While we perceive this color of cat eye as blue, it is not a color in itself, but a lack of color combined with a refraction of light. Her eyes tok lots of time to change. A play on words. As cat eye color matures, our perception of it continues to be affected and influenced by this refracted blue or blue-green outer covering. - CatVills, When Do Cats Stop Growing? Most white, blue-eyed cats are deaf. and some cats retain this apparent hue throughout life. I don’t see where that phrase is used here, but “touch and go” is a common English expression meaning “unpredictable”; “maybe yes, maybe no”. Layne has fostered kittens and worked in animal shelters for over 8 years. This is to differentiate it from the outer eyelids. Work with your veterinarian. Examples: “John disliked starting his car on frosty mornings, since its ignition was touch and go.” or: “We didn’t know if we’d make it out alive! Symptoms of Haws syndrome: Diarrhea I believe you must do not forget that your cats … Gather your supplies. If you want to show your cat you love him, give it … Always cover your heating device with a blanket. a Dark Gray with Black “Tiger” stripes. I don’t see where that phrase is used here, but “touch and go” is a common English. For the first several weeks after a kitten’s eyes open, they appear to be blue. The range of blues that we see observe in cat eyes are a result of refracted light, rather than a function of pigmentation. The vast majority of adult cat eye colors exist on a spectrum ranging from green, gold and yellow on one side to orange, copper, and brown on the other, with a host of variations and shades between. But what about cats with blue eyes? He will be Seven Years old tomorrow, August First. Hold it on there for 10-15 seconds. One is a black cat, as kitten she had blue eyes, then they turned light green in few weeks. Eye and nasal discharge (green, yellow, brown, pus), Clean, disposable latex or nitrile gloves (powder-free). Kittens are born with blue eyes, which change depending on melanin in the iris. My cats: Here is an interesting article on cat eyes: https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-facts-science-eye-colors. It was touch and go there, for a while.”, Your email address will not be published. The only senses that work straight out of the gate are those of touch and smell. Kittens are absolutely adorable. Room temperature is ok or lukewarm. Unfortunately, they are prone to respiratory and eye infections because of their fragile state, especially if they are in a high-stress environment such as an animal shelter. When do kittens’ eyes change color? What to Do if Conflicts Between Your Cats Arise. What color are they? Photography © IpekMore | iStock / Getty Images Plus. In these cats, blue eyes, like limited coat color, is due to limited melanin. And when do kittens’ eyes change color and why? Part of kitten eye maturation is developing the ability to process light and interpret sensory input. He also seems to have cataracts. Alley Cat Allies has protected and improved the lives of cats for 30 years. How To Keep Kitty Cool In The Summer Months, a kitten’s eyes are sufficiently mature to open during the second week of life, cats with heterochromia iridum, or two different-colored eyes, where there is practically no light available, leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus, How Can You Tell How Old a Kitten Is? Once a cat is physically mature, her eyes should remain a consistent color throughout life. I’ve put out “Please Slow Down” signs but I’m getting ready to make a few kitty houses and hoping I can keep them safe. In the header picture of the four kittens, he looked just like the one on the far right. Cat eyes are as mysterious and inscrutable to us as the creatures themselves. Look into your cat’s eyes. Cats "kiss" with their eyes. Test it on your wrist first. Severe symptoms can cause irreversible vision damage, so play it safe and check in with your vet first. OR. If you noticed tenderness, redness, swelling, and the inability to thrive, you should check with a veterinarian for prescription ointment or oral antibiotics. They can overheat and die. So, when do kittens’ eyes change color? Your Siamese cat’s eyes may also point outward, making it look as if he is gazing in two directions at once. Some eye conditions may be serious and can cause irreversible damage if not treated. What color are they? Originally published in 2016. Photography by ©skynesher | Getty Images. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.  |  What color are they? Once the eye is sufficiently mature, these melanocytes begin producing melanin, pigment that gives the eye its mature adult coloration. The vast majority of adult cat eye colors exist on a spectrum ranging from green, gold and yellow on one side to orange, copper, and brown on the other, with a host of variations and shades between. He’s in excellent health. By week 6 or 7, a kitten’s eye color begins to change. During this developmental period, a baby kitten is learning … Being someone who has both fostered orphaned kittens and worked in animal shelters for over 6 years, keeping kitten eyes clean is an important task. How many melanocytes there are and how much melanin they yield determines the final color and its depth or intensity. You may have never seen it, as doing so is a sign of a health problem. Also, he and one of his litter were born with an impacted tail, making them look almost like a Manx, but the vet said he wasn’t a True Manx. Where blue eyes in colorpoint cats are a result of a partial albino heritage — the Siamese and its cousins have white coats before their color patches develop — an all-white cat is not necessarily an albino itself. Strabismus is simply a misdirected gaze. This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Your vet or a shelter vet may prescribe antibiotics depending on the severity. A cat's eye contains an inner membrane known as the third eyelid. With mother’s assistance and protection, a kitten is able to eat and sleep. I changed to a kitten kibble for more calories and they share at least 2 big cans of wet food a day, mixed into kibble. The iris, the colored part of the eye, contains melanocytes. Eye infections in kittens are serious. If you have clean gloves put them on. ... As with any sudden outward change, the best thing to do if you notice such a change is to consult a veterinarian. Its behavior has become very playful, trying to engage the other still young kittens. Every kitten develops at a different pace, but typically, a kitten’s eyes are sufficiently mature to open during the second week of life, anywhere from 7-14 days after birth. You can even wash your hands or change gloves in between cleanings. Eye color change is one of the last processes we can actually observe if the timing is right and if the kitten’s pace of development is slow enough. The others do too tho one will now eat with me just a couple of feet away. When this occurs, the eye sits in front of the eyelid and other protective eye features. Why did his eyes change color? Look into your cat’s eyes. If you use active or passive warming on your kittens, ALWAYS test out the heat level on your bare skin. He has a Light Gray “Soul Patch” on his lower lip, otherwise he’s all Black, although the hair between his ears and his yes seems thinner then the rest of his coat. When you are working with multiple littermates, you want to change gloves and use clean materials between each kitten. We didn’t know if we’d make it out alive! The abnormal positioning can affect one or both eyes and can occur in such a way that the kitten's eyes focus away from, or towards the nose. Most shelters (if you are fostering) will absolutely provide medications for free—it's part of their duty if they have a responsible foster program in place. While cats aren't quite as susceptible to eye problems as dogs tend to be, when cats do develop eye problems they are often chronic, notes Animal Eye Care . What’s truly remarkable is that when a kitten is born, she is functionally blind, and her eyes grow and develop along along with the rest of the body. Kittens are born with their eyes shut. I think it means that kittens have to use their sense of touch as they can’t yet use their eyes at that age, to get around. I don’t see where that phrase is used here, but “touch and go” is a common English expression meaning “unpredictable”. But as he aged, he gradually turned all Black, (with Red highlights in direct sunlight), which our vet said meant he was a Pure Black, as the Red is a defining trait. An initial touch isn't enough to gauge the heat level. © 2019 Belvoir Media Group. So, when do kittens’ eyes change color? They can detect the slightest movements in situations where there is practically no light available.