Cross-eyed Cats

**Lando** · 01-03-2003, 08:17 PM

Hi everyone,
Recently we found out that Cloey is crossed eyed for sure. At first we thought that she could just do it sometimes but she is actually cross eyed. I read in a book that it is an inheirted trait. I am wondering if anyone knows more about cross eyed cats. Do they have trouble seeing a certain way. i want to make sure Cloey is absoutely fine the way she is. Any info is helpful.
tHanks

-Lando

**Edwina's Secretary** · 01-03-2003, 09:37 PM

I don't know anything about cross-eyed cats but I do know that cross-eyed people see "normal." The brain just adjusts for the way the information is transmitted.

Julia Grant, the wife of Ullysses S. Grant (Civil War general and US President) was cross-eyed. She was offered an operation to correct her eyes. Mr. Grant objected saying that he loved her crossed eyes. So she refused the operation!

**Chinadoll** · 01-04-2003, 01:52 AM

Not exactly crossed eyed...but:
Scout, about a week after I found him:

This is my Scout. I found him at 11 weeks dehydrated outside my apartment door. He most probably was the kitten from one of the ferals that hangs around our apartment complex's dumpster. I was worried that he had injured his eye some kind of way before he got to me.

The vet said his eye was fine...most probably a genetic defect. (Although both the vet and I agreed that it makes him unique and cute) She said he does see out of that eye, but not well and he just compensates with his other eye.

The vet was right it was genetic. A few weeks later I spied another cat in our parking lot with the same type of eye. They were most probably from the same litter.

If you're not sure about Cloey consult with your vet. She probably adapted to being cross eyed just fine and knows no difference. She's a cutie. I bet she'll be just fine.

**Uabassoon** · 01-04-2003, 03:02 AM

Is Cloey a siamese mix? Lots of siamese cats have crossed eyes. Apperantly a while back it was a part of the breed to have crossed eyes then they eventually bred it out. My first siamese Zasper had crossed eyes. So, it's farily normal in the breed. They can see just fine, I really don't think it's anything to worry about unless you notice that she has problems getting around the house. Try putting your finger in front of her eyes and move it from side to side. See if both eyes follow your finger, if they do then she can see fine, but if you are still worried then take her in to the vet.

**wayne0214** · 01-04-2003, 04:10 AM

Does Chloe (Cloey) have blue eyes that are crossed? If so, it is a natural element with Siamese or part Siamese breeds, as Uabasoon has posted. My Tiger is also mostly siamese, but she does not have crossed eyes, although they are very large and expressive. Also, my Snow Cat (RB) had slightly crossed blue eyes.

.......wayne

**Barbara** · 01-04-2003, 07:34 AM

Meezers with crossed eyes look especially cute to me and I do not have the impression that it's a problem for them.
To my experience animals are much better in accepting things like that than we do.

**rosethecopycat** · 01-04-2003, 08:17 AM

How old is Cloey now?

My Snowy's eyes were not crossed at all, in fact I think they were turned outward a bit. Now, at almost 2 years old, he looks more normal. It was one of the things that made me fall in love with him. He looked a little 'dumb' and I don't know why I say that, but it was super cute when he was tiny.

Take a look:

**Lando** · 01-04-2003, 06:18 PM

thank you wayne and Uabassoon. that is what I needed to know. she is siamese mix.I feel much better now. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

**smokey the elder** · 01-05-2003, 08:48 AM

I'm cross-eyed, and I don't have complete stereoscopic vision, and have poor depth perception. However, I've been able to adjust to it, so I think Cloey will, too. Cats have the advantage that sight isn't their primary sense like in humans. As long as she's not bumping into things (like I still occasionally do when I don't pay attention), she'll be fine!