Do Siamese Cats Have Slanted Eyes – What To Know!

Some cats look more ornate than others. The Siamese cat, for instance, has beautiful blue, slanted eyes. If you couldn’t tell a Siamese cat from another cat based on its coat, then the cat’s blue eyes will be a dead giveaway for you. Every time you look at a Siamese cat, you wonder, do Siamese cats have slanted eyes?

Siamese cats have slanted eyes. The eyes slant upward from the nose to the ears, creating a defining feature of the cat. Your Siamese cat’s slanted eyes do not have any special meaning or reasoning and are an inherited trait.

The eyes of the Siamese cat are a striking feature that is difficult to overlook for the average person, but you may not know a lot about their eyes. Stay with me as we learn more about Siamese cat eyes, why they’re slanted, and what the color of their eyes means. 

Why Do Siamese Cats Have Slanted Eyes

Slanted eyes are one of the identifying features of a Siamese cat, but slanted eyes do not have any specific function for your cat’s sight. It’s part of their traditional makeup.

Let’s not confused slanted eyes with your Siamese cat’s crossed eyes. Hang onto that thought, though; we’ll talk about that more later! 

Cats, like people, all have different characteristics. That’s why we have cat breeds, after all! Cats come in different colors; they also have different shapes, sizes, and features.

You will find that some cats have large, wide eyes that always seem to be peering into your soul. Other cats look almost tired with droopy eyes (think of those ragdoll cats!). 

Siamese cats just happened to be blessed with slanted eyes that accentuate their bright blue eyes. There are other cats with slanted eyes other than the Siamese cat, but it is really unique for them. It really is the perfect combination.

Are Slanted Eyes Normal For Siamese Cats

Yes, it’s normal for Siamese cats to have slanted eyes. It’s a defining feature of the cat. Although their eyes are slanted, there is no hindrance to their vision. In fact, when a Siamese cat crosses its slanted eyes, its vision becomes focused and they can see straight.

If anything, it’ll be rare if you were to find a Siamese cat that didn’t have slanted eyes. In that case, you’re likely dealing with a specific mix of cats rather than purebred.

Do All Cats Have Slanted Eyes

No, all cats do not have slanted eyes. Slanted eyes can be attributed to a select few breeds, and that includes the Siamese cat. Oriental cats also have slanted eyes. In fact, about 21 popular cat breeds in addition to the Siamese cat are known for the almond shape of their eyes.

For many domestic cats, the vertical slits are normal.

Slanted eyes are really helpful when it comes to a cat seeing what’s happening around them. They can see things well out of the corner of their eyes. In fact, the vertical shape allows for less light to get into your cat’s eyes.

Because of this, cats are able to see the things around them much better.

Why Are Siamese Cats Crossed Eyed

Your cat’s recessive gene for albinism also leads to Siamese cats being cross-eyed. 

We just talked about the recessive gene that Siamese cats have that makes their eyes blue, but we’re going to circle back to it to explain why your Siamese cat has crossed eyes too. 

If your Siamese cat didn’t have crossed eyes, they wouldn’t be able to see straight. Funny, right?

For all my non-scientist friends, here is what’s going on. Your Siamese cat’s eyes have a genetic flaw that tilts their eyes the wrong way.

So, what does this mean? Well, if your Siamese cat was looking straight ahead, they would see two separate images.

Therefore, your Siamese cat compensated for this by crossing its eyes to see straight.

There are more scientific explanations you can find about your Siamese cat’s crossed eyes, but I’ll keep it simple here and let you look into that on your own.  

Which Kind Of Eyes Do Siamese Cats Have 

Siamese cats are not prone to more severe eye issues compared to other cat breeds, but there is a chance that your Siamese cat will have hereditary eye problems.

We’ve already talked about how your Siamese cat may have that cross-eyed appearance. That helps your Siamese cat’s vision; it doesn’t make it worse. 

If you wanted the scientific term for your cat being cross-eyed, it’s called strabismus. 

Your Siamese cat can also have nystagmus. You’ve most likely never heard of this either, but it’s okay. It’s nothing extreme either.

Nystagmus is an eye problem that causes the eyes to shake or move back and forth inadvertently. This might sound scary, but you shouldn’t worry about it a great deal. It usually does not impair your cat’s vision and certainly won’t make your Siamese cat go blind. 

Are Siamese Cat Eyes Always Blue

Siamese cats will always have blue eyes.

Unlike other cat breeds, Siamese cats will have blue eyes, and they will not have any other color eyes.

Your cat may have other shades of blue eyes, such as a lighter shade that looks almost lilac, a darker, brighter blue, or silvery-blue color. Regardless of shade, their eyes will be blue. 

Siamese cats have blue eyes because of a genetic mutation that causes their eye color. 

Your Siamese cat lacks pigment in their eyes, which means that their eyes will not have any other color other than blue. 

This gene stems from albinism, but Siamese cats aren’t albino. It’s a recessive gene that mostly shows it through the color of your Siamese cat’s eyes.