Maine Coon cats are known for their muscular bodies, large bushy tails and long, lush hair.
Their beauty is amazing and you might find yourself staring into the eyes of a Maine Coons to see what they see when they look back at your face.
Purebred Maine Coon cats are large and have wide, wide-set eyes. They also have slightly oblique-shaped eyes. Official cat governing bodies consider gold and/or green eyes desirable. However, a white Maine Coons eye can be either blue or odd-eye (blue with gold or green). Blue eyes are a common characteristic in Maine Coon kittens. As they age, their color changes.
Parts of Maine Coon Eye
Five main components make up a cat’s eye:
- Iris
The pupil is surrounded by the iris, which is the colored portion of the eye.
- Pupil
The pupil is the hole at the middle of the iris through the light passes. To control how much light enters the eye, the iris adjusts its size.
- Cornea
The cornea covers the front of the eye and is transparent. It covers the anterior chamber, fluid-filled inner of the eye, and the pupil. The main function of the cornea is to bend or reflect light.
- Lens
The lens of an eye is a transparent, biconvex intraocular structure, which, together with the cornea, transmits light to the retina using minimal light scattering.
- Retina
The retina is a thin layer on the back of your eye that covers the inside. It is located close to the optic nerve. It is responsible for receiving light from the lens, converting it into neural signals and sending these signals to the brain to enable visual recognition.
Maine Coon Eye Shape
Maine Coon Eye Shape
If you are unsure if you are looking at a Maine Coon cat, take a look at the eyes. According to the Cat Fanciers Federation, (CFF), the Maine Coon has large, broad-set eyes. Their slightly oblique appearance means that their eyes should be half-slanted and not round. Maine Coons with narrower or more slanted eyes than the rest are less desirable. Also, dull eyes can be a problem.
According to TICA’s show guidelines, Maine Coons receive points if their eyes appear “big, somewhat oval or seem round when wide open.”
According to breed criteria, the “outside corner” of the eye should point towards the outer base. Acceptable in whites, particular blues, and odd-eyes.
Maine Coon Eye Colour
A Maine Coon’s outstanding features are evident in every way. They are large and beautiful cats with long tails, beautiful coats, tufty ears and beautiful toes.
We must not forget about one more striking feature: the Maine Coon eyes.
Pedigree Maine Coon cats are large and wide-set with wide-set eyes that are slightly obliquely angled. While shades of green and gold are popular at cat shows, Maine Coons may also have eyes with oranges or copper tones. Maine Coons can have blue eyes, odd eyes, or any other color depending on how much white they have.
Blue eyes can be found in cats with white or mixed-colored coats.
Maine Coons should have clear, bright eyes with equally-sized pupils. Any other sign could indicate a problem in your eyesight.
Blue eye & Odd eye
Heterochromia iridis is a condition in which one eye is blue and one is one of the more common colors. This is due to a genetic abnormality that prevents melanin being sent to one of the eyes to give it color. Affected cats have one eye that is blue and one that is colored. Odd-eyes can be caused by two genes. One causes white hair and the other causes partial-white hair. It’s only Maine Coons who have odd-eyes. Odd-eyed cats often inherit both the dominant white gene as well as the white spotting genes. It is very rare for a cat to have odd-colored eyes without both of these genes.
The third eyelid
Eyelids are also present on the animal. Hairs surround them to keep dirt out of its eyes. It is hidden in the eye of your cat, but you can see it by blinking. Externalization of the third eyelid depends on your cat’s discomfort, pain, and discomfort.
Maine Coon Eyelashes
This is extremely curious, as many people don’t believe that cats have eyelashes. It is not just this cat species that lacks eyelashes, but all cats around the globe.
Maine Coon Eye Problems
Maine Coon kittens are not usually affected by eye problems, except for myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, but it is possible.
You will notice symptoms around your eyes such as excess gunk, cloudy or squinting.
All bifocal animals face the same problems. The retinal diseases and conditions that can cause conjunctivitis, cataracts or glaucoma are known as glaucoma.
Pay attention to the following Maine Coon eye problems:
- Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye (or conjunctivitis), is an inflammation or infection that affects the transparent membrane between your eyeball and eyelid. This condition is characterized by redness, itching, and a gritty sensation in the eye. Sometimes, a crust forms on your eyelashes at night.
- Strabismus
Strabismus refers to a condition where both eyes don’t align in the same direction. They don’t look at the same object simultaneously. Crossed eyes is the most common form of Strabismus.
- Hyperopia
Overview. Hyperopia (farsightedness) is a common condition that causes blurry vision. Your focusing ability will be affected by how farsighted you are.
- Astigmatism
Astigmatism can cause blurred or distorted vision. Astigmatism occurs when the shape of your cornea (the front layer of your eyes) or your lens (the inner part of your eyes that helps focus your vision) is different than normal. An eye exam is the only way to determine if you have astigmatism.
- Myopia
Nearsightedness (or myopia) refers to a condition where you see things clearly near you, but blurry objects further away. This happens when light rays are reflected incorrectly from your retina, and focus images on your retina instead of in front of it.
Are there eye problems in Maine Coons?
Blindness is rare in Maine Coon cats. Conjunctivitis is a common problem in Maine Coon cats. Maine Coon eye problems can be prevented by making sure your cat is fully vaccinated.
Treatment
Antibiotics can be used to treat bacterial infections in the form drops or ointments.
Although viral eye infections are usually curable, they can be treated with the same treatment as bacterial infections when necessary.
Anti-viral medication may be required for severe viral infections.
Allergies
Maine Coons may experience allergic reactions that can cause irritation to their eyes, much like hayfever does for some people. Allergens include:
- Pollen
- Topical flea-control products
- Fragrance
- Cleaning products
- Mildew
- Mold
- Dust
Signs
An allergy can cause watery eyes, discharge, or redness to the whites of the eyes in cats. You may also notice a wheeze or sneeze.
My Maine Coon has eye boogers.
Maine Coon Eye Discharge
Cat conjunctivitis is a condition where your Maine Coon cat has a tendency to discharge from their eyes. You may also suspect that they have an underlying medical condition. You should immediately seek professional veterinary assistance.
Traits:
Maine Coons are friendly, affectionate, and goofy. They’re large in stature but big in personality. The Maine Coon is a companion dog and can sometimes act like a pack animal. They will obey commands and come when called.
What does the difference between cats’ eyes look like?
The shape and size of cats’ pupils can change depending on their mood and light. They are usually vertically shaped and look like slits. This indicates that they are content and relaxed. If a cat is excited or ready to jump, however, their pupils can become large and round.
Conclusion
The Maine Coon eye is much more than I initially thought. This breed of cat can have gold, green, and yellow eyes. Sometimes, blue eyes are possible.
This particular cat breed is not likely to develop Maine Coon eye issues, but owners shouldn’t assume that there will never be problems with their cat.
It is important that owners monitor their cats for any changes in behavior or eyes. Eye infections or cat stumbling.