A cat with eyes of different colors looks fascinating. Who would refuse such a pet, which arouses lasting interest and admiration among guests and acquaintances! People even start looking for a breed of cat with different eyes, not fully understanding the reason for such an unusual phenomenon.
I hasten to disappoint - such a breed does not exist. The good news is that kittens with different eyes can be found in any cat breed that accepts solid white or tortoiseshell.
Tricolor cat with different eyes
Author of the article: Olga Shiltsova, practicing veterinarian, author of the books “Dachshund of Fate” and “Tails of Fortune”
How is it that a cat has different colored eyes?
Different eye colors have a scientific name - heterochromia. Heterochromia occurs not only in cats, but also in dogs, horses, and even in humans (although it is a very rare occurrence in humans).
Complete heterochromia is when each eye is colored differently, and partial heterochromia is when two colors are combined in the iris of the eye. Partial heterochromia is truly rare, but a cat’s completely different eyes won’t surprise anyone.
Partial heterochromia
Partial or sectoral heterochromia
With complete heterochromia, one eye will always be blue, and the other - any color: yellow, green, orange. The secret is that blue eyes in cats are not a color at all, but its absence. That is, the color is genetically determined, but something prevented the pigment from migrating into the iris.
Complete heterochromia in a white cat
The distribution of pigment occurs while the kitten is still in the mother's womb. It is impossible to influence this process, nor can it be predicted. Therefore, breeding a “breed of cats with different eyes” is simply impossible.
White cat with heterochromia
Why does heterogeneity regularly occur in certain breeds or breeding lines? It's all white's fault! The gene for white color (it is called W - white) does not carry information about color, but simply suppresses all other colors. A snow-white cat may well give birth to colored kittens if she is secretly not white, but red or black. This white gene disrupts the flow of pigment into one eye - or both, as it turns out. That is, some kittens will have green or yellow eyes, some will have blue eyes, and some will have different ones.
Eyes of different colors are often found in white cats and cats.
Save and increase
For a hundred years now, the Ankara Zoo has been running a program to breed white Angora cats with different or blue eyes.
At the beginning of the last century, unusual Angora cats found themselves in danger of extinction: the gene for long hair was actively used in the development of new breeds, and there were catastrophically few purebred Angoras left. In 1917, Turkey decided to preserve the breed as a national treasure, and for some time local animals were even prohibited from being exported abroad.
Now other white cats with different-colored eyes are bred in the world - and the British Shorthair breed is not lagging behind in this. For example, a nursery for odd-eyed Britons operates in Rotterdam.
British cat with multi-colored eyes, Riviums cattery
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.
Beauty and deafness
Unusual beauty has a downside - many heterochromic animals have serious hearing problems.
Alas, cats with different eyes are often deaf - completely or partially. Moreover, in the latter case, the ear located on the side of the blue eye usually does not hear. The reason for this deafness is genetic, it is the result of the action of the white color gene W.
Its dominant allele blocks not only the production of color pigment, but also the development of hearing aid cells. Fortunately, breeders are resisting, and quite successfully, the spread of deafness of this kind in the population.
Cat breeds with different eyes
So, there is no blue-eyed gene, no deafness gene, no different-eyed gene. Why does the Internet persistently offer some cat breeds as “different-eyed”? These are breeds where the snow-white color is:
- is the only valid one: kao-mani;
- very common: Turkish Angora;
- combined with colored spots: Turkish van.
Angora cat with different eyes
Turkish Van cat with heterochromia
Different eyes are often found in cat breeds for which white color is only an acceptable variety, and not the main breed characteristic. Breeders have a theory that to produce kittens with heterochromia, you need to cross white animals with bicolors.
Outbred black and white cat with different eyes
Bicolor color in Russian - two-color. Such animals are also called piebald: white spots alternate with colored areas. If there are a lot of white spots, then the cat may look completely white (a speck of color can be located on the tail or on the head). This white color is caused not by the W gene, but by the white piebald spotting gene - S (spot). The S gene also disrupts the migration of melanocytes to the fur and sometimes to the eyes, but does not cause deafness. Since the spots are characterized by asymmetry, it is not surprising if one eye is colored and the other is not.
It is the spotting gene S that is responsible for the color and heterochromia of the eyes in Turkish Vans, while in Kao Mani and Angora it is the dominant gene for white color W.
A Turkish Van cat with different eyes. The piebald S gene is responsible for color
There is another pattern: if a matched couple has a kitten (or several) with different eyes in their litter, then there is a high probability that in the next litters from these parents it will be possible to consistently produce kittens with heterochromia.
Thus, eyes of different colors can be found in cats of any breed, if white or spotted color is acceptable according to the standards - Cornish Rex, Sphynx, Maine Coon, Persian and exotic cats, British cats and many others.
White Cornish Rex with heterochromia
You should not discount ordinary mongrel cats - mestizos, in which heterochromia is also common. It must be said that a kitten with different eyes sharply increases the chances of finding a home - many are ready to take such an unusual pet, even if it is of “noble” blood. It is believed that cats with different eyes bring good luck to the owner and have strong magical powers. And even if you are far from esoteric, it is impossible to deny that cats with heterochromia look very impressive and mysterious.
Mongrel cat with different eyes
One of my friends even found a “bride” for his mongrel cat in the hope of getting an odd-eyed kitten. Unfortunately, the white Dobby (one eye is yellow, the other blue) and the white blue-eyed cat gave birth to kittens with the same yellow or blue eyes. Two of them were cream-colored, two were white - and both white kittens turned out to be deaf.
Mongrel cat with different eyes
What breeds is this phenomenon typical for?
Khao Mani
We already know why cats have different eyes, now let’s look at which breeds this phenomenon is typical for. White cats look the most elegant and, as they say, royally. In addition, the pink nose and pads on the paws add special sophistication to these graceful purrs.
The domestic cat Khao Mani is a special breed that was bred in Thailand. The name of the breed is translated as “diamond eye” or “white pearl”. Previously, these cats were kept at the royal court. They were believed to bring peace and good luck to the home. Only many centuries later did they become available to ordinary people.
Cats have a small body size, a slightly elongated muzzle, and short hair. It happens that a kitten at birth has spots on its white fur. Over time, these spots disappear and it becomes completely white.
Buying such an exotic pet will not be cheap. But as a reward you will find a faithful friend, very clean. These beauties have unusual eyes: one is silver and the other is golden.
Turkish van
The animals have semi-long hair, an elongated body and strong limbs. The pussy is fluffy, very affectionate and tender. She loves to be petted by her owners. The animal literally follows on the heels of its owner. As soon as he sits down, she will immediately be in his arms and will faithfully look into his eyes to be stroked.
Pets enjoy conquering the “tops” of refrigerators and cabinets. They adore bath procedures to such an extent that they don’t mind swimming outside, even in a puddle. Pets are highly trainable. They offer their paw, follow the command “Sit!”, and bring objects in their teeth.
The pet's fur is soft and velvety. An amazingly loyal animal rewards its owners with warmth and loyalty for their care and attention. Despite the fact that they treat all family members well, they choose only one person as their owner.
The color of the cat of this breed is white. Against this background there may be red, black, blue and cream spots. Turkish Van kittens are often born with different eyes: one eye is yellow and the other is blue.
Angora cat
Another breed of cat with different eyes is the Angora. The color is white, it has multi-colored eyes. The animals are small, weighing on average about 5 kg. The head is wedge-shaped and has erect ears.
Angoras are very playful, kind and love to socialize. These temperamental pets love to be the center of attention. If the pet is left alone, then it is worth buying him a scratching post and interactive toys so that he can throw out his energy and not get bored in the absence of his owner. Murki are very smart and easy to train. It won't be difficult for them to master a few tricks.
During the shedding period, the pussy should be combed with a furminator. The purr needs to be accustomed to this procedure from childhood; the procedure is carried out once a week. If tangles form, then in the summer you can trim the beauty.
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!
What happens if you have a white cat at home?
Odd-eyed cats, as a rule, are highly valued, and if you plan to acquire such an animal, be prepared to shell out a large sum. It would also be useful to remind you that the eye color of kittens is established only by 5–6 months. If a kitten is born with heterochromia, then the different eye colors become noticeable at the age of 3–4 months. Therefore, when buying a kitten in an unreliable place and without documents, the seller’s assurances that the baby’s eyes will later become different colors may well turn out to be a deception - you will not be able to check this in advance.
What is the name of the breed of cats with different eyes and a snow-white coat? Such photos can very often be found on the Internet - most of them show off Kao Mani, Turkish Angora, Persians and some other breeds, including mestizos. Let's take a closer look at each.
Khao mani
Khao Mani cats, White Gem Cattery
The Khao Mani is a native breed of Thailand. This flexible, completely white cat with an athletic build was very popular in high society and was known as a favorite of royalty. Despite a history dating back several hundred years, the breed was registered only in 2009, and the CFA standard appeared on the official website of the Cat Fanciers Association only in 2018.
To this day, the breed is considered very rare; there are no Kao Mani nurseries in Russia yet. According to the standard, a Khao Mani cat can only be white with eyes of a bright pure color of any shade - from blue to copper, including multi-colored eyes.
By entering “Kao Mani” into the search bar, you can see a large number of photographs of the odd-eyed Kao Mani, although such cats are not very often born within the breed.
Turkish Angora
Despite the fact that a large number of different colors are recognized as the Angora standard, it is the white odd-eyed cat of the Turkish Angora breed that is considered the national treasure of Turkey - to this day, a joint program of the Turkish government and the Ankara Zoo for breeding odd-eyed white Angoras operates in this country.
The Turkish Angora is incredibly beautiful, inquisitive and playful. The semi-long snow-white coat of the Angora does not require too much grooming. Angoras with different eyes will have one eye blue and the other green, golden-green or amber.
Turkish van
Turkish Van cat, photo by Lyudmila Pankova (Tessa.lv)
This is an indigenous semi-long-haired cat breed that descends from animals that lived in the area near the Turkish Lake Van. These cats have a very characteristic unique color, which is called “Van”. At least 80% of the surface of the cat’s body should be white, and only the tail should be red-chestnut with the usual rings, and spots of the same color on the face and back near the shoulder.
The classic color of Vans is red, but black, blue, tortoiseshell and cream are also acceptable. A cat with different eyes of the Van breed is not so rare; in this case, a blue eye will be complemented by an amber one.
Oriental
Orientals are unlike any other breed, and looking at them, it is easy to wonder if they are even cats. An elongated, muscular body with long slender limbs, huge ears, a long muzzle and elongated eyes, as if squinting - this is how you can describe a typical representative of this breed.
Add to the extravagant appearance a friendly, playful character and complete intolerance of loneliness, and you will get a great companion cat.
In cats with different colored eyes of the Oriental breed, one eye will be blue and the other bright green, because this is the color that is most characteristic of it, although among other breeds the variation of blue and yellow or blue and orange/copper is more common.
The Persian cat, known since ancient times, and its close relative, the exotic cat, have much in common in their breed standards, with the possible exception of the texture and length of the coat.
Persian cat, CH PL Bagira Vivaldi Legacy
The long, thin and very fluffy coat of Persians requires very careful and competent care, while exotics sport a short, thick and plush to the touch coat. That is why exotics are called Persians for the lazy.
Exotic breed cat, Toxicate cattery
There are also differences in character - Persians are considered relatively calm and balanced creatures, although with a certain temper. And exotics are exceptionally gentle and friendly with their owner - their charming appearance fully corresponds to their flexible character.
As for odd-eyed white Persians and exotics, the standard is to pair a blue eye with an eye of a deep dark orange or copper shade.
Perhaps both of these breeds are the most popular both in Russia and throughout the world, due to their beautiful appearance, ease of care and calm, independent character.
British breed cat
And although the most common color among the British and Scots is blue, the snow-white representatives of these breeds look especially impressive. It is these cats that have eyes of different colors - blue in combination with gold or the color of dark copper.
Scottish cat, Timosha cattery
Rex cat breeds with curly fur are called. These include the Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Selkirk Rex, Ural Rex and La Permian. All these breeds have a huge variety of colors and eye colors. Among animals with a solid white color, there are individuals with multi-colored eyes, when one eye is blue and the other is yellow, gold or green of different shades.
Devon Rex cat, photo Irene McCullagh
There is an opinion that people are divided into two types: some categorically do not perceive sphinxes or treat them with bewilderment, while others cannot live without hairless cats and do not even want to think about any other “normal” representatives of the feline family. Only one thing is absolutely clear: the Sphinx will not leave anyone indifferent. The shocking appearance is complemented by a peaceful character, and sphinxes are perfectly trainable.
The Sphynx standards recognize all colors, including white, and the large lemon-shaped eyes can also be of any color. Sometimes white sphinxes have different colored eyes - blue and yellow or green.
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There is no single, specially bred breed of white cats with different eyes. Divergence of eyes occurs in British, Devon Rex, Maine Coon, Scottish and others. However, there are lucky people for whom heterochromia is most typical.
The breed is named after the Van district in Turkey. Very active and cheerful cats, quickly making contact with people and becoming tame. Their color can be not only pure white, but also tortoiseshell - have inclusions of golden, brown, gray, black. The eyes are usually different - yellow-blue. Animal fur is so soft and pleasant to the touch that the desire to stroke it arises in absolutely everyone who touches it.
Cats are extremely sociable and literally follow on the heels of their owner. Looking languidly into their eyes, they do not miss any opportunity to jump on their hands or knees. They love heights and easily climb the “tops” of refrigerators, cabinets and mezzanines. They also do not refuse to take water treatments, enjoying swimming in the bathtubs or exploring street puddles. They respond quite well to training, quickly learning commands such as “give paw”, “sit”, “fetch”, etc.
We invite you to read: Changes in color in cats: causes and correction. Manifestations of hyperpigmentation reaction. Other reasons for color changes
Another breed of white cats with different eyes. Named after the Byzantine city of Angora, from where it was later brought to Europe. With a rather elegant physique and low weight (3-4 kg), cats are distinguished by well-developed muscles and a stable immune system. The fur is long, soft and fluffy, but has virtually no undercoat.
In addition to the classic color, the beautiful Turkish dog can have cream, marbled and even black coat, but white is still considered the standard. The vulnerable point of the Angora, like other cats with different eyes, is the tendency to deafness. However, this defect is perfectly compensated by its devotion to one owner, as well as its peacefulness and tolerant attitude towards other pets (dogs, birds, rodents). They are quite picky about food, so the diet must be selected very carefully.
Khao Mani
The homeland of this breed of cats with different eyes is Thailand. Translated, Khao Mani sounds like “diamond eye” or “white pearl”. Initially, cats were kept only at the royal court, and only many centuries later did they become available to ordinary people. Although the price for representatives of the cat world still remains very high, so not everyone can afford to keep them at home.
The animals have smooth short hair, a small body size and a slightly elongated muzzle. By temperament they are sociable, friendly and affectionate. They are unpretentious in maintenance and extremely clean, so they are easy to care for. Pathologically they cannot be alone, preferring to always remain in the center of attention. They are believed to bring peace and good luck to the home.
And the last thing I would like to note that white cats have in common is their ability to be a true friend and partner for life.
If the eye becomes not even blue, but for example a reddish color, then this is most likely a bruise. In this case, you need to urgently contact a good veterinarian. This may turn out to be a simple hematoma or a burst vessel. But the diagnosis is not always so easy to make. For example, a change in eye color may indicate the growth of melanoma or some other foreign formation in the fundus or apple.
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
Divine creatures
Humanity has surrounded the image of white cats with different eyes with numerous myths, legends and signs.
According to one legend, a white, odd-eyed cat of the Van breed saved Noah’s Ark from destruction by destroying a mouse that wanted to gnaw a hole in the ship. Christians also have a legend that a white cat warmed little Jesus in the cradle. And Muslims even allow cats to enter the mosque - in memory of Muezza, the white, odd-eyed favorite of the Prophet Muhammad, who once saved him from a snake bite. And the fact that cats always land on four paws, by the way, is considered a blessing from the prophet.
Reasons for the anomaly
A congenital anomaly is not a disease; the body of an odd-eyed cat functions in the same way as that of ordinary pets. There are no changes in visual acuity. The only disorder that in some cases may occur in animals with different eye colors is poor hearing or complete deafness. Therefore, breeders of purebred cats discard such kittens and do not use them for breeding.
Heterochromia can occur in animals of any color. But most often, an abundance or deficiency of pigments occurs in pets with white, light fur, and tricolor cats. Typically, pronounced differences in eye color appear by three months of age.
Acquired heterochromia is a consequence of the use of certain medications or indicates the presence of a disease. For example, in the treatment of glaucoma, eye drops are used, the components of which activate the production of melanin. As a result, the iris takes on a darker shade. Lightening is often a sign of diseases:
- leukemia,
- melanoma,
- uevita,
- diabetes,
- neuroblastoma, etc.
Acquired heterochromia should be the reason for a visit to the veterinarian and diagnostic testing.
Types of heterochromia
Experts distinguish several types of these anomalies. The criterion by which they are classified is the distribution of shades on the iris. Heterochromia can be:
- full,
- annular,
- sectoral.
In its full form, the anomaly appears as a uniformly colored iris. For the most part, one eye has a rich blue color, the other can be yellow, orange, green, copper, etc.
With ring heterochromia, both irises have the same shade. But on one of them there is a ring-shaped area, painted in a different color. A sectoral anomaly characterizes the presence of an area with a color that does not coincide with the general shade. This phenomenon can occur in one eye or both.
In most cases, a kitten is born with impaired pigmentation of the iris. Sometimes the anomaly is acquired; a change in the color of one eye is caused by certain external reasons. There are cat breeds in which heterochromia is a genetic trait.
Breeds with red color
There are currently quite a lot of animal breeds with a similar coat color, but this color is most common among ordinary yard cats and cats.
British shorthair cat
Rarely has a red color. There are 3 varieties: Red - uniform color, no white hairs, tortoiseshell and tabby - several shades of red fade into each other. The coat is thick and very dense. Size is medium to large when mature. A very affectionate and calm breed.
Scottish lop-eared
Among the representatives of this breed there are also differences in color: cream (light red) and red marble (more saturated stripes with fancy bends in the coat).
British and Scots can be red with different coat lengths: short-haired and long-haired. The price for kittens starts from 15 thousand rubles.
Siberian
A fairly large breed of cat, weight can reach 10-12 kg, semi-long, soft hair, body with developed muscles, small tassels at the ends of the ears, like a lynx.
Red color is very rare, but the eyes will be a dark orange hue. These are very calm and balanced pets. The cost starts from 15 thousand rubles.
List of common breeds of white cats with blue eyes with photos and names
There are many breeds of cats with white fur and blue eyes. The most common varieties include the varieties below.
Khao Mani breed
The Khao Mani cat with blue eyes is short-haired and has a graceful, slender body with a developed muscular system. The ears of such animals are sharp, and the eyes seem to glow due to the unusual edging. The color of their iris is not only blue, but also yellow-green. Occasionally you can see a Kao Mani pussy with different colored eyes.
Such individuals are very hardy and physically strong, but at the same time they are distinguished by a calm disposition and friendly character. They play with children with pleasure, relate well to other animals and do not conflict with their brothers of other breeds.
In Thailand, which is the birthplace of these unusual pussies, they are considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
Scottish breed
The fur of these cute blue-eyed cats with a compact, rounded body is snow-white in color and has a bright, healthy shine. The iris of their eyes can be not only blue, but also amber-yellow.
These individuals can be recognized by their small ears pressed against their round head, as well as by their unusual voice. These pets will not meow to remind the owner of themselves, but will make squeaking sounds with their voices.
Scottish kitties have an easy-going character, they are very attached to their owners, and get along well with children and elderly family members. These individuals never show aggression towards other animals, but prefer to be indifferent-neutral.
Persian breed
This white fluffy cat with blue eyes has the following distinctive external features:
- large round body;
- wide chest and powerful back;
- short and massive legs covered with white delicate “fluff”;
- small tail.
To the touch, the fur of the Persian variety is very soft and silky, and due to this, the animal resembles a white cloud. Individuals of this breed are not distinguished by high motor activity and playfulness; this is probably one of the laziest varieties of cats. Most of all, they love to spend time on the laps of family members or napping in a warm place, curled up in a ball.
Persian cats are distinguished by their phlegmatic and easy-going disposition; they are non-aggressive, but at the same time they are quite capable of standing up for themselves.
Learn more about the beautiful and fluffy Persian cats.
Javanese breed
White Javanese cats can have blue and green irises.
This type of pet can be recognized by the following characteristics:
- smooth, but not too short fur;
- slender body on long thin legs;
- elongated strong neck;
- almond-shaped eyes;
- large triangular ears.
Such a pet will be devoted to its owner, but will require constant attention, love and care. They love to play and exercise a lot, but families with small children should avoid having Javanese kitties. The fact is that these wayward animals do not like too much when they are perceived as a toy and can give the most decisive rebuff to a naughty baby.
Turkish Angora
The most common breed of blue-eyed, white-haired cat is the Turkish Angora. The iris can also be green or amber, which is much more common.
These animals can be recognized by the following distinctive features:
- lean body with excellent muscles;
- long triangular ears;
- elongated muzzle;
- a tail of an unusual shape, vaguely reminiscent of a feather.
These cats are distinguished by their mobility and developed hunting instinct. They love to play and do not tolerate loneliness well, but at the same time they distinguish only one family member, whom they recognize as their master.
The cat will treat all other household members quite friendly, will allow itself to be stroked and held in your arms, but you should not force your communication on the animal if it wants to sleep or go about its business, as this may anger the wayward pet.
Read the full review of the Angora cat breed or Turkish Angora.
Oriental breed
These cats come in a variety of colors, including white. Their appearance is quite unusual, and therefore it will be difficult to confuse them with other breeds.
The characteristic features of Oriental cats include:
- slender and graceful body;
- elongated muzzle;
- large triangular ears;
- almond-shaped eyes;
- long thin legs.
Pussycats of this variety can be long-haired or short-haired. They are active, playful and curious, and really do not like to be alone. Just like Turkish Angoras, they choose their owner themselves and treat him with special warmth, although they do not ignore affection and attention from other family members. And also these pussies will not miss the opportunity to show off in front of the guests.
We invite you to read the full article on the Oriental cat breed.
British breed
White individuals among representatives of the British variety are quite rare.
You can determine whether an animal belongs to this breed by the following external differences:
- dense, squat body;
- developed muscular system;
- rounded muzzle;
- small ears;
- rather short tail.
Since this animal has a thick undercoat, the British cat is very soft and gentle to the touch.
The character of this pet is balanced and patient; they are very devoted to their owners, but at the same time they do not allow themselves to be offended. A kitten that looks like a toy is quite capable of reacting aggressively to oppression, so it is better not to get such an animal for those who have small children. A child can hurt the pussy, for which he will be immediately punished.
Recently, cats of this breed have gained popularity all over the world. They seem arrogant and unapproachable, however, this is only an appearance. Sphinxes are affectionate and devoted to their owners, and they are especially kind to small children.
The body of an animal of this breed can be colored in different ways, including white and pink.
The Sphinx has the following distinctive external features:
- lean, muscular body with a round tummy;
- long thin legs;
- small head;
- elongated muzzle;
- huge, almost round eyes;
- large triangular ears;
- lack of hair on the body.
Such a cat will become a devoted and good friend of a child or an elderly person, but at the same time it will require special care and increased attention.
Cat breeds that may have heterochromia
Not all cats with white fur experience this phenomenon, and its occurrence is 100% impossible to predict. Breeders tried to breed a separate breed, but they failed. Of particular value are those babies in whom heterochromia has been observed in several generations. This is possible in Turkish Vans, Angora cats and representatives of the Kao-Mani breed.
Van cat
This breed is also called "Turkish Van". It received its name from the Van district in Turkey. Cats most often have a white or tortoiseshell color (spots of red, brown, gray or black). The most common type of heterochromia is a combination of yellow and blue.
By nature, Van cats are playful and friendly. They quickly get used to the new environment and family members. Trainable, smart and resourceful. They love to hunt, so you shouldn’t be surprised if a hunter brings back prey from a walk on the street. Unlike representatives of other breeds, they are not afraid of water, but love it. They will be happy to swim in the bath.
Turkish Angora
According to experts, heterochromia is more common in Angora cats than others. White individuals are highly valued and cost more than others, but there are animals with cream, black or marbled fur.
The species is distinguished by its miniature size (an adult cat weighs up to 5 kg) and soft fur. Peace-loving and active, devoted to its owner - this is the Turkish Angora. Among the disadvantages are the need for careful care and menu selection. Such cats are whimsical eaters and need constant feeding with dietary supplements.
Thai khao mani
This breed was bred in Thailand and translated means “white pearl” or “diamond eye”. As the name suggests, these cats are predominantly snow-white in color.
Initially, they were kept at royal courts; wealthy aristocrats could afford them. Centuries have passed, now kao-mani are much more common, but they are still expensive. The breed has an affectionate and friendly character; the cats are peaceful and calm and do not require special care. They become strongly attached to their owner and cannot stand loneliness, so you can take such a baby only if you have the opportunity to pay enough attention to him.
Monument to Beauty
In Turkey, near the largest alpine lake, Van, there is a monument to white, odd-eyed cats of the Van breed.
At the entrance to the city of Van, not far from the lake of the same name, there is a monument depicting a pair of white cats with different eyes. This is very symbolic, and not only because the Turkish Van is a native breed of these places, but also because Van cats, unlike many of their counterparts, are calm about water and even swim beautifully and catch fish deftly. The Van breed has been declared a national treasure, and its image is embossed on a coin.
Heterochromia in other breeds
As an anomaly, different eye colors can appear in animals of different breeds. This phenomenon is often observed in cats:
- marble and tortoiseshell color,
- Persian,
- exotics,
- sphinxes,
- oriental,
- British, British
- Scottish,
- rex.
You can see odd-eyed cats among the yard tricolors. In most cases, different shades of the iris are formed in animals whose color white occupies more than half of the body area.
The manifestation of this feature is unpredictable and can occur in cats of any breed. There is only one condition for the formation of different colors of the iris. The animal must have a white gene that is inherited.
