15 Big Eyed Cat Breeds You’ll Absolutely Love

The big eyes of human babies mean we're hot-wired to like animals with big eyes too. You can't help but smile when those adorable big eyes gaze back at you.

So it should come as no surprise that a big eye cat can be irresistible to us humans. Whether it's a hairless beauty or the fluffiest cat in the world you seek, here are 15 cat breeds with big eyes you'll instantly fall in love with — along with what actually makes their eyes so large, and what to know before you bring one home.

15 Big Eyed Cat Breeds

Who doesn't want a cat with big eyes? If I had the choice, my house would be jam-packed with each and every one of these friendly felines. But alas, everyone needs to make decisions. So it's time to discover the best big eyed cat for you.

1. Cornish Rex Cat Breed

The Cornish Rex is a big ear cat with a head shaped like a triangle. As a result, its eyes are prominent and large. The eyes of the Cornish Rex cat tend to be a golden color, although that can vary.

Check out those ears!

The Cornish Rex cat breed has no hair apart from some down. Their coat is very fine and can sometimes get a bit of a curl. The lack of fur can emphasize those big eyes even more.

This cat breed is often compared to greyhound dogs due to their sleek appearance, not to mention they also like a long, lolling run. This is a very adventurous breed that loves to explore and will keep its playful demeanor long after its kitten days are finished.

You'll often see the Cornish Rex marketed as a hypoallergenic option, but that's a myth worth clearing up. No cat breed is truly hypoallergenic — every cat produces the Fel d 1 protein responsible for most cat allergies, regardless of how much fur it has. What the Cornish Rex does offer is significantly less shedding, thanks to that fine, single-layer coat, which means less hair (and the allergens carried on it) circulating around your home. If you're allergy-prone, that can genuinely make daily life easier, but it's not a guarantee you won't react — spend time with one before committing, and talk to your doctor about managing exposure.

2. Sphynx Cat Breed

The Sphynx, one of the most recognizable cat breeds, is famous for its bald body. These medium-sized cats have a striking appearance with hairless, wrinkled skin and large ears.

Sphynx Cat

It is also known for the somewhat intense gaze which emits from its large eyes. As another breed with minimal hair, those large eyes stand out even more on the Sphynx cat.

Though Sphynx cats appear bald, they may be covered in a small amount of peach fuzz, giving them that velvety texture. However, they do require moderate grooming techniques to care for their hairless bodies.

This includes weekly baths, as they do not have fur to absorb the natural oils their body produces. Another thing you need to keep an eye on is the sun. Like humans, this nearly hairless cat's skin can get sunburnt, so ask your vet about a feline-safe sunblock if yours spends time near windows or outdoors.

Sphynx Cat

What the Sphynx cat breed lacks in fur, they make up for in their personality. These hairless kitties are sociable, energetic, and love to play. The curious cats are mischievous and love a challenge, which teaser toys and puzzle toys can help with.

3. Scottish Fold Cat Breed

Scottish Fold cats are named for their unusual folded ears and striking, yellowish-orange eyes. These kitties just love to be around people, and their easygoing nature and great personality mean they get along with anyone.

Scottish Fold cat with yellow eyes

While they may be best known for those funny quips and folded ears, this breed is also characterized by beautiful big round eyes. Their eyes come in shades of gold, blue, and green. Add this to those fluffy ears, and you have one cute cat breed!

It's important to know that the same gene that folds this breed's ears also affects cartilage throughout the body. Every Scottish Fold carries this gene, and it's linked to a painful, progressive joint condition called osteochondrodysplasia — it isn't a risk limited to a few unlucky cats. Severity varies from cat to cat, but if you're considering a Scottish Fold, ask any breeder directly about how they screen for this and talk to your vet about ongoing joint care.

Scottish Fold Cat

As active mousers, Scottish Fold cats are playful, sensitive, and expressive. These joyful felines have a habit of posing in odd positions — sitting upright as if they were a meerkat, or spreading out flat on the floor or lying on their backs with their paws in the air.

They are moderately active and enjoy toys that test their agility and challenge their intelligence, like puzzle toys. Scottish Fold cats crave attention and make great companions, so expect to play with them when you get home from work or school.

Scottish Fold Cat

4. Burmese Cat Breed

The Burmese are friendly, personable, and kind kitties. With Siamese ancestors, these felines are playful and affectionate but not clingy. Burmese cats are often characterized as a "rock wrapped in silk" due to being much heavier than they first appear.

Burmese Cat

Their coats are short, silky, and low-maintenance, requiring a weekly brush or combing to remove dead hair. And to make them even cuter than they already are, it's a cat with big round eyes, which are perfectly offset by their silky and short hair.

Younger Burmese cats are curious and active, and as they get older, they become placid and prefer to watch rather than get involved in activities. You'll often see them in unique sleeping positions on a windowsill or at the corner of a sofa, snagging the sunlight.

Burmese cats are excellent jumpers and climbers and should have cat perches or something to climb up on. They love the higher ground, so they often look like the king of the castle overlooking their subjects.

5. Tonkinese Cat Breed

This playful kitty maintains its fun-filled instincts all of its life. They love to run, play fetch, answer the door, and more. Tonkinese cats are very social and much prefer company to being alone.

Tonkinese cat with a dark face

This breed as we know it today was developed mainly through deliberate crosses between Siamese and Burmese cats in the 1960s. These medium-sized cats can be pretty strong and have short, silky hair. This helps their beautifully shaped round eyes pop.

Additionally, Tonkinese cats have a range of exotic eye colors, from sky blue to violet and even gold.

The breed also has an older history: cats with this same chocolate-brown, aqua-eyed look turned up in Britain in the late 1800s, where they were known as "Chocolate Siamese," before all but disappearing from Western breeding programs. What we know as the modern Tonkinese was rebuilt in North America from Siamese and Burmese stock to recreate that moderate build and aqua-eyed look.

Tonkinese cat with aqua eyes

6. Devon Rex Cat Breed

The mischievous Devon Rex cat, or the pixie cat, is a loving and loyal feline breed. They make the ideal companions and get along with pretty much everyone, from noisy kids to new faces. Your guests may even get stuck with them on their laps all night.

Devon Rex Cat

This cat breed emerged in England in 1960 and is similar to the nearby Cornish Rex cat breed, though genetically distinct. Their large, oval-shaped eyes compete with their large ears for attention, but you'll often catch yourself gazing into their complex peepers.

These felines are intelligent, active, and require regular stimulation. Devon Rex cats are jumpers, and their favorite place is at head level, so perches and cat trees are a must.

The moderately active cat enjoys learning and playing fetch, so interactive toys will also help keep him occupied while you're out earning money.

Devon Rex cat under plant looking up

This indoor cat breed has a slender body with long legs, large eyes, and high cheekbones. They shouldn't be brushed as their fur is prone to breakage; instead, gently rub the Devon Rex cat with a cloth weekly to keep them well groomed.

7. Singapura Cat Breed

Singapura cats have captivating little spirits, ready to steal your heart away. These lovely felines are a playful, cheeky, and friendly cat breed. You'll often find them under a duvet cover or basking in the sunshine.

Singapura Cat

The Singapura is one of the smallest cat breeds, which means its almond-shaped eyes really pop. Singapura cats tend to look like they constantly have their eyes open as wide as possible.

With a similar temperament to the Burmese cat, they are full of mischief, affectionate, and extremely inquisitive. They even enjoy chasing balls down the hall or tap dancing on keyboards (queue the viral cat videos).

These fun-loving cats love people and get along well with other pets in the house — making them ideal for the indoors.

8. Persian Cat Breed

Persian cats are affectionate, docile, and gentle kitties. This breed has a quiet demeanor and loves to plop down on any soft surface and simply pose for your appreciation. These elegant cats are not very active, which makes them the perfect lap cat.

Persian Cat

This is a cat breed with big eyes and round faces, and their small, flat faces make those eyes look even bigger. Most solid-colored Persians are bred toward a deep, rich copper eye color, though the standard shifts by coat: silver and golden Persians are bred for green eyes, and pointed (Himalayan) Persians for blue. White Persians are the exception where blue eyes — sometimes one blue and one copper, known as odd-eyed — are common and prized.

Although affectionate, Persian cats are discriminative and reserve their attention for family and a few trusted guests.

This beautiful flat-faced cat breed does get along with children and other household pets. However, they aren't fans of loud environments and prefer serene homes where little changes.

Persian Cat

9. Russian Blue Cat Breed

With emerald-green eyes and a luxurious silvery coat, Russian Blues are a startlingly pretty breed. The Russian Blue is sweet-tempered and fine-featured, with long legs that allow it to run at high speeds.

Photo by Kirsten Bühne on Pexels

Those green eyes are large, round, and wide-set. This is another cat breed that constantly looks like it is wide awake. And to make them even more interesting, Russian Blue kittens are born with blue eyes, like all kittens — theirs then shift to yellow before settling into that signature bright green at around four months old.

This expensive breed of cat really enjoys playing and requires a good bit of attention when you get home. That said, they do enjoy napping in a quiet corner and tend to shy away from large groups.

Russian Blue Cat

Often demanding at mealtimes, these happy felines can get quite chunky if you're not firm. Russian Blues are another very intelligent breed, so it's important you provide enough mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy. You can read more about the breed on the Cat Fanciers' Association's Russian Blue page.

10. British Shorthair Cat Breed

The British Shorthair cat is a medium to large-sized cat breed with large gold, orange, or copper color eyes, a short, broad nose, and a short to medium coat. Daily grooming of these felines is necessary, especially during seasonal changes.

British Shorthair Cat

These lovely kitties are highly intelligent and are more than happy to stay inside and play with toys and people. Get some wand-like toys and start a game with your British Shorthair cat; it can be great fun.

This indoor cat breed has an easygoing personality and provides great companionship. While these cats love to play, they don't require hourly attention. That said, these cute fluff balls have a tendency to put on weight quickly, so it's best to try to keep them energetic and playing.

11. Abyssinian Cat Breed

If you're looking for an Asian-origin cat breed with big eyes, the Abyssinian may well become your best friend. These high-energy cats are always on and ready for fun. What they love most is being close to their owner, so they tend to be in whichever room you're in.

Young Abyssinian cat in action

This breed has a relatively small face, meaning its large almond-shaped eyes stand out even more.

This friendly cat breed is also known for its intelligence and love of a good climb, so be sure to give it a garden or a cat tower for playing. But most of all, the Abyssinian loves its human family.

This sociable cat likes company, so if you have a busy lifestyle, it might be better to get another cat or pet to keep it company when you're not there.

12. Chartreux Cat Breed

The Chartreux cat is known as one of the most polite breeds — not a word generally associated with cats! This is one kitty that doesn't like to complain and will be a friend to you and to any guest as well.

Grey Chartreux cat with yellow eyes on a couch

Their round eyes tend to come in shades between copper and gold, making them a beautiful blue-gray cat with big eyes.

This is still a relatively rare cat breed and a great option for a busy person living alone or a busy couple or family. It likes to play, but this desire generally comes in spurts. Chartreux is also a breed that's quite good at entertaining itself.

Chartreux cat, 10 months old

13. Ragamuffin Cat Breed

If it's a fluffy cat with large eyes you seek, this large and long-bodied cat is as cute as its name and may just be for you. Its soft and silky coat can become quite long and fluffy. This cat breed likes to be held like a baby and is known for its docile nature and sweet, big eyes.

Ragamuffin Cat in profile

Ragamuffin cats are known for behaving more like a puppy than a kitten. They love to play fetch, learn new tricks, and even go out for a walk. Ragamuffins are very much lap cats and will be at their happiest when close to their favorite people.

14. Ocicat

The Ocicat may resemble a wild cat, but it's a very playful and caring feline that loves attention. They are a medium to large cat breed with a smooth coat. Their markings are distributed across their body — and each hair on their coat contains more than one color. How cool is that?

Ocicat

The Ocicat breed began with a spotted kitten born in the 1960s from crossing Siamese and Abyssinian cats, later bred with an American Shorthair to broaden the gene pool. It was first accepted for Cat Fanciers' Association registration in 1966, though it took over 20 years of development before the breed reached full championship status in 1987.

Ocicat

Ocicats love to play and will see most items in your home as potential toys. They are also friendly cats who like to welcome strangers. Bear in mind that they don't like being alone and get bored easily, so a sibling is often a good idea. They are high energy and extremely intelligent, so they need lots of stimuli. Ocicats don't have any special exercise needs, and unlike many other cat breeds, they like water. Don't be surprised if they jump in with you when you're having a relaxing bath.

15. California Spangled

The California Spangled cat was developed to resemble a leopard, and the breeder isn't far off. A mix of the Abyssinian, Siamese, and both British and American Shorthair cats, breeder Paul Casey developed these kitties to highlight big cat conservation issues.

California Spangled cat

This breed's oblique eyes stand out against its slightly wild-looking face and are usually copper or amber-colored. It has an athletic frame with long legs and a smooth coat. Personality-wise, it's a great breed for families that loves to be involved and to demonstrate love and affection.

Why Do Some Cats Have Big Eyes?

A cat's eye size is largely down to genetics and breeding. Some breeds, like the Persian and Sphynx, have relatively small, flat, or hairless faces, which makes their eyes look proportionally larger by contrast. Others, like the Abyssinian and Singapura, have naturally large eye sockets bred into the standard from early in the breed's development. In hairless or fine-coated breeds like the Cornish Rex and Sphynx, there's simply nothing to distract from the eyes, so they read as even bigger.

The size of a cat's eyes on its own doesn't make it more prone to eye disease. What does matter is face shape and breed-specific genetics: extremely flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds, for instance, can be more prone to tear duct issues and corneal exposure, and some breeds carry inherited conditions unrelated to eye size at all, like the joint condition in Scottish Folds mentioned above. If you're set on a particular breed, it's worth asking a vet or reputable breeder what conditions run in that specific line before you commit.

Choosing the Right Big-Eyed Breed for You

With 15 options on this list, narrowing it down comes down to matching a breed's real-life needs to your lifestyle rather than picking on looks alone. A few things worth weighing:

• Activity level. Breeds like the Abyssinian, Devon Rex, and Ocicat are high-energy and need daily play and mental stimulation. Persians and Chartreux are far more laid-back.
• Grooming needs. Hairless breeds like the Sphynx need regular bathing rather than brushing, while long-coated breeds like the Ragamuffin and Persian need frequent combing to prevent mats.
• Family and household fit. Most breeds on this list, including the British Shorthair, Burmese, and Ragamuffin, are known for getting along well with children and other pets, but every individual cat varies, so meet the specific cat before deciding.
• Known health considerations. As above, ask about breed-specific conditions, and request to see health testing records if you're buying from a breeder.

Whether you adopt from a breed-specific rescue or buy from a breeder, look for one who health-tests their cats and is transparent about any conditions in their lines. Reputable breeders and rescues alike should welcome questions about a kitten's parents and any known genetic concerns.

FAQs About Big Eyed Cats

Before I bid you adieu, here are must-know answers to some poignant questions.

Are Big-Eyed Cats More Prone to Eye Problems or Vision Issues?

You'll be glad to know that eye size on its own doesn't result in a higher tendency toward eye-related conditions. Rather, issues such as cataracts or corneal ulcers can occur in any cat, but some breeds are more prone due to other genetic factors — Burmese and Persian cats, for example, are more commonly associated with certain eye conditions than average.

Is There a Cat Breed With Big Eyes and Small Ears?

Funnily enough, there is a cat with big eyes and small ears — none other than the Scottish Fold. These unique cats stand out thanks to their folded ears, which help emphasize their already large eyes even more.

How Can I Protect My Cat's Big Eyes From Infections?

The best way to help your kitty with any eye infection is to take them to the vet for a proper diagnosis. From there, your vet can help you with a treatment to help your feline heal.

It's also essential to figure out why your cuddle muffin got the eye infection in the first place. Your cat might keep their eye closed due to infection for many reasons, from harmful bacteria to viruses. So keep a keen eye on your kitty's eyes.

What Are the Smallest Cats With Big Round Eyes?

If it's a boba-eyed cat breed you're looking for, the biggest (actually smallest) example is the Singapura. Not only does it have possibly the largest eyes relative to its body of any household cat, but it's also one of the tiniest cat breeds in the world, typically weighing between 4 and 6 lbs (1.8 to 2.7 kg).

Final Thoughts on Big Eye Cat Breeds

And just like that, you have 15 adorable cats to pick from.

Each one has its own unique, quirky charms, but one thing is common: they all have big eyes. Cats are simply stunning creatures, especially when you consider they can see across roughly 200 degrees compared to a human's 180 degrees.

If you want to learn more about these fantastic felines, read about all the smells cats hate and why this is the case.