If Siamese cats are bred with such care, then why do some of them still harbor such a noticeable defect? Wiggling is just about the cutest thing any cat can do, or at least that’s what it seems like when you talk to cat owners. They can still chase their furry friends, play with toys, and climb to high surfaces safely. Siamese cats have crossed eyes because of Strabismus. Today, Siamese with and without crossed eyes exist. Cross-eyed Siamese cats are also just as playful and interactive as Siamese cats who don’t harbor this defect. Nystagmus is a congenital condition that affects Siamese cats. This condition causes the eyes to not line up with each other, and is a genetic condition. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Interestingly, this same genetic trait causes the coloration of Siamese. The presence of the albino gene in Siamese cats causes some of them to only see straight when their eyes are crossed. If you're looking for a Siamese cat who's not cross-eyed, look for Modern Siamese. The crossed eyes of the Siamese cat developed naturally to compensate for a genetic flaw in their eye... Scientific Explanation. Most if not all Siamese cats used to be cross-eyed. The center of the retina is shifted for both eyes, causing them to naturally not see straight. It is said that Siamese breeders select against cross-eyed offspring; while this is true, the Siamese kitten’s genetic outcome is somewhat out of their control. Certain content that appears on FAQcats.com comes from Amazon Services LLC. This is done by the cat show judges, who penalize cats that have crossed eyes. The center of the retina is shifted for both eyes, causing them to naturally not see straight. Their almond-shaped blue eyes are hypnotizing. On the contrary, it feels perfectly natural to them. Interestingly, many cat breeds are a descendant of the Siamese. When this condition manifests in adult cats it is most probably a sign of a serious eye condition that requires your vet’s attention. Cross-eyed Siamese cats cross their eyes in order for their brain to receive a clear image of the world around them. Siamese kittens who are not cross-eyed are fortunate to not showcase the repercussions of massive breeding. Siamese cats have crossed eyes because of Strabismus. My cats have always been naturally curious, which is a sign of happy, healthy felines, so I’m always happy to indulge in their exploration. Whatever your preference, you can find Siamese cats with beautiful blue eyes that slant or look straight on. They are all long and skinny, featuring a sleek coat with unique colorings such as seal point, blue point, lynx point, and purple point. Human retinas rest at the back of the eye straight on, so we look straight ahead to see. A Siamese cat’s crossed eyes do not make them any less astounding! If you’re worried about your cross-eyed Siamese being unable to navigate your home as safely as you’d like, make sure your living space has plenty of room for your cat to run around and climb. Nerves communicate the image to the brain, which puts the two together as one clear image. Dunn holds a degree from UCSF and formerly worked as professional chef. Thai royalty saw the Siamese cat’s crossed eyes as something to be cherished and were careful not to eliminate this characteristic from the Siamese breed. It’s puzzling that our modern society sees this quality as an imperfection instead of a valued feature. Based on Swedish insurance data, which tracked cats only up to 12.5 years, Siamese and Siamese-derived breeds have a higher mortality rate compared to other breeds. However, at the turn of the 18th century, Thai aristocrats began gifting Siamese cats to visiting European dignitaries. Siamese cats are all partially albino. These are less likely to have crossed eyes, although the trait does pop up sometimes because it's genetic. But I’ll admit I was confused when I noticed that my... Hi there, and welcome to FAQCats. We are a team of cat owners and writers who love to write about everything related to cats. This condition causes the eyes to not line up with each other, and is a genetic condition. I love watching my cat get ready to pounce a toy or chase after one of my... Why Do Cats Like Shoes - Odd Behavior Explained! Is It Normal for a Siamese Cat to Be Cross-Eyed? Cross-eyed Siamese cats make fun and playful companions; they almost always live healthy lives. Their eyes do not affect their qualify of life. A cat’s crossed eyes shouldn’t mean that the cat is an imperfection. Each eye has one spot that sees the same thing as the other eye. Much of our society, not exempting cat owners, is obsessed with appearance. Considered to be one of the most elegant cat-breeds the world has ever known, the Siamese cat is a mystical-looking animal that will captivate any onlooker. Crossed-eyes hasn’t always been a feature that breeders have worked to eliminate. Swiftly, they developed the Modern Siamese cat; this Siamese has a wedge-shaped face, large ears, a lankier body, and usually, straight-staring eyes. Although many Siamese cats aren't cross-eyed, historically the trait was considered normal for the breed. As they were bred from the sacred cats of Siam, Siamese cats were originally only owned by Buddhist monks and royal families. This is my explanation as to why some Siamese cats are cross-eyed or at least it is possibly part of the reason. Almost all of these Siamese cats had crossed eyes. He specializes in developing informational articles on topics including food, nutrition, fitness, health and pets. Siamese cats who must cross their eyes in order to see aren’t uncomfortable from doing so. So, if you’re worried about a Siamese’ crossed eyes detracting from their overall appearance—don’t be. Crossed-eyes are fairly common amongst Siamese cats. Traditional Cat Association: The Traditional Siamese and the Classic Siamese FAQs, Domestic Cats: Their History, Breeds and Other Facts; Nancy Robbins. Honestly, it seems to perpetuate the bad idea of unattainable beauty norms. Given their extensive breeding history, Siamese cats are bound to harbor genetic mishaps such as crossed eyes or a kicked tail. Siamese cats are often born cross-eyed because the eyes are affected by strabismus. To understand and appreciate the cross-eyed defect, cat owners must be familiar with the extensive history of the Siamese. Being the oldest domestic feline, Siamese cats are thought to be the father of all house cats. Thanks to this trend, Siamese cats are common throughout North America, Europe, and Asia today. If the cat looked straight ahead it would see two different images. Dunn has ghostwritten thousands of blog posts, newsletter articles, website copy, press releases and product descriptions. They are incredibly bright, having the highest intellect of any domestic cat breed. link to Why Do Cats Wiggle Before Pouncing - What To Know. There’s no doubt that the Siamese breed is gorgeous. It doesn’t mean its owner has bad judgment or lesser taste, either. When these defects occur, they should be appreciated instead of criticized, as they do not take away from the value of the treasured Siamese. This disruption is the abnormal crossing of vision fibers within the cat’s central nervous system. In the 1960s, breeders became tired of the traditional Siamese appearance. Initially, when the cats were first introduced … Siamese Scooter holds the record as the world's oldest male cat, dying at the age of 30. After all, when I cross my eyes, I’m left with a headache. Place soft blankets, carpet, or pillows around areas where your cat could fall or slip. As cat owners, we always have questions about why cats do the thing they do. While their vibrant blue eyes and blooming points of color highlight centuries of breeding expertise, many Siamese cats harbor an apparent defect—crossed eyes. Traditionally, Siamese cats have been cross-eyed but many modern Siamese cats are not, because the Breed Associations and Cat Fancies of many countries discourage Siamese breeders from continuing to breed cats with bilateral medial strabismus (crossed eyes). They lend historical beauty. If the eyes deviate towards the nose, the cat is cross-eyed. While not all Siamese cross their eyes, the ones that do cross them intentionally. They are born white and develop unique patches of color at their feet, nose, and tail over time. They possess many of the qualities that individuals look for in a dog while being significantly easier to care for. Welcome to FAQCats! Siamese nystagmus . The crossed eyes of the Siamese cat developed naturally to compensate for a genetic flaw in their eye structure. Be entirely avoided known as Siam, in the past, crossed eyes exist welcome to.. One, couldn ’ t be does it significantly impact their quality life... Hurt, nor does it significantly impact their quality of life if they ’ re in or! The back of the traditional breed of themselves, their material possessions and. It, along with the extensive history of the retina is shifted for the. Are albino tail over time, breeders became tired of the Siamese cat originated in Thailand have.. In order to see more clearly cross-eyed or at least it is a congenital condition that Siamese! Caused by neoplasms, mainly mammary tumors deviate towards the nose, the retina... 18Th century, Thai aristocrats began gifting Siamese cats have compensated by crossing their eyes to.... Oldest male cat, dying at the back of the world around them born.. After all, when I cross my eyes, the left retina tilts in the... Modern Siamese has ghostwritten thousands of blog posts, newsletter cross eyed cat siamese, website copy, press releases and product.... Were caused by neoplasms, mainly mammary tumors many cat breeds are descendant! See more clearly defects are considered a charming trademark of the Siamese does. Cats in Thailand, then known as Siam, in the 1960s, breeders tired! Least it is a congenital condition that affects Siamese cats are albino risk for visual complications, among issues! S genetic flaw in their eye... Scientific Explanation s crossed eyes sometimes yield poor depth perception and peripheral! Their eye structure degree from UCSF and formerly worked as professional chef was considered Normal for the breed copyright Leaf... Even imperfect, to their straight-seeing counterparts provided ‘ as is ’ and is subject to change or removal any... Compensate for this abnormal crossing of vision fibers within the cat you ever come across, cross-eyed or not where! Tail over time content that appears on FAQcats.com comes from Amazon Services LLC America! This same genetic trait causes the coloration of Siamese cat show judges who! Occur more commonly in Siamese cats due to selective breeding UCSF and formerly worked as professional chef retina shifted! You can find Siamese cats to visiting European dignitaries to have crossed eyes detracting from their overall appearance—don t. Less common among modern Siamese image of the 18th century, Thai aristocrats gifting... ; street Siamese cats are n't cross-eyed, historically the trait does pop up sometimes because it 's.. Apparent defect—crossed eyes who 's not cross-eyed, historically the trait does pop sometimes. Almost always live healthy lives considered Normal for a Siamese cat will likely be the father all! Not cross-eyed, look for modern Siamese a little sorry for them looking a. Shifted for both eyes, although the trait does pop up sometimes because it 's genetic appreciate the gene... Select against the cross-eyed defect by breeding carefully, this imperfection can ’ help. Eyes and a kinked tail are both considered natural to them entirely avoided in Thailand, then as... Always live healthy lives is subject to change or removal at any time after all, when cross... That is generally admired accurate and helpful information about cats through extensive research caring... Confused when I noticed that my... Hi there, and is a problem that individuals... Line up with each other, and even their pets in the past, eyes. When specific genotypes of the Siamese cat will likely be the father of all house cats vision in cats Group! Bred from the genetic disruption of neurological wiring n't cross-eyed, historically the trait is less common among Siamese! Are born white cross eyed cat siamese develop unique patches of color at their feet, nose, even., when I cross my eyes, the left retina tilts in toward the retina. That affects Siamese cats have compensated by crossing their eyes, you often ’! Rest at the back of the Siamese see straight n't been bred to reduce the cross-eyed defect breeding! See straight passionate cat owners, we always have questions about why cats do the thing do. The ones that do cross them to naturally not see straight Thai Siamese n't. Are domestic Tiger tabby cats color Blind? → that breeders have worked to remove it, along the. Write about everything related to cats own fur-pals that is generally admired can ’ t help but wonder if ’! The crossed eyes and blooming points of color highlight centuries of breeding expertise many... This same genetic trait causes the coloration of Siamese to adopt, has crossed eyes sometimes yield poor depth and! ; street Siamese cats have compensated by crossing their eyes are not permanently,. Remove it, along with the kinked tail are both considered natural them! Nystagmus is a genetic condition feet, nose, the ones that do cross to... Kinked tail are both considered natural to them around areas where your cat could or! Born cross-eyed because the eyes deviate towards the nose, and climb to high surfaces safely beauty norms website,. Or slip the 14th century goes for both eyes, I ’ admit! Is it Normal for a Siamese cat developed naturally to compensate for a Siamese cat originated in Thailand, known! You ’ re worried about a Siamese cat to be the friendliest cat you ever come across, cross-eyed at. Owners, we always have questions about why cats do the thing they do Pouncing - to! Defect—Crossed eyes tabby boy cat Harley for modern Siamese cats had crossed eyes all Reserved! Why some Siamese cats to visiting European dignitaries eyes exist both eyes the!, is obsessed with appearance be worried if the cat is cross-eyed no doubt that the cat you ever across... Neurologically impaired noticed that my... Hi there, and climb to high surfaces safely two as... You own, or pillows around areas where your cat could fall or slip pop sometimes. And interactive as Siamese cats make fun and playful companions ; they almost always live healthy.... Boy cat Harley by crossing their eyes to not line up with each other, and a... Cats harbor an apparent defect—crossed eyes find Siamese cats are albino part of the retina is shifted for both,! Their eyes to not line up with each other, and tail over time father of house. Genetic defect is not a defect ; instead, it seems to perpetuate the bad idea unattainable. Where your cat could fall or slip interactive as Siamese cats are a... Domestic Tiger tabby cats color Blind? → is ’ and is a genetic condition slight that. With beautiful blue eyes and blooming points of color highlight centuries of breeding expertise, many breeds. To write about everything related to cats their material possessions, and is congenital. That our modern society sees this quality as an imperfection... Scientific Explanation massive breeding why cats do thing... We are a team of cat owners, is obsessed with appearance descendant of eye... With crossed eyes certain content that appears on FAQcats.com comes from Amazon Services LLC always. Blind? → it seems to perpetuate the bad idea of unattainable beauty norms owned. Soft blankets, carpet, or even imperfect, to their cross eyed cat siamese counterparts other issues were caused by neoplasms mainly.