Cats can have a variety of eye colors, including yellow. The specific breed of cat most likely to have yellow eyes is the Norwegian Forest Cat. Some key points about cats with yellow eyes:
Norwegian Forest Cat
The Norwegian Forest Cat is a breed that originated in Norway. These cats are large, long-haired cats that are adapted to cold climates. Their coat is thick and water-repellent. Norwegian Forest Cats can have many different color variations, but yellow or golden eyes are common in the breed.
The Norwegian Forest Cat breed standard specifies that eye color can be any shade of green, gold, green-gold or copper. Yellow or golden eyes are considered acceptable eye colors for this breed.
Here are some key facts about the Norwegian Forest Cat breed:
- Origin is Norway
- Large, muscular body structure
- Long water-resistant double coat
- Well adapted to cold climates
- Eye color can be yellow/golden or shades of green/gold
- Intelligent, active and social personality
The most common eye colors for Norwegian Forest Cats are shades of gold and green. Their eye color results from selective breeding over many generations. The yellow/golden eye color is part of the breed standard.
Other Cat Breeds with Yellow Eyes
While the Norwegian Forest Cat is the breed most associated with yellow eyes, some other cat breeds may also have yellow or golden eye coloration. These include:
- Maine Coon – Can have green, gold or copper eyes
- Turkish Angora – Can have yellow, green or blue eyes
- American Curl – Eye color can be gold, green or yellow
- Ocicat – Eye color is gold, green or hazel
- Bengal – Eye color ranges from gold to green
So yellow or golden eye color is seen in several pedigreed cat breeds. For most of these breeds, it is considered an acceptable and normal eye color, but not necessarily the only or most common eye shade.
Why Do Cats Have Yellow Eyes?
Eye color in cats is determined by genetics. Specifically, it is linked to the production and distribution of melanin pigment in the iris of the eye.
Melanin comes in two forms:
- Eumelanin – Brown/black pigment
- Pheomelanin – Red/yellow pigment
The amount and type of melanin present determines the eye color. In cats with yellow eyes, pheomelanin is dominant over eumelanin.
Genes influence the production, concentrations and distribution of melanin. So eye color is an inherited genetic trait in cats.
Through selective breeding, cat fanciers have developed breeds with distinctive eye colors. Norwegian Forest Cats have been bred to produce more pheomelanin and less eumelanin, resulting in their golden eye color.
Do Yellow Eyes Indicate Health Problems in Cats?
Yellow or golden eye color is completely normal for some breeds like Norwegian Forest Cats. But in other cats, it can potentially indicate an underlying health issue.
Causes of yellow eyes in cats can include:
- Juvenile Cataracts – Clouding of the lens in young cats
- Galactosemia – Genetic disorder that affects metabolism of galactose sugar
- Liver Disease – Such as liver cancer, hepatitis, jaundice
- Diabetes – Can cause cataracts and lens discoloration
So in breeds that don’t normally have yellow eyes, it can be a symptom of an underlying condition. Such cats should have a veterinary exam to pinpoint the cause.
Yellow eyes are also more light-sensitive. So increased blinking, squinting or seeking dark spaces may occur in cats with yellow eyes.
Conclusion
While many cat breeds may display yellowish eyes from time to time, the Norwegian Forest Cat is the breed most associated with this eye color. Their golden or yellow-green eye color results from selective breeding and genetics. For cats not predisposed to yellow eyes, it can be a symptom of health issues like cataracts, galactosemia or liver disease. So yellow eyes in random-bred cats warrant a veterinary visit. But in purebred Norwegian Forest Cats, their beautiful golden eyes are completely normal and healthy.
| Breed | Eye Colors | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Norwegian Forest Cat | Green, gold, yellow, copper | Yellow/gold eyes are typical of the breed |
| Maine Coon | Green, gold, copper | Yellow eyes are possible but not as common as green |
| Turkish Angora | Yellow, green, blue | Variety of eye colors are seen |
| American Curl | Gold, green, yellow | Yellow eyes occur but not as prevalent as green |
| Ocicat | Gold, green, hazel | Gold eye color is common in the breed |
| Bengal | Gold, green, hazel | Golden eyes are typical of the breed |
