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Renowned for their beauty, Siamese cats are among the most attractive cats you can bring home, and they’re incredibly affectionate! These regal, vocal cats are loving and loyal to their owners. One of the most striking features of the Siamese cat is their blue eyes. But you may wonder, “Do all Siamese cats have blue eyes?” Yes, all Siamese cats have blue eyes because it’s part of their genetics. Only mixes have eye colors other than blue.
Siamese Cat Genetics
Siamese cats are distinctive for their pointed coats, which are a lighter body color with darker-colored “points” on their paws, face, and tail. Selective breeding has created variations on the classic pointed coat of the Siamese, including seal point, lilac point, chocolate point, and blue point, all of which have blue eyes.
This is because of the genetics that produce pointed coats. It comes from a genetic mutation in the tyrosinase (TYR) gene, which is part of the albino gene locus. The gene is recessive, meaning that both parents must carry the gene for it to be expressed in the kittens. It gives Siamese their temperature-sensitive coloration.
Siamese kittens are born all-white, with their body temperature around the typical 101°F. As they grow, the cooler areas of their body, like the ears, face, paws, and tail, begin to lose heat. This drop in temperature activates the Himalayan gene, which triggers the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for color. As a result, the cooler extremities darken, creating the characteristic pointed pattern of the Siamese cat.
Siamese Cat Coat and Eye Color
Blue eyes are not a true color but rather the result of an absence of pigment (melanin) in the iris. The blue coloration comes from light refraction on the iris. Since blue has the shortest wavelength, the light gets scattered and blue reflects back out.
All kittens are born with blue eyes. In those where pigment (melanin) develops in the iris, their eye color changes to brown, amber, green, or yellow by approximately 7–9 weeks of age.
Likewise, Siamese kittens are born white and develop their markings over time. The womb is warm and blocks the color gene from reaching the fur. Once exposed to the cooler atmosphere outside the womb, Siamese kittens develop pigment around the point areas and eventually get their permanent coat color.
Interestingly, the shade of blue in different point colors can be different. For example, a seal point coat Siamese cat can appear to have deep blue eyes, while a lilac point Siamese cat (a lighter coat color) may appear to have a paler shade of blue with some gray.
Final Thoughts
Siamese cats are one of the most beautiful and unique breeds. Between their signature wedge- or apple-shaped heads, stunning pointed coats, and piercing blue eyes, it’s no wonder they’re common in Hollywood and regarded as royal or fashionable cats. All Siamese cats will have blue eyes because of their genetics, but that doesn’t make them any less special.
- Related Read: 33 Striking Siamese Cat Colors (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: Linalyan, Shutterstock
