Ojos Azules Cats 101 : Fun Facts & Myths
Channel: Kitten Life
Date: 2020-12-16

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In today's video, we are going to talk about some interesting facts and myths about the Ojos Azules cat.


“Ojos Azules” is Spanish for blue eyes. Ojos Azules are non-white cats with blue eyes. Why is that special or different? Well, nearly all cats with blue eyes are white or have some white fur in their coats. So a cat with blue eyes and fur that is not white is rare. Or, at least, it is meant to be.  The problem with this strange breed of cat is that there are, in fact, moggie cats that are not white which have blue eyes. However, these cats usually have some white fur. A major cat association, The International Cat Association, TICA, accepts this cat as a cat breed. Yet it is basically a moggie with blue eyes.

A very strange thing is that TICA has allowed cats of any color and pattern including white or partly white cats with blue eyes to be called Ojos Azules cat. The Ojos Azules is no different from some moggie cats.


Here are a few interesting facts about the Ojos Azules Cat which will give you some further insight into its characteristics and temperament.


1. Ojos Azules Cat Breed History.

The name Ojos Azules translates to “blue eyes” in Spanish, and the Ojos Azules cat name is fitting because these felines feature beautiful eyes that are a deep blue color.

This breed dates back to 1984 when a tortoiseshell female cat named Cornflower from a feral colony in New Mexico had kittens. Those kittens featured the same intense blue eyes that she had, thereby proving that this unique trait was a dominant trait that could be reproduced.

What is interesting about the Ojos Azules cat is the fact that the gene that causes the intense blue eyes does not appear to be linked to any particular coat pattern or color. So you could, for example, have Ojos Azules cats with blue eyes and dark coats. But breeders discovered that dangerous genetic mutations are avoided only when the gene that causes the blue eyes is heterozygous, so the Ojos Azules cats have to be crossed with cats that don’t have the blue eyes in order to help ensure a healthy litter of kittens.

In addition to the blue-eyed cats discovered in the United States, a cat with similar characteristics was discovered in Australia, even though no Ojos Azules were imported there. Therefore, breeders think that the mutation might be spontaneous amongst domestic cats.

The International Cat Association first recognized this breed in 1991, and a few breeders continue working with it today. However, the Ojos Azules cat is considered a rare breed.


2. Ojos Azules Cat's Physical characteristics.

The main characteristic of the Ojos Azules cat is its bright blue eyes. In fact, the name "Ojos Azules" means "Blue Eyes" in Spanish. The depth of the color is even greater than that of Siamese cats, and it doesn't cause squinting, deafness, or cross-eye.  Also, it is not linked to the coat color, so black Ojos Azules have a very extraordinary appearance. There are no other cat breeds that can have such coat and eye color combination because blue eyes in black cats are genetically impossible. However, the blue eye gene in Ojos Azules is a genetic mutation, so the breed stands out of the common rule.
The center of the eye may be gold, copper, or green. The body of Ojos Azules is medium size and moderately stocky, neither long nor short, well-boned. The head is triangular. The nose has a slight break. The tail is in proportion to the body. The back legs are slightly longer than the front ones.


3. Ojos Azules' Temperament.

Since the breed is one of the rarest, little is known about the temperament of Ojos Azules. However, they are said to be active, friendly, and affectionate companions. Placid and docile, they enjoy spending time indoors. Usually, get along well with children and other pets except for boisterous and aggressive dogs.


4. Ojos Azules Cat's Coat Color.

The Ojos Azules cat could feature a variety of coat colors because all colors are allowed. The only exception is solid white, which is not desirable. So, for example, you may find an Ojos Azules that features a bicolor coat, or you might find cats that have tan or blue coats. No matter what, all of the coat colors will end up contrasting in an attractive way with the breed’s stunning blue eyes. And many cats will also feature white patches on their body, such as on the tip of the tail, on the face, and on the feet.