Do All Birman Cats Have Blue Eyes – Facts To Know

The dazzling blue eyes of a Birman cat are somewhat hypnotic. Couple that with their beautiful markings, and you have one fine looking feline. But making sure you truly have a purebred Birman is imperative. Verifying she’s a Birman all starts with the eyes. So, do all Birman cats have blue eyes?

All Birman cats have blue eyes. Blue eyes are caused but the lack of pigment development in the eyes. The blue eyes don’t affect their eyesight or cause other issues such as deafness. Birman kittens are born with blue eyes and the color extends into adulthood.

Knowing the characteristics of a purebred Birman is vital if you wish to adopt one. And the eyes tell all. Learn about those Birman’s famous and brilliant blue eyes. You’ll also learn how to care for them.

Why Birmans Have Blue Eyes

All kittens are born with blue eyes, no matter the breed. A lack of pigment causes this. Cats will develop the pigment in their eyes when they’re around five to six weeks old. If that pigment doesn’t develop, you end up with a blue-eyed kitty, like the Birman. Adult cats with blue eyes are not the norm. They are specific to certain breeds. 

The Birmans have had blue eyes since they first appeared on the scene in France, circa the 1920s. It is thought the Birman originated in Burma. The country of Burma is now known as Myanmar.

Do Blue Eyes Cause Deafness in White Cats?

Unfortunately, there’s a high incidence of blue-eyed white cats who are deaf. This disorder correlates with the dominant white gene and is not related to the white spotting gene.

The dominant white gene is a mutation. The cat is white. The mutation contains one allele to be white. If there are two alleles, then the white cat will most likely be deaf. The white spotting gene creates patches of white on a cat. The cat isn’t white.

Different colored eyes on white cats have varied chances of having deafness. The chances of white cats being born deaf include:

• Non-blue-eyed white cats—17% to 22% chance of deafness
• One blue eye and one eye a different color white cats—40% chance of deafness
• Blue-eyed white cats—65% to 85% chance of deafness

Are Birmans Deaf?

Fortunately, the blue eyes in the Birman are not connected with deafness. So, it’s totally safe to purchase this breed without having to worry about future health issues related to deafness. Other blue-eyed breeds that are not prone to deafness include:

• Siamese
• Balinese
• Himalayan
• Persian
• Javanese

How to Take Care of Your Birman’s Eyes

Be aware of your cat’s behavior when it comes to their eyes. Signs of a cat having eye problems include:

• Rubbing face against the rug
• Rubbing face against furniture
• Pawing at eyes

If you see your Birman doing any of these, there might be an eye problem. Take a look into those pretty blues. If they’re gooey instead of their normal clear, something is not right. Eyecare is often overlooked by cat owners, but if your cat has blue eyes it’s especially important to get them checked regularly. 

That gooeyness is discharge, and it can indicate several different conditions. From something serious to the common cold, you’ll need to know when to consult a veterinarian. Several conditions that could be causing discharge include:

1. Pink Eye
2. Feline Upper Respiratory Infections
3. Dry Eye
4. Third Eyelid Problems
5. Watery Eyes
6. Corneal Disorders

Pink Eye

Yes, your kitty is capable of having this. It is also called conjunctivitis. The pink lining around your cat’s eye is inflamed. It causes the eyes to look swollen and red. It also causes a thick discharge. You’ll need to treat your kitty with eye drops for a few weeks. But watch for trouble breathing or diarrhea. This could indicate peritonitis, which is fatal.

Feline Upper Respiratory infections

This is often the cause of discharge in the eye. Upper respiratory infections encompass a few diseases, including:

• Pneumonitis
• Bacteria
• Protozoa
• Rhinotracheitis

These diseases have the potential to make your kitty seriously ill and can even lead to death.

Dry Eye

This is a lack of tear production. With dry eye, the cornea can become inflamed. And if you don’t treat it, blindness can occur.

Third eyelid problems

Your Birman has three eyelids. They include:

• The upper—first
• The lower—second
• The third—a fold at the inside corner of the eye

It is located in the inner corner of the eye socket and isn’t visible when the cat is alert. When relaxing or blinking, it moves across the eye. This third eye’s job is to produce tears. It’s where the tear gland is located.

If the third eyelid comes up, what’s called “prolapse,” there’s a problem. It should never be prominent when the cat is alert. A prolapsed third eyelid could signal several health problems. These include:

• Intestinal upset
• Eye disease
• Fever
• Dehydration
• Nerve Damage to the face

Watery Eyes

Just like humans, some cats have watery eyes. There are several reasons your cat’s eyes could be watering. Several reasons include:

• Blocked tear ducts
• Allergies
• Overproduction of tears
• Viral conjunctivitis

Also, consider a contaminant that could have entered your kitty’s eye. In that case, they would only need a rinse. Some rinses that are rated well include:

• Nutri-Vet Eye Rinse for Cats—This rinse reduces eye irritation and helps eliminate tears. It also removes debris.
• Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Pet Eye Wash—Provides safe and effective relief to your kitty’s eye irritations. It can be used to remove debris for regular eye care.
• Miracle Care Eye Clear Sterile Eye Wash—These don’t drop, although they do come in eye drop form, these are eyewash pads. They allow you to treat your kitty fast and with ease. There’s less waste while applying.

Corneal Disorders

The cat’s cornea can become injured. It may be inflamed or even ulcerated. You will note cloudiness. There may also be blinking and increased tear production.    

Keep an eye on your kitty’s eyes and help keep them in the best shape possible. If you ever have any doubts as to the cause of your cat’s eye discomfort, please seek out a veterinarian.                                                                           

Other Cat Eye Colors

How and why do cats have different colored eyes? It starts with the iris. The iris contains eye color. It has two layers called the epithelium and the stroma. These layers have melanocytes. The colors that the iris can create in cats are:

1. Blue
2. Orange/yellow
3. Green
4. Odd-eyed 

Blue

Blue eyes develop because the iris doesn’t contain any melanin. Fur color doesn’t necessarily dictate eye color, but white is the most associated with blue eyes. 

Orange/yellow

The pigment in the iris and the way it reflects off their eyes gives the cat that orange hue. These are most associated with black cats. Although not all black cats have orange eyes. Some colors include:

• Hazel
• Green
• Copper
• Yellow

But orange eyes are the most dominant. It’s what gives them that eerie Halloween look.

Green

Similar to blue-eyed cats, cats with green eyes lack melanin. They’re not totally without it, but it does affect their eye color. Breeds that are famous for having green eyes include:

• Russian Blue
• Tonkinese (aqua-colored but we’ll put them here)
• Chinchilla Persian

Besides our sweet domestic cats, the Jaguar also has brilliant green eyes.

Odd-eyed

This is a cat that is born with one blue eye, while the other eye is a different color. Although predominantly found in white cats, it can be found in any fur color. The cat must have the white spotting gene in order to have this phenomenon occur. A condition is a form of complete heterochromia. This can be caused by:

• Heredity
• Disease
• Injury

The majority of the time, it is genetic. It is interesting to note that this can also occur in humans. 

Final Thoughts

Some of the characteristics of the Birman are their silky fur and beautiful points. But they are mostly known for those sweet sapphire-like eyes. Treasure them and take care of them. You’ll have them gazing at you for a long time.