There is an opinion that you should not look a cat in the eye. These animals are one of the most mysterious in the whole world. Cats are elegant, graceful and capricious creatures surrounded by mystery and mysticism. Why? There are many mysterious stories surrounding them. For example, it has been noticed more than once that a cat looks at one point, as if it sees someone there. In addition, some cultures believe that these graceful creatures are able to grasp the connection between worlds.
So why can't this animal make eye contact?
Top 20 cat breeds with big eyes
Big-eyed cats often have a cartoonish appearance. This trait is typical for representatives of several dozen breeds, among which there are both popular and little-known varieties.
British Shorthair
This breed of cats with big eyes was bred in the territory of modern England. It has a long and rather complicated history, and the first images of such animals date back to 700.
Britons are large cats with soft plush fur, full cheeks and huge round eyes of orange, blue or green. The coat of the breed can be painted in almost any color, including white, gray and tabby.
Big-eyed Britons are endowed not only with an interesting appearance, but also with a wonderful character. These plush cats are distinguished by their pedantic, reserved and slightly prim disposition. Big-eyed representatives of the breed are very self-sufficient, non-conflicting and full of self-esteem.
Persian cat
These furry, big-eyed animals were named after their historical homeland. Shaggy cats came to Europe about 4 centuries ago. During the existence of the breed, its representatives changed their appearance many times.
Purebred Persians are difficult to confuse with other cats. They are easy to recognize by their compact, squat body, flattened muzzle, luxurious coat of almost any color and large eyes.
Persians are affectionate and phlegmatic animals. They do not accept training and prefer to while away the time on a cozy sofa. These fluffy cats with big eyes quickly become attached to their owners and get along peacefully with other pets.
Ragdoll
These cats with big eyes appeared in America in the 60s of the last century. They were developed by crossing the Angora and Siamese. The new breed became known as the Ragdoll, which translated from English means “rag doll.” It quickly received official status and recognition from most leading felinological organizations.
The Ragdoll is a large cat with large blue eyes that can weigh up to 10 kg. Due to a special gene, his body, covered with half-length light hair, is able to completely relax in the hands of his owners.
The ragdoll's chic exterior is complemented by a wonderful character. This peace-loving, big-eyed cat quickly becomes attached to its owners and always tries to be closer to them. Due to his affectionate and gentle disposition, he cannot repel the offender. Therefore, physical punishment cannot be applied to this cat with big eyes.
Singapore
The ancestors of these big-eyed animals lived in the sewers of Singapore and would have been completely destroyed if several individuals had not been transported to America.
Thanks to the efforts of local breeders, cats were preserved and popularized. And already in 1981, Singapore had its first standard. And a few years later, big-eyed animals received recognition from many felinological associations.
The Singapore cat is small in size and weighs no more than 3 kg. Its oblong body with a long and flexible tail is covered with a short awn of brown or cream color with light markings. The Singapura's big eyes deserve special attention. They are almond-shaped and amber or greenish in color.
Singaporeans are endowed with high intelligence and active temperament. Cheerful, big-eyed cats are able to jump and play throughout the day.
Devon Rex
This distinctive breed of cats with big eyes was bred in England in the 60s of the last century. Her ancestor was an unusual female with curly hair, found on the streets of Devonshire. The very first purebred representative of the breed is a black cat named Kirli.
The Devon Rex is not large in size and weighs no more than 4.5 kg. Its stocky body with graceful limbs and an elongated head is covered with sparse wavy hair of any color.
Not only the curly fur coat, but also the expressive large eyes can be considered a unique calling card of the Devon Rex. They have a slightly slanted stance and are colored yellow, golden-green or blue.
Devon Rexes have a friendly and sociable disposition. These big-eyed cats are infinitely devoted to their owners, for which they are often compared to dogs.
Munchkin
These short-legged cats with big eyes appeared completely by accident as a result of a stable genetic mutation. Their ancestor is considered to be a black and white female named Blackberry, which means “blackberry” in English.
Due to the peculiarities of their appearance, munchkins can boast of several names at once. Because of their elongated body, the big-eyed animals were dubbed dachshund cats. And due to the habit of standing on their hind legs, representatives of the breed received the nickname kangaroo cat.
The Munchkin is a strongly built, squat animal with large eyes and a thick, not too long tail. It weighs no more than 5 kg and has short or long hair, the color of which does not necessarily have to be in harmony with the shade of the iris.
Munchkins are known not only for their interesting appearance, but also for their positive character. These big-eyed representatives of the cat family are endowed with a self-sufficient, unobtrusive disposition and high intelligence.
Scottish fold
The Scottish Fold was bred in the 60s of the last century. British shorthaired and outbred individuals with curved ears took part in the formation of unusual big-eyed animals.
Scottish Folds are cute cats with deep, expressive eyes and small ears, the tips of which are pressed tightly to the round head. The color of their beautiful large eyes strictly depends on the color of their coat. For example, black Scottish Folds have an orange iris, while Harlequins have a tea-colored iris.
In addition to their attractive appearance, Scottish Folds are endowed with a pleasant character. These big-eyed cats are distinguished by their affectionate, friendly disposition and excellent mental abilities.
Exotic
This bug-eyed, flat-faced cat is related to the Persians. It was bred by breeders from the USA, who hoped to expand the color palette of the American Shorthair breed. But contrary to their expectations, non-furry kittens with the appearance of Persians were born.
Exotics are compact snub-nosed cats with plush fur, an expressive forehead and wide-set large eyes. In appearance, they more closely resemble not a living creature, but a soft toy. The most popular representative of the breed was a Chinese cat named Snoopy. He managed to acquire an army of subscribers eagerly awaiting new photos of their favorite.
Exotics are cute cats with big eyes and a touching expression on their faces. They are endowed with a sociable, non-conflict disposition, a lively mind and natural curiosity.
Abyssinian cat
These slender, graceful animals with a long tail and ticked color are distinguished by extraordinary grace and aristocracy. Their short coat can be red, blue or copper in color. And expressive large eyes should be in harmony with the color of the coat.
Abyssinians are endowed with a sociable and playful disposition. These graceful cats with big eyes get along well with other pets and have virtually no behavioral problems. Clean and intelligent Abyssinians are easy to train and easily understand what is required of them.
Japanese Bobtail
This Japanese cat breed with large eyes and a short tail is extremely rare outside of its historical homeland. Its representatives are distinguished by a harmonious build and have a compact wedge-shaped head.
The body of Japanese Bobtails is covered with white hair with black or tan markings on the back and sides. The irises of these big-eyed cats can be blue, green or yellow.
Japanese Bobtails are sociable animals that love to spend time with their owners. These short-tailed cats with large eyes are considered excellent mousecatchers. They are very curious and actively interested in everything that happens around them.
Ukrainian Levkoy
This unusual breed of big-eyed cats was bred quite recently. Its representatives resemble sphinxes in appearance, but have soft cartilage at the tips of their ears. On the elongated triangular head of the Ukrainian Levkoy, large almond-shaped eyes with a sad and intelligent look stand out.
These graceful hairless animals quickly become attached to their owners and need constant communication with people. Big-eyed lefties are moderately cheerful, unforgiving and playful.
Burmese cat
This breed has a long history and Asian roots. Big-eyed Burmese cats are easily recognized by their small, strong body covered with short hair, neat round head and penetrating gaze. The iris color varies from dark amber to bright yellow.
Scottish Straight
These big-eyed cats are very similar to the British. They have a graceful build and weigh between 3.5-5 kg. Scottish Straights can have either short or long hair. Both varieties have developed undercoat. But the real decoration of cats of this breed are their large round eyes, the shade of which depends on the color of the coat.
Turkish Angora
The big-eyed representatives of this breed have soft, fluffy, snow-white fur. Their magnificent coat harmonizes perfectly with the iris of tea, orange, green or blue.
Unlike many other breeds, Turkish Angoras are characterized by heterochromia. And individuals with blue eyes often turn out to be deaf.
Maine Coon
These huge shaggy cats with tufts on their ears have not only an interesting appearance and a wonderful character. They are also distinguished by the expressive look of their large round eyes, the color of which can be rich yellow or green.
Canadian Sphynx
These hairless cats with huge ears look like aliens. And high, well-defined cheekbones and bottomless large eyes only enhance the resemblance to alien creatures.
Oriental cat
Representatives of this breed are close relatives of the Siamese. They attract the eye with their exquisite, sophisticated silhouette, huge ears that look like fans, and large eyes of a rich emerald hue.
Siamese cat
These graceful natives of Thailand have a long history, but in Europe they learned about them only in the 19th century. They are distinguished by a graceful physique, large eyes and a characteristic color-point color.
Cornish Rex
These big-eyed cats have an extravagant appearance. Unlike representatives of many other breeds, they do not have the usual awn. The traditional coat is replaced by a wavy undercoat, which, along with large ears and large eyes, is considered a unique calling card of the Cornish Rex.
Burmese cat
The history of these big-eyed animals began in Southeast Asia. In ancient times, Burma was considered sacred and was believed to be the reincarnation of Buddhist monks.
The other side of the coin
Cats were not always or everywhere associated with evil. For example, in Ancient Egypt they were especially revered animals. The Egyptians loved these graceful and independent creatures. Each pharaoh had a pair of cats. They were cared for and worshiped. The most ancient rock paintings eloquently testify to this.
Japanese emperors also treated cats with special reverence. In China there is a saying that every merchant has his own pet. If it is not there, it is a bad trader.
There is an opinion that a cat has some kind of connection with the other world, which a person cannot see. Using a special channel, the animal receives information. Agree, it’s not very pleasant to know that your pet chats in the evenings with someone you can’t see. However, there is no scientific confirmation of this.
Features of caring for cats with large eyes
Representatives of breeds with bulging eyes are predisposed to ophthalmological diseases. Therefore, they need special attention and care. A kitten with big eyes should be accustomed to hygiene procedures from an early age.
The glands of such an animal produce a lot of tear fluid, which leads to the formation of crusts. To prevent this from happening, the eyes are washed daily with special lotions in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Otherwise, the nuances of caring for such animals depend on the characteristics of a particular breed.
Big-eyed cats differ from each other both in appearance and in character. But they all have an expressive look that gives them a unique charm and charm.
Superstitions
Not a single researcher of mystical phenomena can explain why so many superstitions are associated with cats. According to some legends, they are messengers from other planets. The main goal is to steal the human soul. Therefore, looking into her eyes is extremely undesirable.
Let's remember literary characters. The famous Behemoth from Bulgakov’s “The Master and Margarita” - it’s difficult to call this hero positive. Who is Baba Yaga's constant companion? Of course, a fluffy cat. In almost all works, cats are negative characters. And this is not without reason. Literature greatly influences people's consciousness. Hence the prejudices.
Mystical side
According to it, cats did not appear on Earth right away - they were sent by an extraterrestrial intelligence that is present in another world and inaccessible to ordinary people.
Cats appear on the planet for a reason. They have goals:
- Transferring information about people and their actions to alien intelligence.
- Abduction of the human soul for extraterrestrial intelligence.
It is difficult to understand why alien intelligence needs a human soul. Anyway. The fact is that it is the cat that transmits information through a special astral thread. Perhaps the ancient Egyptians thought so, so they decided to treat animals kindly in order to remain on an inhabited planet. Otherwise, how could they build the famous pyramids? This obviously could not have happened without outside help.
