Cats are amazing animals in many ways, and one of their most captivating features is their eyes. Cat eyes are unique and are admired by many people, which makes them so cuddly and adorable as pets. I adore my Maine Coon’s large, amber-green eyes!
Even among cats, some breeds with eyes stand out among the rest. It may be in size, shape, or color. All of these variations in cats’ eyes make unique and special animals.
Some cats have bigger eyes than the rest, which has more to do with the characteristics of the specific breed than any other factor.
Here’s a look at the top 10 big-eyed cat breeds in the mesmerizing world of feline gaze.
10 Cats With Big Eyes
Cornish Rex
The Cornix Rex has one of the most prominent pairs of eyes in the feline world. They are renowned as some of the best hypoallergenic cats with beautiful curly coats.
They are at the top of specialty cat breeds with unique features. They have the most captivating gaze. Their almond-shaped eyes are prominently sized and positioned on their triangular-shaped face.
Conix Rex’s eyes are gold-colored, although you may see some cats with blue, green, hazel, and brown-colored eyes.
Here are a few essential characteristics of this breed:
- Height: 11 to 15 inches
- Weight: 6 to 10 pounds
- Physical traits: curly, tight, short hair, triangular head, and wide-set ears
Devon Rex
Devon Rex is similar in many ways to the Cornish Rex. Cats of this breed are also proud of their beautiful curly coats, like the Cornish Rex.
These cats also have oval-shaped eyes, similar to Conix Rex’s. It gives the Devon Rex an adorable out-of-this-world look.
Devon Rex has an enchanting look with its slender body, large oval eyes, and wide, triangular ears.
These cats have different eyes varying from blue to green, brown, and hazel. However, cats with mink-colored coats typically have aqua-colored eyes, while cats with more colored coats have beautiful bright blue eyes.
Below are some essential characteristics of this breed:
- Height: 10 to 12 inches
- Weight: 6 to 9 pounds
- Physical traits: broad chest, fine to medium bone structure, soft, thin, and curly coat, and a triangular-shaped head
Sphynx
Sphynx is a popular breed with its unique hairless skin. It also has an arresting gaze with expressions very much similar to humans.
The lack of facial hair primarily drives others to look at the Sphinx’s large lemon-shaped eyes. Its eyes are wide open at the center and end with a point at either side.
The colors of its eyes are generally aqua, icy blue, and different shades of green.
Here are a few essential characteristics of this breed:
- Height: 8 to 10 inches
- Weight: 10 to 12 pounds
- Physical traits: hairless body with skin pigmentation, arched back, long limbs, lemon-shaped eyes, and triangular head
Singapura
Singapura is one of the smallest cat breeds, making their eyes stand out even more due to their miniature-sized body. According to The International Cat Association (TICA), it’s the smallest registered cat breed.
These cats get their name because they originated in the streets of Singapore. They have large, affectionate, and expressive eyes highlighting their playful nature.
Singapura’s almond-shaped eyes can be of any color: green, hazel, and yellow. Their large wide-open eyes are a highlighting feature among their breed.
Below are some essential traits of this breed:
- Height: 6 to 8 inches
- Weight: 4 to 8 pounds
- Physical traits: small but muscular body, round head, and large eyes
Persian
The Persian cat’s round eyes stand against its small, flat face. This exotic-looking cat breed has beautiful bright blue, green, or copper-colored eyes that pop out amidst its white or light-colored skin and long-fluffy coats.
Some Persians may have heterochromia or odd eyes where one eye is blue and the other is copper-colored.
Here is some information on a few traits of this breed:
- Height: 8 to 10 inches
- Weight: 7 to 12 pounds
- Physical traits: medium-sized body, long coat, round eyes, and flat face
Burmese
The Burmese cat is a cross of two other cat breeds: the native cat of Burma (Myanmar) and the Siamese. Burmese cats trace their roots to Wong Mau, a female Birman cat.
One of the standard features that all Burmese cats share is their large round eyes glistening in bright green or gleaming gold.
Here is an overview of the characteristics of this breed:
- Height: 10 to 12 inches
- Weight: 6 to 14 pounds
- Physical traits: long legs, short coat, and round, large and expressive eyes
Scottish Fold
One of the highlighting features of the Scottish Fold is not its eyes but its ears, which seem to fold over and lay flat against the head.
However, its large, round eyes also come close to a second unique feature of this breed of cats. The unique ears and eyes of the Scottish Fold give it an adorable look that is unmatched by any other species in the world of felines.
The colors of its eyes could be gold, copper, green, and blue. The Scottish Fold has notable round eyes and a broad nose that separates the eyes in the center of the face.
Below are a few essential characteristics of this breed:
- Height: 8 to 10 inches
- Weight: 9 to 13 pounds (males); 6 to 9 pounds (females)
- Physical traits: compact body, round face, large, round eyes, and folded ears
Russian Blue
Russian Blue cats are beautiful animals with large eyes that look prominent amidst their triangular heads.
These cats’ round, large, and wide-set eyes seem to stare at you, except when they’re constantly napping.
One of the distinct factors to note is that these cats are born with yellow eyes. However, their eyes change color from yellow to green as they grow.
Here is an overview of the characteristics of this breed:
- Height: 9 to 10 inches
- Weight: 8 to 15 pounds
- Physical traits: long limbs, blue-gray plush double coat, triangular head, large, round, wide-set green eyes, and broad nose
Tonkinese
Tonkinese cats have one of the most mesmerizing eyes in the feline world that you may not be able to look away from their gaze. Their large, almond-shaped eyes gleam in exotic colors like sky blue, aqua, violet, or gold.
These cats are a cross between the Siamese and the Burmese and have bright coat colors.
Below are some essential traits of this breed:
- Height: 8 to 10 inches
- Weight: 6 to 12 pounds
- Physical traits: short fur, medium stature, and almond-shaped eyes in bright colors like blue, aqua, and gold
British Shorthair
British Shorthair has round, large, and well-opened eyes that are fascinating to be staring at. They have a striking blue coat which stands out against their gold eyes.
Although these coat and eye colors are standard in British Shorthairs, they may even flounder varying coat and eye colors like blue, green, and copper.
Here are a few essential characteristics of this breed:
- Height: 12 to 14 inches
- Weight: 7 to 17 pounds
- Physical traits: short but dense coat in colors like white, black, and blue, round face, large, round, and well-opened eyes, and males with heavy jowls
Macrophthalmia In Cats
Macrophthalmia is a congenital condition which features enormous eyes. It’s a rare health condition that could occur during fetal development in any breed.
Macrophthalmia typically indicates detached lenses (luxation), glaucoma, and the presence of cataracts in the eyes, which means that you have a blind cat.
It is passed down to generations due to genetic error. However, blind cats are more sensitive to noises and smells, which make up for their vision loss.
Heterochromia In Cats
Heterochromia is when cats are born with odd eyes or eyes with different colors. A cat may have one look that is green and the other that is blue or yellow. It’s also a rare condition that occurs at birth.
However, if your cat’s eyes change color over time, it could be something to be concerned about. Another worry is if a cat develops varying pupil sizes, which may indicate that it needs veterinary attention immediately.
About Cat Eyes
Cat eyes vary from one another based on shape, color, size, etc. It depends on which breed each cat belongs to and the specific traits associated with the respective breed.
A cat’s eyes may get temporarily bigger due to various feelings such as excitement, pleasure, aggression, or fear. It’s a crucial way of identifying any signs of trouble your cat may be facing and a way to read its body signals.
However, some cats have naturally big eyes, which is entirely natural and is one of the characteristics of specific breeds like Persian, Sphinx and Burmese cats.
Big-Eyed Cat Breed Characteristics
Big-eyed cats don’t necessarily have a higher tendency to develop eye conditions as a group. Nevertheless, popular big-eyed breeds like Burmese and Persian are more prone to eye-related health conditions like cataracts.
Cataracts occur when eye lenses become white, cloudy, and obstructed. However, irrespective of the breed, all cats develop cataracts as they age.
Therefore, it’s evident that there’s nothing to worry about if your cat has big eyes. It doesn’t necessarily mean that your cat will suffer from health conditions related to the eye simply because its pupils are dilated.
Conclusion
Cats have beautiful eyes that gleam in the darkness. Some cats have large eyes that stand out against their faces.
Some breeds with large eyes include Persian, Burmese, Cornish Rex, Sphynx, Devon Rex, Russian Blue, Scottish Fold, and British Shorthair.
Cats that have large eyes don’t suffer from any health conditions. However, cats with a congenital condition called macrophthalmia have abnormally large eyes that cause them to be blind.
Some cats are born with different-colored eyes, a rare condition called heterochromia that occurs at birth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Breed Of Cats Have Big Eyes?
Breeds of big-eyed cats are Burmese, Persian, Russian Blue, Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Sphynx, British Shorthair, and Scottish Fold.
What Do Naturally Large Pupils In Cats Mean?
Some cats are born with naturally large eyes. However, a cat’s pupils may fluctuate due to factors like emotion and light. Its pupils will become large if it’s excited and about to pounce.
Do Big-Eyed Cats Have A Higher Tendency To Develop Eye Conditions?
Big-eyed cats don’t tend to develop eye conditions as a group. However, large-eyed breeds like Burmese and Persians are more prone to cataracts due to the characteristics of the specific species.
How Can Advanced Technology Help Cats?
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I’m Gary Hu, a proud cat dad to a 15 lb Maine Coon. Have taken care of outdoor and indoor cats for over 10 years, and learned tons on behavior, habits, health, and products. I help new Maine Coon (or any other cat) parents with common questions and issues based on real, practical experience.
