13 Cat Breeds With Big Eyes

Cornish Rex

Often popping up on the list of curly-coated cats or best hypoallergenic cats, the Cornish Rex is no stranger to being at the top of specialty cat breeds. But this time it’s for the captivating gaze of this cat breed with big eyes.

The Cornish Rex has a triangle-shaped head which lends to the prominent position and size of its oval-shaped eyes. The eyes are often gold in color, though green, blue, brown, and hazel eyes are also possible. No matter what the eye color is, the breed standard indicates that the eye color should be “clear, intense, and appropriate to coat color.” 

Devon Rex

Similar to the Cornish Rex, the Devon Rex usually gains fame for its curly coat. However, this breed also has large oval-shaped eyes that give it an out-of-this-world look. The svelte body paired with the large eyes and wide, triangular ears mean these cats command attention when they walk in a room.

All shades of eye color are acceptable in a Devon Rex, though cats with a mink-colored coat will often have aqua eyes and cats with a colorpoint coat often sport beautiful blue eyes.

Singapura

One of the smallest felines also happens to be one of the cat breeds with the biggest eyes. The Singapura, which originated in the streets of Singapore, is TICA’s smallest registered cat breed and is best known for its large, expressive eyes and affectionate, playful nature—only adding to the cuteness appeal of these pocket-sized purring machines.

The Singapura’s almond-shapd eyes are hazel, green, or yellow in color. The large, wide open eyes are such an integral characteristic of the breed that the breed standard specifically states that small eyes are a serious fault for the breed.

Sphynx

Usually known for its hairless skin, the Sphynx is also known for its arresting gaze and nearly human-like expressions (and personality). Maybe it’s the lack of facial fur, but there’s no denying that the Sphinx will draw you in with its large and uniquely shaped eyes. Described in the breed standard as “lemon-shaped,” the eyes of this cat breed have a wide-open center that comes to a point at either side of the eye. While a variety of eye colors are possible for this cat breed, icy blue, aqua, and green shades especially highlight the big gaze of the Sphynx. 

Persian

Perhaps owing to the Persian’s small, flat face, the round, full eyes are prominent on this exotic-looking cat breed. Persians are also known for sporting bright blue peepers that strike a beautiful contrast with their long, fluffy coats. However, copper eyes or odd-eyes (one blue, one copper) are also possible.

Scottish Fold

The most distinctive feature of the Scottish Fold might be its ears, which appear to fold over and lay flat against the head. But not to be overlooked is the fact that the Scottish Fold has rounded, large eyes that, together with its ears, give these cats a quintessentially cute look.

The eyes of the Scottish fold include colors such as copper, gold, blue, and green and are notably well-rounded in shape. The broad nose in the center of the face separates the eyes.

Tonkinese

Gaze into the eyes of a Tonkinese kitty and you may not be able to look away. In addition to having large, rounded eyes, these cats have exotic eye colors like aqua, sky blue, violet, and gold. The breed developed as a cross between the Burmese, who also are a cat breed with big eyes, and the Siamese, which have striking coat colors and varied genes. Together, this heritage gives the Tonkinese big, colorful eyes that are unique in the cat world.

Burmese

The Burmese cat as we know it today is the result of cross of the native copper cat of Burma (now known as Mynamar) with the Siamese. In fact, all Burmese trace their heritage to a female Burma kitty named Wong Mau. Another feature that all Burmese cats share are large round eyes that come in glowing green or gleaming gold.

Russian Blue

The beautiful Russian Blue is also a top cat breed with big eyes. These cars have a triangular head with round, wide-set eyes that always seem to be watching you—except for when a cat nap is in progress!

What’s most interesting about this cat breed’s eyes is the fact that all kittens are born with yellow eyes. As the kitten matures, the eyes will slowly transition to green—the official eye color of this big-eyed cat.

British Shorthair

Nearly all features of the British shorthair are round, and the eyes of this cat breed are no exception. These cats have large, round, and well-opened eyes, according to the breed standard. Pictures of the breed often feature a blue coat paired with gorgeous gold eyes, but it should be noted that a wide variety of coat colors and eye colors are possible—including green, blue, and copper.

Abyssinian

The Abyssinian is an exotic-looking cat for many reasons, not the least of which is their large and expressive eyes. Interestingly, these cats have somewhat almond-shaped eyes that are fairly unique in the feline world. With a distinctive angled corner, they aren’t the typical round shape of many cat breeds with large eyes.

One of the unique features of Abyssinian cat eyes is a thin dark line that encircles the eye, providing high contrast to the often light green or golden eye color. 

Chartreux

The Chartreux is a cat breed with round eyes that seem to be always alert and ever expressive. A national treasure in France, the Chartreux cat has a uniform blue-gray coat and the eyes are also somewhat standard in color—ranging from copper to gold. According to the breed standard, the most desirable color is a deep orange hue that nicely accents the Chartreux’s blue coat.

Ocicat

Unique in its leopard-like appearance, the Ocicat is also a cat breed with large eyes. This frisky feline has large, almond-shaped eyes. They angle upwards in the corner and are somewhat wide set; there should always be more than the width of an eye in between each eye according to the established guidelines for the breed. Ocicats have diverse genes and the eye color can vary greatly with all colors being acceptable for the breed—except for blue.