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When Do Kittens’ Eyes Change Color? Learn When To Expect It

When Do Kittens’ Eyes Change Color? Learn When To Expect It

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If you’re a proud new kitten owner, I’m sure you’re wondering When do kittens’ eyes change color

A kitten’s eyes will start blue and then gradually change to their final color over several weeks or months.

This can be an exciting time for pet owners, as it is interesting to watch the color of a kitten’s eyes evolve and change.

In this article, I will go over everything you might be wondering about eye color development in kittens, so stick around!

When Do Kittens’ Eyes Change Color?

cute kitten wrapped up in blanket

Kittens are born with closed eyes and typically start opening their eyes at around 7 to 10 days old, and it’s a gradual process, and they may not have full vision for several weeks.

Kittens are born with baby blue eyes, and their eye color typically changes at around 6 to 8 weeks of age.

Generally, a kitten’s eye color will begin to change at around two weeks of age, and by the time they are six to eight weeks old, their eye color will have fully matured.

The final eye color of a young kitten can sometimes take several months to develop fully, and it may continue to change and evolve over the first few years of the kitten’s life.

It’s not unusual for a kitten’s eye color to change and shift until they are around one year old.

Why Are All Kittens Born With Blue Eyes?

orange kitten playing outside

Kittens are born with blue eyes because the pigment melanin, which gives color to the eyes, hair, and skin, has not yet been produced in the kittens’ bodies.

Melanin production begins later in a kitten’s development, typically around 6-8 weeks of age, and as the kittens’ eyes produce melanin, their eye color will change.

Some kittens may retain their blue eye color, while others may develop different colors, such as green, yellow, or brown.

Role Of Melanin In Eye Color Development

Melanocytes are cells in the skin and eyes that produce the pigment melanin. 

In the eyes, melanin is responsible for the color of the iris, the colored part of the eye that surrounds the pupil. 

The amount and type of melanin in the iris determine the color of a kitten’s eyes.

Kittens are born with blue eyes because they have little to no melanin, the pigment that gives color to the iris. As the kitten grows and develops, the iris will begin to produce more melanin, and this will cause the eye color to change.

The final eye color of a kitten can sometimes take several months to develop fully, and it may continue to change and evolve over the first few years of the kitten’s life.

How Does The Color Of Kittens’ Eyes Develop As They Grow?

little kitten playing by window

The amount and type of pigments determine the color of a kitten’s eyes.

Newborn kitten’s eyes are typically blue because the pigment melanin has not yet been produced in their irises. 

As the kitten grows and develops, the production of melanin in their irises increases. This process can take several weeks or even months, depending on the kitten and the amount of melanin produced.

In most cases, a kitten’s eyes will reach their permanent color at around 8 to 12 weeks. 

Fun fact: The kitten’s age may also be determined by the color of its eyes since, by the time they are eight weeks old, most kittens have entirely lost their blue eyes.

What Color Eyes Can Cats Have?

Cats can have many eye colors, including blue, green, yellow, gold, orange, and copper. 

Some cats may even have eyes of different colors, a condition known as heterochromia.

The color of a cat’s eyes is determined by the amount and type of pigmentation in the iris and the way the light reflects off the iris.

Let’s consider which cat breeds are most likely to have specific eye colors!

Cat Breeds With Blue Eyes

Several cat breeds can have blue eyes, including the Balinese, Siamese, Ragdoll, Russian Blue, British Shorthair, Himalayan, and Sphynx.

The Tonkinese cat breed is unique among cat breeds because it possesses gorgeous turquoise blue eyes that are relatively uncommon.

Other breeds that may sometimes have blue eyes include the Scottish Fold, the Maine Coon, and the American Shorthair.

If your kitty has a white coat and blue eyes, you might be interested in reading: 200+ Names For White Cats With Blue Eyes: Awesome Ideas!

Cat Breeds With Green Eyes

Some cat breeds known for having green eyes include the Abyssinian, the Egyptian Mau, the British Shorthair, and the Persian.

Other breeds with green eyes include the Siamese, the Devon Rex, and the Scottish Fold.

It’s important to note, however, that not all cats within a breed will necessarily have green eyes and that some cats of mixed or unknown heritage may also have green eyes.

Cat Breeds With Hazel Eyes

white kitten with hazel eye

In cats, hazel is not a standard eye color; cats typically have blue, green, or yellow eyes. A cat can have hazel-colored eyes, but it is not common.

Hazel or brown eyes are common in only some cat breeds, including the Bengal, Abyssinian, Singapura, Scottish Fold, and Cornish Rex.

What Is The Rarest Eye Color For Kittens?

The rarest eye color for kittens is green.

Most kittens are born with blue eyes; as they grow and develop, their eye color will typically change at around 6 to 8 weeks. Some kittens will develop green eyes, but this is relatively rare.

The final eye color of a kitten can sometimes take several months to develop fully, and it may continue to change and evolve over the first few years of the kitten’s life.

Heterochromia In Kittens And Adult Cats

Heterochromia is a condition in which a cat has two different colored eyes.

This condition can occur in kittens and adult cats, and it is typically caused by a genetic mutation or a disorder that affects the production of melanin, the pigment that gives color to the eyes.

In some cases, heterochromia may be present at birth, while in other cases, it may develop later in life.

Cats with heterochromia generally have normal vision and no problems with their eyesight.

Heterochromia is a condition that affects the color of the eyes, but it does not affect the function of the eyes. Cats with this condition can see just as well as cats with uniform eye color.

Does A Cat’s Eye Color Change With Age?

hands holding kitten

The color of a cat’s eyes is determined by the amount and type of pigmentation in the iris.

As a cat ages, the iris may start to produce less melanin, the pigment that gives color to the iris. This can cause the eye color to become lighter or paler over time.

In some cases, a cat’s eyes may change color completely, going from blue to green or green to yellow.

When Is Eye Color Change A Sign Of A Health Issue?

Baby kittens are unfortunately susceptible to health issues regarding their eyes; most notably, they’re susceptible to eye infections.

Although your cat’s iris will not change color, you might notice redness in your cat’s eyes, which can indicate a health concern.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is a common eye infection in kittens. It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, transparent membrane that lines the eyelid’s inner surface and covers the eye’s white part.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis in kittens may include redness, swelling, discharge, and crusting around the eyes.

If your kitten is showing these symptoms, it is essential to consult a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. 

Treatment for conjunctivitis may include antibiotics, eye drops, or other medications, depending on the condition’s underlying cause.

Uveitis

Uveitis is an inflammation of the uvea. In kittens, uveitis can be caused by several things, including infection, trauma, or immune-mediated diseases. 

Symptoms of uveitis in kittens may include redness, swelling, pain, light sensitivity, and pupil size changes.

If your kitten is showing these symptoms, it is essential to consult with a veterinarian as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment for uveitis may include medications to reduce inflammation and prevent complications and close monitoring to ensure that the condition does not progress.

Wrapping Up

cute orange kitten

When do kittens’ eyes change color?

Kittens are born with blue eyes, and their eye color typically changes at around 6 to 8 weeks of age.

Their adult color sometimes takes several months to develop fully, and it may continue to change and evolve over the first few years of the kitten’s life.

This is an exciting time for every pet parent, and I’m sure you’re eager to learn your kitten’s eye color. Don’t worry; you’ll find out soon enough!

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