Blue eye & Odd eye
Heterochromia Iridis (odd-colored eyes)
White or part-white Maine Coons are prone to Heterochromia Iridis where one eye is blue and the other is one of the usual eye colors. The condition is caused by a genetic anomaly that prevents melanin from being sent to one eye to give it color. An affected cat is left with one blue eye and the other colored as both should have been. Two genes lead to odd-eyes occurring: one causes white coats and the other causes part-white coats hence it’s only those Maine Coons that have odd-eyes. Often, odd-eyed cats inherit both the dominant white gene and the white spotting gene. It is extremely rare for a cat without both genes to be born with odd-colored eyes.
Heterochromia is a variation in coloration. The term is most often used to describe color differences of the iris, but can also be applied to color variation of hair or skin. Heterochromia is determined by the production, delivery, and concentration of melanin. It may be inherited, or caused by genetic mosaicism, chimerism, disease, or injury. It occurs in humans and certain breeds of domesticated animals.
| Color Pattern | Eye Color |
| Whites | Can have either blue eyes, gold eyes, green eyes or the unique “Bi-Eyes” (One blue – one gold) |
| Silver and Golden (Including chinchillas) | Born blue, turn green, aqua or blusih green |
| Bi-colors (Including calicos) | Born blue, turn gold or greenish-gold |
| Tabby’s | Born blue, can turn gold or green |
| Chocolate & lilacs | Born blue, turn gold or green |
| Tortoiseshells | Born blue, turn gold (Orange or Yellow) |
| Smokes | Born blue can turn gold or green |
| Solids (Black, red, cream, blue, etc.) | Born blue, turn gold (Orange or Yellow) |
How do I know which ones will have different colored eyes by the time they are adults?
Below we have created an eye color chart for you to view which explains eye color. Please keep in mind that the colors may vary somewhat depending on each cat’s individual genetics.
Are blue-eyed white Maine Coons deaf?
Yes some blue-eyed white cats are deaf, much like albino rabbits.
Are any other types of white cats deaf?
A small percentage of copper-eyed white cats can be deaf. Some white cats who have one copper eye and one blue eye may be deaf in the ear on the side of the blue eye.
Are all white cats blind?
No, there is absolutely no truth to this rumor.