Cats with Green Eyes [are green-eyed cats rare?]

Many different cat breeds can have green eyes and they are common in domestic cats. The color of a cat’s eyes is usually dependent upon the color of its fur coat and a pigment produced by the cat called Melanin. Although not rare, cats with green eyes are truly special.

When people think of variations in cats the first things that may come to mind are a cat’s breed and coat color. However, eye colors are a stunning distinguishing feature in cats as well.

While the color of their eyes does not make the cat, bright green beautiful eyes are especially stunning. In this article, we will be listing cat breeds that have green eyes including pictures!

I will also explain the genetics behind cats with green eyes along with some additional important facts about them. Keep reading!

Are Green Eyes Common in Cats?

Green eyes are a fairly common occurrence in cats. Although it is technically rarer than yellow or amber eyes in cats, green eyes in cats are still more common than orange or copper-colored eyes.

Green eyes are sometimes more common in cats of a specific breed such as the Havana Brown cat.

If you have your heart set on a cat with green eyes, keep in mind that a kittens’ eyes is often a different color than when they reach adulthood.

All Cat Eye Colors

Cats can actually have a fairly large range of eye colors. A cat’s eye color is controlled by a gene that affects how much melanin that a cat has in its eyes.

For example, a cat with blue color eyes has less melanin in its eyes than a cat that has hazel eyes or brown eyes. You could simplify it by saying melanin is like eye pigment.

Occasionally a cat’s eye color is linked to specific breeds, but most cat breeds can have a variety of eye colors. Here is a list of eye colors that can occur in cats.

Amber and yellow eyes (most common)
Hazel eyes (very common)
Green eyes (pretty common)
Blue eyes (pretty common)
Orange eyes (fairly rare)
Copper eyes (fairly rare)

In addition to these eye colors, cats can also have odd-colored eyes and dichroic eyes. Odd colored eyes occur when a cat has a different eye color for each eye.

There are cats with one blue eye and one green eye. Wow! On the other hand, cats with dichroic eyes have two different eye colors within the same eye.

Some cats with dichroic eyes have eyes that are half blue and half amber.

It is important to note that most all cats are born with blue eyes, and their eye color slowly changes into their true eye color.

A cat’s true eye color usually is established by 12 weeks of age but that can vary somewhat.

Black Cat Breeds with Green Eyes

There are many black cats with green eyes. Standard American Shorthair cats, Oriental Shorthair cats, and other cat breeds can have black fur and green eyes.

Both of these cat breeds can have a wide variety of coat colors.

Bombay Cats

Bombay cats are beautiful panther-like cats with stunning black fur and a muscular frame.

Although the ideal Bombay cat has copper-colored eyes, green eyes are possible in British Bombays. Green eyes are considered a disqualification for the American Bombay breed standard.

Regardless of their eye color, all Bombay cats are amazing.

White Cats with Green Eyes

Many cats with a white coat have either blue or green eyes. Although these cats are definitely beautiful, it is also true that many of these cats can be deaf or hard of hearing.

As a result, it is important to thoroughly do your research before purchasing a white cat with green or blue eyes.

How you would cope with a cat that can’t hear is something that you should be prepared for if you are planning on adopting a white cat with blue or green eyes.

Note: Don’t confuse a white cat with an Albino cat. Albino cats are extremely rare. Their lack of melanin dictates they will not have green eyes.

Turkish Angora Cats

Although Turkish Angora cats can come in several different coat colors and patterns. Turkish Angoras with white fur are extremely popular.

Turkish Angora cats can have a wide variety of eye colors, and this includes green.

Grey Cats with Green Eyes

There are three very popular cat breeds that can have grey fur and green eyes. The Russian Blue, Egyptian Mau, and Chinchilla Persian cat breeds.

Let’s take a closer look at these different and amazing cats.

Russian Blue Cats

Although these cats all technically have blue coats, their stunning fur does have a beautiful grey hue that is beloved by many.

Their breed standard puts Russian Blues with vivid green eyes as the ideal Russian Blue.

Chinchilla Persian Cats

This type of Persian cat typically has silver fur and bright green eyes.

As their name suggests, many people have fallen in love with these feline friends because of their Chinchilla-like appearance.

These cats can also have white patches of fur in addition to silver. They can occasionally come in a gold coloration as well.

Egyptian Mau Cats

The Egyptian Mau is a stunning cat with a truly wild look. In fact, this is typically what draws people to this amazing cat breed.

These cats always have a spotted tabby pattern and most commonly come in silver color. A bronze coat color is also acceptable according to the official Egyptian Mau breed standard if they have green eyes.

Brown Cats with Green Eyes

In addition to cats with black, white, and grey fur, there are several different breeds with brown fur that can also have green eyes.

These include but are not necessarily limited to Havana Brown cats, Abyssinian cats, and Norwegian Forest cats.

Havana Brown Cats

Despite this breed s name, the Havana Brown did not originate in Cuba. Originally from England, they were created in the 1950s after a Siamese cat was bred to a domestic black cat of a different breed.

The Havana Brown is an extremely intelligent and wonderful cat to have around, and their personality is just as stunning as their eyes and coat.

The Havana Brown has a deep chocolate brown coat and preferably striking green eyes.

Abyssinian Cats

The Abyssinian cat breed is well established and has a very long and rich history.

These cats are described to be both very intelligent and fairly energetic. Abyssinian cats are fun to have around!

They have a warm brown coat color with some tabby markings along the back, head, and around specific parts of the face.

Abyssinian cats have either rich green or gold eyes.

Norwegian Forest Cats

Norwegian Forest cats are native to Norway as their name suggests. They even make an appearance in Norwegian folklore.

Although these cats can come in a wide variety of coat colors and patterns, every Norwegian Forest cat has a luscious long coat.

They also have bright green eyes, and usually a brown coat color.

Other Cat Breeds With Green Eyes

There are some other unique cats that commonly have green eyes in addition to the others that we have previously listed.

These include the Sphynx cat, the Oriental Shorthair, the Maine Coon, the Japanese Bobtail, and more. Let’s take a closer look at some of these amazing cat breeds.

Sphynx Cats

There is possibly no other cat that is quite like the Sphinx!

This cat breed began in the 1960s after a hairless cat was produced naturally in Toronto, Canada, and after years of selective breeding the Sphynx grew quickly in popularity.

These hairless cats commonly have green eyes, but they can also have other eye colors such as yellow and hazel.

Oriental Shorthair Cats

The Oriental Shorthair cat is an extremely popular and common cat. These cats can have an extremely wide variety of coat and eye colors.

These cats always have a slender body and unique thin head shape, and they commonly have green eyes.

Maine Coon Cats

The Maine Coon is a domestic cat breed that was created naturally in North America. It is the official state cat of Maine.

These long-haired cats are both sturdy and beautiful, and they come in a wide range of coat colors and patterns. They can also have a range of eye colors, with green being somewhat common.

Japanese Bobtail Cats

Japanese Bobtails are a cat breed that is native to Japan and has a tail that is naturally much shorter than average.

These cats are described as playful and sociable, and they will usually want to be around their family.

The Japanese Bobtail comes in a large variety of coat colors and patterns. It is very common for these cats to have green eyes.

Cornish Rex Cats

The Cornish Rex is a breed of cat that is originally from Cornwall England that was created naturally after a curly-haired kitten was born in the 1950s.

After this kitten was born a breeding program was started to create more curly-haired cats just like him.

The Cornish Rex cat breed is the result of this breeding program. Their unique curly coats have made many cat lovers fall in love with them.

These cats can have a variety of coats and eye colors. Green eyed Cornish Rex cats are common.

American Shorthair Cats

Possibly the most common cat in North America, American Shorthair cats have a large variety of coat colors and patterns.

American Shorthairs have a large range of eye colors which includes green.

British Shorthair Cats

Like the American Shorthair, British Shorthair cats are very popular, especially in the United Kingdom.

Although most people think of the Blue British Shorthair, this cat actually comes in a variety of coat colors and patterns.

These cats can have many different eye colors as well with green being fairly common.

Scottish Fold

The Scottish Fold cat is known for its unique ears that ‘fold’ at the top. They have a short coat and long coat varieties and first came to the United States in the early 1970s.

The Scottish Fold’s eye color depends on its coat color and many with a silver type coat have green eyes.

Tonkinese Cats

To produce a Tonkinese cat you breed a Burmese cat with a Siamese cat. This unique breed is known for being very friendly and a great companion.

The solid coat color Tonkinese tend to have green eyes.

Good Names For Cats With Green Eyes

After bringing home your new green eyed cat you will need to give them a great name!

Here are some of the best names that you could give your green eyed cat.

Forest

Forest is a great name that will always bring the image of greenery to people’s minds. It may also be a great name for a Norwegian Forest cat if you would like to be a bit literal with it.

Lief

This name will not only make people think of green leaves, but it is also yet another great name for a Norwegian Forest cat due to this name’s old Scandinavian roots.

Emerald

Emerald is a great name for the regal cat, and this name will literally make people think of a stunning green gem every time they say it.

Clover

Clover is a bit of a sweeter-sounding name that is fit for a green eyed cat. This name derives from the green herb, and it is perfect if you would like your cat’s name to have a bit of flavor.

Sage

Sage is yet another name that is derived from a green herb. However, the name sage is a bit more mature sounding for the more serious cats.

Patrick

Patrick is a more classic and well-known name than some of the others on our list. However, it still fits with our green theme as it will make people think of St. Patrick’s day.

Jade

Jade is a classic name that is both feminine and beautiful.

Green Bean

Green bean is a name that is a bit more whimsical than the others on this list.

Conclusion

The color green is a common eye color for a variety of cat breeds. The color of a cat’s eyes depends on the amount of melanin (pigment) they produce.

The cats with the most concentrated eye colors tend to be purebred cats.