Ojos Azules: blue-eyed miracle

History of the origin of the breed

Ojos azules (from Spanish Ojos azules) are representatives of the cat world, about which we can say that they are completely devoid of shortcomings. These American, blue-eyed kittens fall into the soul from the very first sight; not a single person can remain indifferent to a pet with such an intelligent and piercing gaze. Even Siamese do not always have rich blue eyes, more often white-blue or heavenly. It is believed that all cats with blue eyes are relatives of the Siamese or Angora to a greater or lesser extent. However, Ojos Azules does not have Siamese and Angora “impurities” and is a recognized cat breed in the world that carries the blue eye gene.

The first historical information about these unusually beautiful cats dates back to the late 70s of the last century. Around that time, in the American state of New Mexico, there lived the most ordinary and unremarkable yard cat and her name was Cornflower. She had an average body size, short tortoiseshell-colored fur - everything was like everyone else. But still, one feature was noticed in this cat - its eyes, it was they that attracted the attention of everyone who met the animal. They were painted in a superb, rich blue color - the color of the sea.

Ojos azules - cats with a delightful look

In 1984, geneticists confirmed that the “blue-eyes” living in the state of New Mexico carry a special, essentially unique gene. They conducted an experiment in which they crossed a cat with ordinary cats, and as a result it turned out that the mother’s color was passed on to the kittens, which means the gene was dominant. This scientific fact was taken into account, but the official standard for the new breed was drawn up and recognized 7 years later.

Fact! The genetic eye color of Ojos Azules is not related to the gene for body color or pattern. Therefore, these cats do not suffer from deafness and other problems related to eye color.

In 1991, a new breed was registered. It received the official name "Ojos Azules". Until now, the breed is at the stage of genotype formation.

Later it turned out that blue-eyed cats are found not only in America, but also in other parts of the world. For example, in the UK, Australia, New Zealand. But there are so few of them that by 1992, felinological organizations noted the presence of only 10 individuals. Traveling on ships as stray animals or as pets with their owners, they found themselves in new regions. Perhaps this is how attractive cats got to other continents.

History of the breed

Looking at the photo of Ojos Azules, you can notice one distinctive feature: all representatives of the breed have eyes of a delicate heavenly color, and from Spanish Ojos azules is translated as “blue eyes”. The dominant So gene is responsible for this trait and for the appearance of white spots on the coat. In terms of other qualities, Ojos Azules practically do not stand out among other cats.

Light blue eye color is rarely found in non-Siamese cats, but Ojos Azules always have blue eyes, which is what felinologists from the USA paid attention to. Specialists began working on the reproduction and improvement of individuals, and soon positive results awaited them. The first cat of this breed was Conflow in 1984. Her fur was tortoiseshell in color, and her name translated as “cornflower” in honor of the bright blue shade of her eyes.

It is worth noting that long-haired individuals are classified as Ojos Azules Longhair.

In 1991, TICA registered the Ojos Azules standard. In 1992, there were only 10 purebred representatives. In 2004, the breed received the PNB class.

Representatives of this breed mainly live in the USA, but are also found in Russia, where the cat is called the “Altai Blue-Eyes”.

But still, there are very few individuals, and it is quite difficult to buy a purebred Ojos Azules kitten.

Appearance Standards

Determining whether a pet belongs to the Ojos Azules breed is not difficult for breeders, although at first glance, there is nothing special about such cats.

Color and coat type

Ojos Azules shorthair cats have soft, delicate and silky fur, clean and shiny. The undercoat is almost invisible, but in light colors it may be a little more abundant.

Long-haired cats have medium length, moderate density, and silky texture. A moderately thick collar and ruffles may be present, but this is not essential. The tail is completely feathered. The “pants” on the hind legs may be shaggy.

There is only one “bottleneck” in the color palette of the breed - the cat should not be white or Himalayan in color. Ojos azules always have at least one white spot on their body. They can be red, black, in solid, tortoiseshell and silver colors there may be spots on the paws, tip of the tail and on the muzzle, and if the tip of the tail is white, then white is also allowed in the main coat color.

Ojus azules black

Size and weight

Size can vary from medium to large, as can weight. All this depends on heredity, lifestyle and nutrition. On average, weight ranges from 3 to 5 kg, cats are slightly smaller than males. At the same time, height varies around 24-27 cm.

Anatomical features

Ojos Azules - graceful and graceful

Description of the Ojos Azules breed

The color of the breed is varied and can be of any type, except color point. White coat color and many spots of this color are also not allowed. Cats can be short-haired or long-haired, but both types have a weak undercoat and a shiny, soft coat.

The body is flexible, graceful, but strong. The chest is large and developed. Although the cat is not muscular, it is physically quite strong. The paws are compact. The croup is raised, making the cat’s gait a little “wild.” The tail is narrowed and pointed at the end.

The head is small and resembles a triangle. The ears are set wide and rounded. And of course the animal’s eyes, which so emphasize the individuality of the cat in the photo. Medium, oval in shape and slightly slanted, but not depressed. Even representatives of the Siamese breed cannot boast of eyes with such a deep shade of sea green.

But the most amazing thing is that absolutely any cat can belong to this breed if:

• The cat has no Siamese or Himalayan relatives.
• The animal produces blue-eyed offspring.
• The wool does not have a large area of ​​white color. Small white markings may be present (exceptions include the chest and belly), but only if the tip of the tail is also white.
• The pet has blue eyes, heterochromia with a second yellow or green eye is allowed. A gray-blue tint may be allowed, but it is a significant disadvantage for breeding.
• The cat meets the breed standard in all respects.

The SO gene, which is responsible for the eye color of Ojos Azules, although does not cause deafness, can lead to such terrible defects as: a curled short tail, a fatal abnormality of the skull and the birth of stillborn kittens. To prevent this, TICA prohibits the mixing of two blue-eyed representatives of this breed. It is recommended to crossbreed with animals with copper or green eyes. As a result, only half of the kittens will have blue eyes, but pathologies will be excluded.

The maximum weight of individuals of the breed rarely reaches 5 kg. The lifespan of a cat is not long and is only 10-12 years.

Character

The main psychological traits of attractive pets are a balanced temperament and a peaceful nature. Animals prefer peace and quiet to a greater extent. These animals are extremely kind, sometimes one gets the impression that the Ojos Azules simply radiate some kind of unearthly harmony and peace. They are very affectionate and friendly towards new people in the house. Sociability and at the same time love for the owner are perfectly combined in the character of the Ojos. At the same time, cats are very tactful: if a person is busy and does not pay attention to the pet, he will not bother you and demand attention to himself.

Ojos Azules are good with small children and can be a great friend for them, as long as the child does not behave inappropriately towards the cat.

As for other animals in the house, you don’t have to worry too much about their overall living; Ojos Azules can easily find a common language with other cats or dogs, and they will become bosom friends in no time, but it’s better to remove birds and, more importantly, rodents from his eyes. His hunting instincts, of course, do not rush out, but still, a cat is a cat and, having played too much, it can attack a hamster or a parrot, even if not out of malice, but the result of such a game may not be pleasant.

And even just looking at the photo of this cat, you can feel the warmth.

Ojos Azules is a gentle and peaceful creature.

Character of the breed

Ojos Azules are peaceful, calm and balanced. They treat other pets living with them well. They are friends with them and sleep together. They are loyal to children: they will not babysit them, but they will not scratch them either. They do not like excessive importunity, so at the first opportunity they will run away or hide.

These cats are affectionate, gentle, good-natured and not at all prone to aggression.

It should be noted that the breed is very sensitive, so if there is a negative atmosphere in the family and scandals often occur, the pet will feel dejected and may fall into deep depression. The cat also gets tired quickly from noisy large families and hyperactive children. You can get an animal only if there are no aggressive pets in the house. He won't be able to live with them.

Ojos Azules are a delicate and sophisticated cat breed. Pets easily catch the mood of the owner and will never bother him if he is not in a good mood at that time. If the owner is sad, the cat will always come to console him and will purr gently while sitting on his lap. Too intense displays of love can scare away the animal. But inattention and loneliness are also poorly tolerated by them. It is better to maintain the golden mean, as this breed is elegant and sophisticated.

You should not raise your voice at pets for no reason; they are very touchy. At this moment, the cat becomes apathetic and lethargic, or, conversely, angry and may even hiss. Treats won't help here. The best way to create a good mood for your cat is to play games.

Most of all, they love to sleep and rest much more often than representatives of other breeds. Ojos Azules does not like to climb to the top; more often it can be found on a bed or chair.

Animals prefer enclosed spaces, so outside they will behave warily and timidly. Therefore, if the cat senses danger, it will try to escape. The owner at this moment needs to be on alert so as not to lose his pet. Some individuals are better off not walking outside at all.

Cats study new people, like new objects, carefully and for a long time, and only a select few are allowed to pet them. Adaptation to a new place can proceed without problems if the pet is confident that the owner will be nearby.

Cats are very smart and smart: they quickly understand what their owner requires of them, and unquestioningly fulfill it. They are very clean and will never spoil furniture. Cats can even be taught commands and tricks.

Health

Unlike many artificially bred breeds, no genetic diseases have been identified in the breed! There is information from breeders that indicates that it is unacceptable to cross two blue-eyed cats! If you follow this nuance, the kittens are born healthy. All you need is to check your pet at least once a year with a veterinarian; a worm test is required every six months. When traveling out of town, protect the wool from pests by applying a special product or purchasing a collar.

Keeping and caring for a pet

Wool:

The difficulty of caring for an Ojos Azules depends on the length of its coat. But in general, caring for a cat is not difficult: its fur rarely gets tangled due to its silky texture, and its thin undercoat eliminates the need to clean the room every day.

• Comb out once every 2 days;
• For combing, it is better to use a slicker brush, and then a comb with rubber teeth;
• You can spray the wool with an antistatic agent;
• It is necessary to wash the cat once every 1.5 months;

Ears:

• Ear cleaning every 5 days;
• A few drops are placed in the cat's ear to clean the ears. Then the base of the ear is massaged for a minute.
• After this, wipe the auricle using a piece of natural fabric and ear cleaning gel.

Eyes:

• Cleaning the eyes involves daily wiping with a natural cloth applied to it with eye cleaning lotion, herbal decoction, or tea leaves or simply boiled water.

Teeth:

Cats of this breed often have problems such as the formation of tartar and inflammation of the soft tissues of the oral cavity, so hygiene is very important.

• You need to brush your teeth every 2 days;
• Use only a soft toothbrush and toothpaste;
• After the procedure, wipe your teeth with a soft cloth.

Claws:

• Provide your cat with a scratching post to prevent it from damaging the furniture;
• You can trim your claws as needed.

How to properly trim a cat's claws

Toilet

By nature, the Ojos Azules cat has excellent intelligence, and if these cats can be easily taught some tricks, then litter box training is a mere trifle for them, the main thing is to approach this issue correctly. Under no circumstances should you raise your voice at an animal, much less beat it, in this way you will achieve nothing but resentment and disappointment for your blue-eyed pet. If your kitten went to the toilet in a place other than the litter box, there is no need to panic; it would be best to sprinkle the area with lemon juice so that the cat does not go there again, and immediately take the culprit to the litter box and explain everything to him in an educational tone.

Ojos Azules - a clean breed

Character and behavior

Ojos azules are excellent companions, “family” animals. Balanced, not prone to aggression, friendly, with high intelligence and considerable patience. They are sociable, quickly become attached and love their owners, play with them, but will not pester them if they are busy with their own business. They live well both in an apartment (they can easily do without walks) and in a country house. They get along easily with any other household inhabitants and do not conflict with them. Guests will always be welcome, but not too noisy. They are playful, don’t mind entertaining children, and easily learn new things. Calm, gentle and affectionate, but do not tolerate loneliness well. They get used to new conditions (change of apartment, move to the country) quickly.

Diet selection

Ojos Azules has a good appetite. To maintain tone and natural activity, it is worth feeding in a balanced manner.

You can feed dry food. The food must be of high quality, with all the necessary microelements and vitamins. You can also feed natural food. But for good digestion, feed in a balanced manner, i.e. and dry food and natural food. Feed should be served separately from natural food: in the morning - dry food, for example, in the evening - natural food, or vice versa. Less carbohydrates and more proteins, i.e. meat.

An approximate ochos diet includes: 60% meat; 20% porridge; 10% vegetables and herbs.

What can you give from natural food:

• Meat: chicken, beef, veal, lamb, turkey;
• Vegetables: zucchini, pumpkin, beets, broccoli;
• Porridge: rice, millet;
• By-products: heart, lung;
• Boiled sea fish;
• Dairy products: low-fat kefir, fermented baked milk and cottage cheese (give no more than once a week), natural yogurt;
• Soft pork or beef bones and cartilage, but never chicken or fish.

What not to feed:

• Sweets;
• Salinity;
• Salty cheese;
• Smoked meats;
• Sausages and related products;
• Pork;
• Beef kidneys;
• Oily Fish;
• Egg white;
• Milk;
• Oil;
• Cream;
• Sour cream;
• Potato;
• Fruits;
• Legumes.

For dessert, additional vitamins must be given to a dish made from natural products.

Healthy vitamins should include:

• vitamin A, which is very beneficial for healthy skin, coat and vision;
• vitamin D, which has a good effect on the musculoskeletal system;
• vitamins C, E and B vitamins. They are beneficial for the cardiovascular and nervous systems;
• potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, iodine, protein and yeast.

Proper nutrition will ensure good health for your cat.

Interesting Facts

Many believe that all blue-eyed cats come from Siamese or Angora cats, known for the color of their eyes. However, the groans have nothing to do with them. Even despite the external similarity inherent in some representatives of the Ojos Azules breed with blue-eyed Siamese, these cats do not have a common origin.

Happy owners of Ojos Azules cats note their docile nature and ease of care.

They are very affectionate and get along easily with other pets. These are smart and understanding, calm animals, undemanding in care.

The only thing that the owners of Ojos Azules note is that it is almost impossible to purchase an elite kitten outside the United States, since there are simply no official nurseries in neighboring countries.

How to choose a kitten

If you want to buy an Ojos Azules kitten, then you need to know what the requirements are for each class.

The price for kittens starts from 30,000 rubles, but this is the cost of a pet. If your plans do not include taking him to exhibitions and making him a champion, then you will not be embarrassed by the baby’s minor shortcomings.

Breeding class kittens can have eyes of different colors, but one of them must be blue. Otherwise, deviations from the standard are not allowed. The price of a kitten is 55,000-65,000 rubles. Cats of this class are suitable for breeding.

In order to raise a champion, you need to purchase a show-class kitten, which will cost 70,000 and more. Therefore, it is better to contact a nursery that has a good reputation.

Although cats of the Ojos Azules breed have many advantages, they are not yet very popular in our country and neighboring countries.