A rare breed of the cat family that arose naturally - the Altai blue-eyed cat or Ojos Azules. A feature inherent to these animals is the rich blue tint of their eyes. It goes better not with the point coloring, as is found in nature, but with the appearance of a simple pet, which has grayish-brown stripes and stains. The cat is distinguished by its good disposition, playfulness, and is not fussy in its maintenance and care.
Description and appearance
Veterinarians note that the Himalayan color and mixed breed are not acceptable in a natural pet of this breed.
The Altai blue-eye has an average body size, weighing 4-6 kilograms. There is a specific breed standard, presented in table form:
| Body parts | Peculiarities |
| Torso | Strong and muscular |
| Rectangular in shape and naturally flexible | |
| Limbs | Rounded paws of medium length |
| Head | Triangular |
| Strong cheekbones protrude forward | |
| Nose | Neat, small |
| The line to the forehead is concave | |
| Ears | Small, rounded at the ends |
| Located widely on the head | |
| Eyes | Slanted, almond shaped |
| According to the standard, they should be blue, but heterochromia occasionally occurs, when one eye is different in color and ranges from copper to green. | |
| Tail | Long with pointed tip |
| The size corresponds to the body | |
| Wool | Thick dense undercoat |
| It can be long-haired or short-haired, but the coat is always silky and soft to the touch. | |
| With a slight shine | |
| Coloring | Options for ticking and solid tones with the presence of a snow-white shade are allowed |
How to choose a kitten of the Thai cat breed
When thinking about buying a kitten, you should decide what kind of Thai cat you need: a truly purebred one that matches the description of the breed and character, or one that is similar in appearance. The Thai cat is not the most popular breed, but it is very common. There are many nurseries, but there are even more would-be breeders who decided to “recapture” the cost of their Thai dogs (not always of high quality, and sometimes of dubious origin) or to earn a little money. Thanks to this, the number of “thoroughbred Thais” at a very attractive price is growing.
The only sign that a kitten belongs to the breed is the metric or pedigree! No “purebred undocumented parents”, “similar” or “very similar” are breed characteristics.
It is better to pick up the baby in person. In this case, it will be possible to evaluate the living conditions of the children, observe them at home, and see their parents. Little kittens are born completely white, by 1.5 months they begin to show a point color, which is finally formed by 2 years. A healthy Thai cat kitten is an energetic, nimble animal with an even tail, without thickening or creases, outwardly healthy with clean ears and eyes. Not aggressive, not timid, and no less inquisitive than an adult animal. A good breeder will never give away a kitten younger than 2.5 months without vaccination.
At this age, little Thais should be accustomed to scratching posts, litter boxes and people.
Price
The cost of kittens varies widely. The cheapest: pet-class babies (not for exhibitions and breeding) cost an average of 25,000 rubles. Promising kittens for exhibitions or breeding usually cost from 35,000 rubles. Also on sale you can sometimes find adult Thais bred from breeding and, of course, kittens without documents of origin, similar to Thais, at a price of up to 5,000 rubles.
Character traits
The pet always gets along very well with the owner and takes into account his mood.
The Altai cat will immediately become a friend to the owners who accepted it into the family. She will not bother you over trifles, but she will definitely come to play with pleasure if she feels favored by the owners. This breed of cat loves small children, plays with them, and can lie down to rest next to a sleeping baby. These pets happily participate in outdoor games with kids. Blue-eyed cats are considered lovers of sleep.
It is imperative to pay attention to how conversations are conducted with the animal, since they are very touchy by nature. This breed of cat needs personal space. They are uncomfortable, scared and uncomfortable on the street. The most suitable place to keep blue-eyes is an apartment. Animals are inquisitive, so they will always notice any changes in the decor of the house and will study new items for a long time. This also applies to new people in the room, guests, neighbors. A cat loves to be admired, talked to, and shown tenderness and care towards her.
Origin story
Thai cats were the favorites of kings in ancient times. In addition, they were considered a kind of “guards” of the monasteries, and as a reward for their devotion, as legend says, they were endowed with blue eyes the color of a clear sky. The heroes of the tales, the Thais, were descendants of the elusive cats of ancient Ayutthaya, the historical capital of Thailand. They protected monasteries and temples, as well as master's houses from evil spirits, so animals were deified and treated with respect. Specific historical information about the Thais has not been preserved. This is perhaps the most ancient breed, the origin of which is shrouded in mystery.
Thai cats, known for their affectionate obedience and ability to sincerely love a person, have long attracted the interest of breeders. Anyone who has ever adopted a Thai cat is unlikely to choose a cat of a different breed in the future. They settle so firmly in the heart.
The homeland of Thai cats, not surprisingly, is Thailand.
The earliest mentions of cats similar in appearance to the Thai date back to the fourteenth century. The first specimens of Thai cats were brought to Europe in 1870, when Europeans became interested in such an exquisite breed. There is an opinion that the king of Siam gave the cat Pho and the cat Mia (the first Thai cats) to the British general Owen Gould, who brought them to Great Britain, thereby laying the foundation for a new breed.
In the 20s of the twentieth century, cats came from Great Britain to America. The fashion for Thai cats reached Russia in the mid-60s of the twentieth century.
Video about the Thai cat breed (Traditional Siamese cat):
Origin
A feature that is inherent in this breed of cats is a rare, unique eye color that is always blue. American breeders noticed these animals and began to breed and improve the species of the cat family. Phenology specialists registered the first kittens with blue eyes in the United States of America in 1990, and at the same time approved the official status and standard.
Pets of this breed are very popular in New Zealand.
The very first blue-eye was named Conflow, which had a tortoiseshell coloration. The combination of black, red and snow-white shades made the cat unusual and unique. The animal's eyes had a rich blue color and were striking in beauty. In the places of origin of the Ojos Azules breed, such cats are praised and now, however, other countries are skeptical. Blue-eyed representatives can be found in New Zealand, but they never became a separate species.
Cats living in the Russian Federation in Altai are classified into a specific breed. Russian feminologists call her the Altai blue-eyed cat.
TOP 11 cat breeds with blue eyes
The kitten is born with a blue cornea, but it changes between the fourth and twelfth weeks. Unique breeds that do not have this cost a lot of money, have their own temperament and require special care.
Ojos Azules
A distinctive feature is the sky-tone eyes. Otherwise, they are no different in appearance from their relatives. Animals grow to medium size and have a strong build. Their skull shape is triangular and their eyes are almond-shaped.
Their temperament is calm and balanced. Adaptable to any environment. However, they do not like noise, as they are sensitive to sounds.
Unpretentious in content. They eat everything they give. But to keep them looking good, a balanced diet is recommended, as well as grooming.
More photos of the Ojos Azules breed:
You cannot mate them with other breeds with blue eyes: the kittens will be born dead.
Balinese (Balinese)
Grows small in size. It is distinguished by elongated ears and bright eyes. The semi-long-haired individual has a Siamese coloring. It has a slender build with long legs, is hardy and energetic.
Has a friendly and sociable character.
Suitable for families with children. She is devoted to her owners and follows them everywhere.
He loves walks, games, and allows you to put a leash on him. He has Siamese roots and does not tolerate rough upbringing and loneliness.
More photos of the breed:
Burmese
This is the result of crossing the Persian and Siamese breeds.
They are born snow-white, and as they grow up they become similar to Balinese cats. Their limbs are white. They grow to medium size. Long-haired, but do not require special care due to the hard undercoat.
They have a calm character. They don’t bother their owners when they see that they have no time for them. They love attention, when they are picked up, caressed, and praised.
Always knows when to stop eating.
More photos of the breed:
Himalayan
It is a subspecies of the Persian breed. The coat is light, but with a Siamese coloring: the limbs, tail, muzzle, ears are dark brown. The body is stocky with long hair, the legs are short.
The pet is attached to the owner, he follows him everywhere, and cannot stand loneliness. The breed is more active compared to Persians.
The cat loves to play and sit in your arms. She has a patient disposition. The fur and face of the animal must be carefully looked after.
The pet loves water, so you can bathe it regularly.
More photos of the breed:
Foreign white: white oriental
Ideally, the breed has snow-white fur and two blue eyes. If this is not the case, breeders will not allow the animal to reproduce.
This cat has a long, elegant body with short, silky hair. The breed has large ears and paws with long claws.
His temperament is flexible and sociable. He loves to play, is energetic, and does not recognize loneliness.
Not suitable for busy people who will not be able to devote much time to their pet.
The fur of the forint needs to be looked after and its claws trimmed. A cat needs a balanced diet. She loves warmth and should be kept in comfortable conditions.
Photos of the breed:
Ragdoll
It grows large, weighing up to nine kilograms. The breed is calm and prefers to lie in one place all day.
The Ragdoll is a crossbreed that can only be distinguished by its lazy disposition. The cat is not a conflict cat and gets along with any animals.
Tolerant of pain, loves attention and affection. Must be kept in a quiet environment. The cat is quiet; if it speaks, it is in a gentle and melodic tone.
More photos of the breed:
Siamese
The breed is easy to distinguish from others due to its color: dark muzzle, paws, tail, ears, stripe on the back. Has almond-shaped, piercing blue eyes. The ears and tail are elongated.
Animals have a complex character: they are stubborn, touchy, selfish. They are jealous of their owner for everything around them.
They calmly endure loneliness, but if you give them time after that.
Siamese cats do not tolerate children well. They can't stand their pranks. The animal is vindictive and does not tolerate aggression, quarrels, scandals, or punishment. Love and mutual understanding in the home are the best conditions for keeping a pet.
Photo of the breed:
Snow shu
It is a subspecies of the Siamese breed. Only larger, distinguished by white paws, a V-shaped mark on the muzzle, and a more patient disposition.
The cat is curious and prefers to be at a height in order to see everything better.
Gets along with children and other pets. Loves games and swimming.
Thai
A subspecies of the Siamese cat. The animal is very attached to its owner. He learns commands and allows him to wear a leash. Suits in any conditions. Loves to play without releasing his claws.
The breed is suitable for families with children. In terms of devotion, it can be compared to dogs. This breed lives a long time. At the same time, it requires minimal care. Eats everything they give.
However, it is better to limit the animal’s consumption of liver and seafood: they spoil the coat color.
Turkish Angora
A true Turkish Angora should be snow-white with heavenly eyes. However, there are many subspecies with different colors. In Turkey, this breed is a treasure.
The animal is medium in size with elongated ears and has a slender body. The disadvantage of the breed is possible deafness. Because of this, the pet is wary and stubborn.
The Turkish Angora is very inquisitive and intelligent. She is easy to train. However, if the animal does not want to, you cannot force it to do something.
Javanese
A cross between the Siamese and Abyssinian breeds. If it is white in color, then the eyes should be blue. The rest of the colors have different shades of the cornea. The pet has long fur and thin hair.
Maintenance and care
It is easy to care for the coat of such animals; it is enough to thoroughly comb it weekly with a special brush. It is not recommended to bathe the blue-eye often - 1-2 times a month will be enough. Bathing is carried out using cat shampoo and conditioner, and then wipe the pet dry with a warm terry towel and do not let it out into drafts. Eyes and ears should be washed as they become dirty with cotton pads soaked in warm water, or the ears should be treated with a soft cloth. The use of cotton swabs to clean ears is strictly prohibited, so as not to harm the animal.
Pay special attention to the animal’s mood, as it is characterized by a touchy character. Because of this feature, a cat may fall into a prolonged depression and refuse to walk, eat or drink. The right way to get rid of an animal’s depressed state is to give it maximum attention, provide it with care, affection and love. In your free time, you should try to keep your cat busy with active games as much as possible.
Who are Thai cats suitable for?
The breed will be an excellent choice for both single people and large families with children. The main thing is that the cat is given enough attention - without it he will be bored and mischievous. For such pets, the presence of other cats in the house will not be a disadvantage.
Thai cats are not suitable for workaholics and busy people who are often not at home. Communication with their beloved owner is very important for these pets. It will be especially bad for your cat if you are often sent on business trips.
Do not take such a cat if there are already birds or rodents living at home - the cat will view them as prey, and the acquaintance may end in tragedy. Also, Thai cats are not recommended for allergy sufferers: it is better to look for a hairless cat. It is possible that you will get used to your pet, but no one can guarantee this.
