Ojos Azules look quite similar, however, males are considered to have a slenderer appearance and be slightly larger than females with longer legs, whereas females are usually more round in appearance. Both male and female Ojos Azules have the same temperament and the main differences between the health conditions of the two genders will depend on whether they are spayed or neutered.

Conclusion

The rare and beautiful Ojos Azules with their strikingly blue eyes can make a great breed of cat for families. Most owners are pleased with the general temperament of these gentle cats, but it makes it uncommon to come across these cats, especially with such bad breeding practices.

The number of Ojos Azules cats available on the market or in shelters is much lower than other cat breeds, so it might take a while for you to find a healthy and well-bred Ojos Azules to add to your home, but you won’t be disappointed by what this cat breed has to offer!

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Featured Image Credit: Irene Miller, Shutterstock