Everyone who sees a cat with heterochromia for the first time is surprised by the charm and eccentricity of these cats. Even if it is not exclusive to felines, since dogs and humans can also have this peculiar condition, seeing a cat with one eye of each color is something that catches our attention. At these times, many doubts cross our minds, such as, for example, what causes the heterochromia.heterochromia and how this develops or which ones are needed with a cat with two eye colors.

Are you curious to better understand what this condition is and which kittens are most affected by heterochromia? O Paws of the House has gathered the most important information on the subject and helps you unravel everything about the cat with two colors of eyes. Come with us!

What is heterochromia?

Heterochromia is a condition characterized by a change in the coloration of the iris of the cat's eye, but it also affects other species such as dogs, horses and humans. It can affect one or two eyes, and is divided into three classifications: complete, partial or central. See what differs one from the other:

Complete heterochromia: is when each eye is a different color from the other;

Partial heterochromia: is when the iris of the same eye shows two different colors, as if it had a spot;

Central heterochromia: is when the eye shows a different color only in the center of the iris, surrounding the pupil;

Most cats are born with eyes of a single color, which may remain the same or change slightly in the first few months of life. If the owner notices that the cat has a two-colored eye - complete, partial or central - it is because this is a cat with heterochromia. But it is important to pay attention to the age of the pet, since this change is only common in kittens. In adult animals, theHeterochromia is not considered "normal" because it can indicate the presence of eye diseases.

Cat with heterochromia: how does genetics explain the condition?

Heterochromia in cats happens because of a genetic alteration that interferes with the amount of melanin present in each eye. Melanin, in turn, is found in cells called melanocytes and the main responsible for this change is the EYCL3 gene, which is the indicator of eye pigmentation. The more melanin, the darker the eye color becomes (usually pulled towards shades of blue).brown or black); and the lower the amount of melanin, the lighter the color (and this is where the green and blue colors appear). As for defining the shade of each eye, the gene responsible is EYCL1. It will determine whether a blue-eyed cat, for example, will have lighter or darker shades of this same color.

What are the main causes of a cat with two eye colors?

Cats with heterochromia can have different coloured eyes for various reasons, but most of the time it is a congenital condition that is hereditary. In other words, it is a genetic condition that is passed on from father to son. In this case, the animal is already born with this characteristic, so the anomaly does not affect the cat's health at all and does not harm his life. The "symptoms" are noticedfrom an early age, but there is no reason for the guardian to worry about the pet.

Here it is worth mentioning a curiosity: the color of cats' eyes can change up to 6 months of age. So do not be surprised if the kitten is born with eyes of one color, and then it changes. This is a totally normal process, because it is around the sixth week of life that melanocytes begin to produce the melanin responsible for the pigmentation of cat eyes. Until then, a lot can happen!

Another important point that should be stressed is that a cat with genetic heterochromia has melanocytes - i.e. cells that produce melanin - in lower quantity and, therefore, they are usually cats with blue eyes, white fur or with white spots. This is why it is very difficult - almost impossible, in fact - to find a black cat with heterochromia, but it is very easy to find a black cat with heterochromia.white with two different eye colors.

In addition to the cat with congenital heterochromia, another possibility is when the cat develops or acquires heterochromia throughout life. In these cases, the problem usually manifests itself in adulthood and stems from accidents or illnesses. In addition to scars and injuries, there are some diseases that can leave the eye whitish, bluish or mottled and all these conditions should be investigated bya professional.

What makes a cat have one eye of each color in adulthood?

If heterochromia in cats has been observed only when the animal has reached adulthood, it is important to sound the alarm. It is usually a sign that there is something wrong with feline vision, and may indicate the presence of eye diseases in the cat. Some examples of problems that can cause a change in iris color are:

• Cataract
• Glaucoma in cats
• Corneal ulcer
• Injuries
• Tumors

In any case, if you notice that you have a cat with two eye colors or that it has suffered any eye changes, and it is already an adult, it is essential to seek advice from a veterinarian specializing in ophthalmology. He will be able to diagnose the condition correctly and indicate the best way to treat the patient.

Cat with two-colored eye: which breeds are most affected?

If you like different animals and are looking for a cat with one eye of each color, know that this task is not so difficult. Because it is a condition that is usually hereditary, there are some breeds of cat that are more likely to develop heterochromia. They are:

• Angora;
• Burmese;
• Japanese Bobtail;
• English Shorthaired Cat;
• Persian;
• Siamese;
• Turkish van;

Still, it is important to keep in mind that the breed alone will not define whether a cat will have heterochromia or not. Although these breeds are more likely to develop the condition, it is necessary that the kitten has the gene responsible for the decrease in the amount of melanocytes (EYCL3).

Is a white cat with heterochromia more likely to be deaf?

You've probably heard the theory that white cats are more likely to be deaf, right?! But believe me: the risk of deafness in white cats is no myth. In fact, the risk is even higher in animals that have blue eyes - and that includes a white cat with heterochromia, which can have one eye with that color. The explanation is because the geneThis means that if a cat has one blue eye and one brown eye, for example, the side with the blue eye is more likely to have deafness.

To know how to identify a deaf cat, you first need to observe the behavior of your four-legged friend. Some of the experiments that can be done are: turning on the vacuum cleaner, clapping your hands and calling the cat by name. In the meantime, you should evaluate the reactions of the kitty and the movement of the ears, which usually follow the direction of the sounds emitted. If there is any suspicion ofthat the animal is deaf, consult a veterinarian to perform other types of tests.

Remember also that a deaf cat requires certain precautions: it should not have access to the street, as it runs the risk of getting into an accident, and also needs easy communication with the family. Gestures and facial expressions help a lot in this regard, making the animal "learn" what the guardian wants to say with some behaviors without the need to speak.

What care is needed for a cat with heterochromia?

Many people think that a cat with two-colored eyes needs special care, but that's not the case. Generally, these pets are quite healthy and don't need any extra attention or anything like that. They will actually have the same needs as any other cat: a good diet, cat water fountains, physical and mental stimulation, regular vet appointments (both for cats and for cats), and a lot more than that.for health monitoring, such as to reinforce vaccine doses) and hygiene care (such as clipping the cat's nail, cleaning the ears and brushing the teeth). Oh, and of course, there can be plenty of love and affection too!

What may require greater care is when the cat with heterochromia develops it throughout life, because, as we have already seen, this may be indicative of some eye problem or disease. If this is the case, it becomes essential to consult a veterinarian to try to recover the patient's vision or at least slow down the progression of the condition, which can leave the cat blind. It is worth remembering that anytype of self-medication should be avoided, and the whole process should be guided by a professional expert on the subject.