When do cats have blue eyes? - briefly
Cats typically have blue eyes as kittens, and certain breeds, like Siamese or Ragdoll, retain this eye color into adulthood due to their genetic makeup.
When do cats have blue eyes? - in detail
Cats typically have blue eyes during their early stages of life, particularly as kittens. This phenomenon is due to the lack of melanin in their irises at birth. Melanin, the pigment responsible for eye color, develops gradually over time. In the first few weeks of life, a kitten’s eyes are sealed shut, and when they open, the eyes often appear blue because the melanin production has not yet fully begun. As the kitten matures, melanin production increases, and the eye color may change to green, yellow, amber, or brown, depending on the cat’s genetics. However, certain cat breeds retain blue eyes into adulthood due to specific genetic traits. For example, Siamese, Ragdoll, and Balinese cats are known for their striking blue eyes, which are a result of a gene linked to their coat color and pattern. Additionally, white cats with the dominant white gene or the white spotting gene often have blue eyes, and in some cases, they may exhibit heterochromia, where one eye is blue and the other is a different color. It is important to note that blue eyes in cats can also be associated with congenital deafness, particularly in white cats with blue eyes, as the same gene responsible for their coat and eye color can affect the development of the inner ear. Overall, while blue eyes are most common in kittens, they can persist in certain breeds and individuals due to genetic factors.