Cat's Eye First Impression: Embark on Color Exploration.
When you gently approach your own cat and gaze into its round eyes, are you deeply attracted? Some cats have eyes like a pool of clear lake water, shining with a charming blue. Some are like brilliant gems, shining with golden light. Those pairs of lively eyes not only conceal the mystery and playfulness of the cat, but also contain a rich variety of color codes.

The "palette" for cat's eye colors.

A comprehensive collection of common color schemes: The colors of a cat's eyes are rich and diverse, just like a brilliant palette. The most common cat's eye colors include green, light brown, golden yellow, lemon yellow, amber, orange, copper, etc. The green cat's eyes are like the newly sprouted buds in spring, fresh and full of vitality. Many domestic cats have such lively green eyes, as if hiding a mysterious forest. The light brown cat's eyes add a touch of warmth and softness, just like a cup of warm tea in the afternoon, making people feel warm just by looking at them. The golden cat's eyes are like brilliant sunlight, shining and dazzling. When the cat gazes in the sunlight, those golden eyes seem to reflect the light of the entire world. The lemon-yellow cat's eyes are fresh and bright, just like lemon soda in summer, lively and playful. The amber-colored cat's eyes are like ancient amber, containing the stories of time, profound and charming. The orange cat's eyes are passionate and fiery, adding a touch of lively and cute charm to the cat. The copper-colored cat's eyes are deep and rich, making people can't help but get lost in them, as if they could see through the little secrets in the cat's heart.
Rare Colors Revealed: Besides the common colors, there are also some rare cat's eye colors, which make people marvel at the wonders of nature. The blue cat's eyes are like the deep ocean or the clear sky, dreamy and charming. This color is commonly seen in some specific breeds of cats, such as Ragdoll cats. Their big blue eyes are like sapphires embedded in their faces, attracting countless people's attention. Some white cats may also have blue eyes, but white cats with blue eyes may sometimes have hearing problems. Red cat eyes are extremely rare. This is usually because cats have albinism and their bodies cannot normally synthesize melanin, causing the color of the blood vessels in the eyes to show through the transparent tissue, thus presenting a red color, just like the eyes of a little rabbit. Such cats seem to come from a mysterious fairy tale world, carrying a touch of fragility and mystery.

Unique "Yin-yang eyes" : There is an even more special case, which is the "yin-yang eyes" of cats, also known as "heterochromia of the iris". Cats with yin-yang eyes have two eyes that show different colors. One could be blue, the other yellow, or a combination of other different colors. This wonderful phenomenon makes cats look even more unique, as if they have been endowed with special magic by heaven. The "yin-yang eyes" are usually caused by congenital genetic factors, which makes cats already "win big" in terms of appearance.

The Amazing Journey of cat eyes Changing Color: Did you know that all kittens have blue eyes when they are born? This is because newborn kittens have no pigment on their irises. The transparent anterior chamber, under the effect of reflection and scattering, presents a uniform blue color, as if it were an initial gift from nature to each kitten. But this kind of blue color won't last forever. About 23 days after birth, melanin, this magical "colorist", begins to gradually take effect, and the little cat's eyes thus embark on a "color-changing" journey. Melanin is a pigment present in cats. It not only determines the color of their fur and skin but also plays a crucial role in the formation of the color of their eyes. As melanocytes become active, melanin gradually accumulates in the cat's eyes, and the originally uniform blue color is gradually replaced by other colors. By the time a kitten is 7 to 12 weeks old, the color of its pupils has basically become fixed, presenting their unique adult color. This process is like a mysterious magic show. You never know what kind of charming eyes your little cat will eventually have. It's just like opening a blind box, full of surprises and expectations. Perhaps the eyes were still hazy blue the day before, but after a few days, they quietly turned into bright green or warm orange.

2. The "mysterious black hand" behind it: Genes and pigments.

The powerful influence of genes: The mystery of a cat's eye color is largely determined by genes. Genes are like a "super director" behind the scenes, controlling the quantity and activity of melanocytes in a cat's eyes. The number of melanocytes determines the basic type of a cat's eye color, such as green, yellow or blue. The activity of melanocytes determines the intensity of the eye color, such as whether it is light green or dark green, light yellow or dark yellow. Just as human physical features are inherited from parents, a cat's eye color can also be influenced by genetic factors. For instance, the genes of Siamese cats determine that they usually have blue eyes, while Maine Coons often have green, golden or amber eyes.
The magic of pigments: Pigments play a crucial role in the formation of cat's eye color. There are pigment cells on a cat's iris, and the melanin produced by these cells is the key factor affecting the color of the eyes. In simple terms, the amount of melanin in the iris and its activity level directly determine the color of a cat's eyes. If there is less melanin, the color of a cat's eyes will be lighter, such as appearing blue or green. If there is more melanin, the color of the eyes will be darker, such as yellow, orange or brown. Melanin can be imagined as a magical pigment. When there is less melanin, it is like gently applying a light layer of pigment on the canvas, and the color naturally becomes lighter. When there is a lot of melanin, it's as if a thick layer of pigment has been applied heavily, and the color becomes profound. During a cat's growth process, the production of melanin changes over time. This is why a kitten's eyes are blue when it is born and gradually change color later.