As many of you have already found out, cats, along with other animals (even us!), have eyes that start out as one color and change into something completely different! For example, my three darlings started out with dark blue eyes, even the pupil being almost navy! Then, the orbs became a grey. From grey, they went to green-grey, and now they are a greenish-gold. So, yes, we know that a cat's eyes change color as it ages, but what is really going on? What colors are normal or most common? And how are cat eyes different from our own? Well, I'm here to answer that! ;)
Wait. So, what is going on when a kitten's eye color starts to change? Heck! Why are my own eyes changing?! The answer is both simple and complicated. The simple fact of the matter is that eye color changes with age, and this is one way to tell how old a cat is. The more complicated parts are 1) what influences eye color, and, 2) why eye color changes. We will only be focusing on the second question.
Why does eye color change? The iris is more than just a pretty splash of color in the eye. It's actually a muscle that expands and contracts to manipulate the size of the pupil. Every time the muscle stretches or scrunches together, the pigments in the iris are moving, too. This causes the eye color to change in small, gradual ways that eventually become noticed, such as the color going from hazel to brown, etc.
Muscles movement isn't the only thing to affect the pigments, though. Certain emotions, such as anger and happiness, can alter the eye color as well. So, next time you're feeling especially excited, check your eyes! There's a chance that the color has changed!
Eye colors and the commonality for each has to do with the breed and pedigree of the cat. (Visit http://messybeast.com/eye-colours.htm to see eye colors and more about how they come to be.) :3
"Most kittens are born with blue eyes. As a kitten’s sense of sight develops over the next several weeks, his eyes begin to take on a variety of other colors. Eventually, at somewhere between 3 and 8 weeks of age, your kitten will probably have eyes that are flecked a mixture of browns, yellows and oranges. It is not uncommon to see shades of green and amber as well.
An older cat with blue eyes may have sustained eye damage or may be blind. However, blinded cats may have eyes of any number of color combinations, so blue eyes are not a strong indicator of cat eye problems.
Once a kitten’s eyes have developed completely, by about 3 months of age, his eyes should be done changing color. If, at this point, you detect any other eye color changes, it may be a sign of eye damage or a serious underlying medical condition. Cases in which a cat’s eyes change color dramatically over a short period of time are of particular concern." (quoted from http://www.vetinfo.com/cat-eye-color-changes.html)
It's important to note that the changing of eye color can also be problematic. If your feline's eyes suddenly appear oddly brown or dim yellow, you should get it checked out. Some causes could be eye trauma, an uncommon infection, feline leukemia, or even AIDS. So, be sure to be attentive and check your cat's eyes often. This will help to prevent any conditions from getting worse. Always be sure to take your animal to the vet if you have cause for suspicion.
Cat's eyes are very different from human eyes. For one, they work better in very dim light, as opposed to human eyes which work best with more light. (Visit http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/agarman/bco/fact4.htm, http://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/cats-see-world-entirely-different-light-you-knew-f8C11408037, and/or http://www.businessinsider.com/pictures-of-how-cats-see-the-world-2013-10 for more info. A good video comparing our sight and that of animals is located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hYaT4gvjNc)
I hope you enjoyed this rather long ramble about cat eyes. I tried to shorten it as best as I could! Haha~ Until next time, ciao!
Wait. So, what is going on when a kitten's eye color starts to change? Heck! Why are my own eyes changing?! The answer is both simple and complicated. The simple fact of the matter is that eye color changes with age, and this is one way to tell how old a cat is. The more complicated parts are 1) what influences eye color, and, 2) why eye color changes. We will only be focusing on the second question.
Why does eye color change? The iris is more than just a pretty splash of color in the eye. It's actually a muscle that expands and contracts to manipulate the size of the pupil. Every time the muscle stretches or scrunches together, the pigments in the iris are moving, too. This causes the eye color to change in small, gradual ways that eventually become noticed, such as the color going from hazel to brown, etc.
Muscles movement isn't the only thing to affect the pigments, though. Certain emotions, such as anger and happiness, can alter the eye color as well. So, next time you're feeling especially excited, check your eyes! There's a chance that the color has changed!
Eye colors and the commonality for each has to do with the breed and pedigree of the cat. (Visit http://messybeast.com/eye-colours.htm to see eye colors and more about how they come to be.) :3
"Most kittens are born with blue eyes. As a kitten’s sense of sight develops over the next several weeks, his eyes begin to take on a variety of other colors. Eventually, at somewhere between 3 and 8 weeks of age, your kitten will probably have eyes that are flecked a mixture of browns, yellows and oranges. It is not uncommon to see shades of green and amber as well.
An older cat with blue eyes may have sustained eye damage or may be blind. However, blinded cats may have eyes of any number of color combinations, so blue eyes are not a strong indicator of cat eye problems.
Once a kitten’s eyes have developed completely, by about 3 months of age, his eyes should be done changing color. If, at this point, you detect any other eye color changes, it may be a sign of eye damage or a serious underlying medical condition. Cases in which a cat’s eyes change color dramatically over a short period of time are of particular concern." (quoted from http://www.vetinfo.com/cat-eye-color-changes.html)
It's important to note that the changing of eye color can also be problematic. If your feline's eyes suddenly appear oddly brown or dim yellow, you should get it checked out. Some causes could be eye trauma, an uncommon infection, feline leukemia, or even AIDS. So, be sure to be attentive and check your cat's eyes often. This will help to prevent any conditions from getting worse. Always be sure to take your animal to the vet if you have cause for suspicion.
Cat's eyes are very different from human eyes. For one, they work better in very dim light, as opposed to human eyes which work best with more light. (Visit http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/agarman/bco/fact4.htm, http://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/cats-see-world-entirely-different-light-you-knew-f8C11408037, and/or http://www.businessinsider.com/pictures-of-how-cats-see-the-world-2013-10 for more info. A good video comparing our sight and that of animals is located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hYaT4gvjNc)
I hope you enjoyed this rather long ramble about cat eyes. I tried to shorten it as best as I could! Haha~ Until next time, ciao!