Speaking of the intriguing “types of cat eyes”, these special features are so much more than arresting – they play a role in helping shape the personality of the cat! As a cat owner, you know that there is something awesomely unique about the appearance and coloring of a cat’s eyes, and knowing a bit about the incredible range of colors can help you better understand your pet and its fascinating appearance.
The colors of cat eyes range from the brilliant green of the Egyptian Mau to the piercing blue eyes of the Siamese; the “types of cat eyes” are quite varied and, from one breed to another, there may be varying degrees of rarity.
In this article we will be learning about the 8 most unusual types of cat eyes and their rarity, to expand our horizons and really see what our feline friends have to offer, in terms of beautiful eye colour.
Types of Cat Eyes: A Guide to Eye Color and Rarity
One of the most interesting things about cat eye colors is that each of these types are reflections of factors such as genetics and individual breed traits.
Though some rare cat eye colors are found in certain breeds, the same color may be more common among purebred and mixed-breed cats. In most cases, cat eye colors vary from the bright gold of a Bengal to the rich blue of a Siamese.
1. Yellow and Amber Eyes in Cats: Common Yet Striking
The majority of people, when classifying the “types of cat eyes” simply look into yellow and amber. They can be lemon yellow all the way down to rich amber.
Though these colors and shades are common to most cats, several breeds, such as the American and Bengal Shorthairs, as well as the British Shorthair are famous for their vivid yellow or amber eyes.
- Rarity: 1 out of 10 on the rarity scale.
- Common Breeds: Bengal, American Shorthair, and LaPerm.
While they are not perhaps as rare as other eye colors, ‘yellow-eyed cats’ are no less stunning, and they can come in a variety of coat colors which makes them even more striking.
2. Hazel Eyes in Cats: A Blend of Green and Yellow
Hazel eyes in cats are pretty hybrids of golden yellow and green. This eye color is comprised of colors that blend together to create that warm and welcoming color the eyes of wild cats like Lynx, and Bobcats alike and are known for. No, hazel eyes aren’t so rare but they do have that ‘wow’ factor when we are looking into types of cat eyes.
- Rarity: 2/10 on the rarity scale.
- Common Breeds: Bengal, Abyssinian, and Cornish Rex.
Hazel eyes in cats can have a combination of both yellow and green which adds that alluring depth and mystery to the overall look of the cat.
3. Green Eyes in Cats: From Gooseberry to Emerald
“Green-eyed cats” are some of the most alluring, having varying shades of green such as light green with a hint of yellow all the way to deep emerald green. This coat is present in breeds such as the Egyptian Mau, Russian Blue, and Havana Brown.
- Rarity: 5/10 on the rarity scale.
- Common Breeds: Russian Blue, Egyptian Mau, and Havana Brown.
The “green eyes in cats” can be mild and gooseberry green, as well as strong, bright and vivid emerald. The striking thing about this color is the clarity of it and how wonderful it contrasts with the many coat colors.
4. Blue Eyes in Cats: The Clear and Stunning Hue
Rounding out our list of spooky cat color genetics: With “blue eyes in cats”, the pigment called melanin is not present in the iris and thus they tend to appear almost supernatural (but despite common belief, regardless of the cats’ actual coloration or coat genetics).
In cats with blue eyes there is often no pigment at all, so the blue shade results from light being reflected off the rounded surface of their irises. They have a very special almost transparent look to them.
- Rarity: 6/10 on the rarity scale.
- Common Breeds: Siamese, Ragdoll, and Persian.
White cats may have other eye colors (blue, gold, green, copper, etc.) but are most commonly associated with blue, though they may not necessarily be born with blue eyes.
They are more commonly found on deaf cats, although one of the most famous white cats (Snowball II) in the world is yellow-eyed. Although blue eyes are not rare for white cats, they are very striking and can easily be described as one of the most iconic “kinds of cat eyes”.
5. Orange Eyes in Cats: The Bold and Brilliant Hue
You can’t miss the orange eyes — this color spreads well and contrasts sharply against a cat’s coat. Orange eyes were developed out of Britain, with a desire to have an eye color that was a stark contrast to a cat’s fur. This bold color is more common than other rare colors, and you will find this shade in several cat breeds.
- Rarity: 8/10 on the rarity scale.
- Common Breeds: Devon Rex, Japanese Bobtail, and Maine Coon.
Although orange-eyed cats may not be as unusual as others, their striking color is enough to put them in the very unique category and a notable trait for many breeds.
6. Copper Eyes in Cats: A Deep, Rich Shade
Copper eyes of a cat are considered to be one of the darkest and most intense. These eyes can be anything from pale brown to rich, fiery red with highlights of yellow, green, or orange. Copper-eyed cats are very unusual, a handful of breeds have them and they’re just mesmerising to look at.
- Rarity: 8/10 on the rarity scale.
- Common Breeds: British Shorthair, Chartreux, and Cornish Rex.
And it is the richness of copper eyes that catches your attention. These eyes almost appear to sparkle in its warmth and intensity, especially on a dark coat.
Comparison Table: Types of Cat Eyes and Their Rarity
| Cat Eye Color | Rarity (1-10) | Common Breeds | Description |
| Yellow & Amber Eyes |
1/10 |
Bengal, American Shorthair, LaPerm, Sphynx |
Ranges from pale lemon yellow to deep amber. Most common “cat eye color”. |
| Hazel Eyes |
2/10 |
Bengal, Abyssinian, Cornish Rex, Scottish Fold |
A mix of golden yellow and green. Seen in both wildcats and domestic breeds. |
| Green Eyes |
5/10 |
Russian Blue, Egyptian Mau, Havana Brown |
Ranges from yellow-green to emerald. Known for their striking and intense appearance. |
| Blue Eyes |
6/10 |
Siamese, Ragdoll, Balinese, Maine Coon |
Lacks melanin; the color results from light reflection. Common in white or light-colored cats. |
| Orange Eyes |
8/10 |
Devon Rex, Japanese Bobtail, Maine Coon, Turkish Van |
Bold and vivid color that contrasts well with any coat color. Developed by breeders for high visibility. |
| Copper Eyes |
8/10 |
British Shorthair, Chartreux, Cornish Rex |
A rich, dark brown with tones of red, orange, or yellow. Rare but incredibly striking. |
| Odd-Colored Eyes |
9/10 |
Turkish Van, Japanese Bobtail, Persian, Sphynx |
Each eye is a different color, often one blue and one green, yellow, or amber. |
| Dichroic Eyes |
9/10 |
Extremely rare, can occur in any breed |
Each eye displays two distinct colors, sometimes blending within the same iris. The rarest and most mesmerizing. |
Conclusion: Embrace the Diversity of Cat Eyes
Cat eye colors play a significant part in what makes your cat special. There are two shades of yellow eyes known as gold and amber as well as other less common types such as the hypnotizing dichroic eyes, so the variety in types of cat eyes is truly extraordinary.
One of the unique features of each cat breed is that they can have a different set of colors found in their eyes; some uncommon cat eye colors can be a distinguishing characteristic of certain breeds.
Regardless of the “type of cat eyes” your cat has, their eyes are one of their most beautiful and mesmerizing features. Whether your cat has beautiful green eyes or mesmerizing blue eyes, it’s hard not to love everything about their gaze and the genetic miracles that result in such captivatingly colored eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Types of Cat Eyes
1. What are the most common types of cat eyes?
Yellow eyes and amber eyes – These are commonly found in breeds like the American Shorthair and the Bengal. Green eyes are also a very common coloration, particularly with breeds such as the Russian Blue and Egyptian Mau.
2. What is the rarest type of cat eye color?
One of the rarest cat eye colors is dichroic eyes, two different colors in one or each eye, for a one-of-a-kind look. This is the rarest in the types of cat eyes, and can be found in any breed, though it’s generally unthinkable.
3. Can a cat’s eye color change over time?
Indeed a kitten’s eyes are mostly blue at birth. As the kitten grows, the color of the eyes changes, and by the time the kitten is about 12 weeks old, the final color of the cat’s eyes will be established based on factors such as genetics and melanin production.
4. Why do white cats have blue eyes?
White cats with blue eyes are usually a product of a dominant white gene, which masks any other color genes. It also impacts the characteristic blue of the eyes, but it also can be a suspect concerning the hearing, as there is an increased risk of the white cats with blue eyes to become deaf.
5. Are odd-colored eyes in cats common?
No, this is considered to be quite rare and is called odd-colored eyes, or heterochromia iridum. White cats are most frequently affected, and especially the variety with the epistatic gene. Most cats with odd-colored eyes have one blue eye and one green, yellow or amber eye.
6. What breeds are known for having green eyes?
There are a few cat breeds with unique eye colors that have gorgeous green eyes, like the Russian Blue, Egyptian Mau, and the Havana Brown. The latter breeds are especially valued for their bright, intense green coloration.
7. Can a cat have both copper and green eyes?
Even though the copper eyes and green eyes are separate colors some cats may have eyes that appear like a mix of the two where it seems the cat has a little bit of copper at the center with the green on the sides. This is fairly common in some breeds that have unique eye colors, such as the British Shorthair and Chartreux.
8. What causes blue eyes in cats?
Cat blue eyes happen when there is no melanin present in the iris. The color of the eye is the reflection of light from the clear stroma of the cat’s eye. This is something which is quite typical for white cats and breeds like the Siamese and Ragdoll are known for their blue eyes.
9. Are certain cat breeds linked to specific eye colors?
Yes, eye color on cats is frequently associated with their breed. Like, for instance, Siamese cats are known to have striking blue eyes, whereas their equivalent Russian Blue cats usually layout with green eyes.
Some breeds, such as the Turkish Van, are renowned for their odd-colored eyes while others like the Bengal are most likely to boast yellow or amber eyes.
10. How can I tell if my cat’s eyes are unusual?
If your cat’s one of the rare cat eye colors, like dichroic eyes (something that looks like two colors in one eye), or odd-colored eyes, or even copper eyes, chances are, they’ll stand out.
These are much less common eye colors compared to yellow, green, or blue standard. Take note of the shade, depth and rarity of the color isn’t sure if your cat has an unusual eye color.
