A cat's eyes are undoubtedly one of the most striking parts of its body. Besides being very expressive, they allow it to see in very low light , something no human can do without night vision devices.
When they're not healthy, it's easy to worry; in fact, that's what every responsible caregiver should be concerned about. So, if you're wondering why your cat's eyes are watering , we'll tell you what the possible causes are, how to recognize them, and what you can do in each case to protect their eye health.
Is it normal for my cat's eyes to water?
A slight shine in the eyes or a small amount of discharge upon waking can be a temporary and physiological occurrence . Tears serve to hydrate, lubricate, and cleanse the eye , removing dust and small particles from the environment.
However, it's not normal for a cat to have constant tearing , for the fur around its eyes to always be wet or stained, or for the tears to be yellowish or greenish. When this happens, it's usually due to irritation, a blocked tear duct, or an eye disease that should be evaluated promptly.
It's also important to note whether one or both eyes are watering . When only one eye is affected, the problem is often localized (a foreign body, a minor scratch). If both eyes show discharge or redness, it's usually due to infections, allergies, or systemic problems that require veterinary attention.
Allergies
Our furry friend can be allergic to anything in their environment : pollen, dust, tobacco smoke, cleaning products, perfumes, or even their litter box . When this happens, their body reacts with sneezing, coughing, itching, and watery eyes . Sometimes, red eyes are also observed, and the cat may rub its paws or the furniture against them.
In many allergic cats, tears are clear and watery , without any greenish or yellowish tint, but the tearing can be persistent. Symptoms often worsen at certain times of the year or when using very dusty or perfumed litter.
To know for sure if it's an allergy, you should take your cat to the vet for the necessary tests to rule out other conditions. In the meantime, it's advisable to minimize dust, smoke, and aerosols in your home, and switch to low-dust, fragrance-free litter.
Infection
Like humans, cats can get sick from time to time throughout their lives. Vaccination, high-quality food (free of grains and byproducts), and a safe environment where they are lovingly cared for can significantly reduce the risk of this happening. But they are living beings, and viruses and bacteria can infect them at any time.
Among the most frequent infections are conjunctivitis and viral respiratory infections (such as feline herpesvirus and calicivirus), which often present with red eyes, excessive tearing, and thick discharge . When tears are yellow or greenish , or have a foul odor, there is usually a bacterial infection that requires specific treatment.
In these cases, other signs may also appear, such as runny nose , sneezing, fever, lethargy, or loss of appetite. It is important to take your pet to the veterinarian so they can determine the cause of the infection and begin treatment, if necessary, with antibiotics, antivirals, anti-inflammatories, or other medications , always prescribed by a professional.
It is not advisable to use eye drops for humans or home remedies without veterinary guidance , as some products can further irritate the eye or mask a serious problem such as a corneal ulcer.
Lacrimal blocked
The cat has a tear duct, a small tube at one end of the eye through which tears drain into the nose. If it becomes blocked, whether due to an infection, scratch, chronic inflammation, or ingrown eyelashes, excess tears accumulate around the eye . Over time, the skin becomes irritated, and a moist area appears, sometimes with reddish-brown patches in the fur.
If left uncleaned and untreated, a scab will eventually form, and the surrounding skin may become inflamed. Some cats, especially those with flat faces like Persians or Exotic Shorthairs , have a genetic predisposition to constant tearing due to the shape of their skull and narrower tear ducts.
If we suspect a blocked tear duct, we should take our pet to the vet. In some cases, no treatment beyond regular cleanings and monitoring may be necessary , but if vision is being lost, there is significant inflammation, or an eyelash is growing inward, it may be necessary to flush the duct with special instruments or resort to surgery.
The professional will assess whether it is necessary to administer antibiotics, anti-inflammatories or, as a last resort, remove the eyelash or correct the eyelid defect through surgery.
Strange object
If the cat is living a completely normal life and its eyes are healthy—that is, they aren't red or show signs of infection—it's most likely just that it has something in them , like a hair, a small splinter, a speck of dust, or a grain of sand. The eye reacts by producing more tears to get rid of this object, just as our eyes produce more secretions when, for example, an eyelash falls in them.
In these cases, the tears are usually clear and scant , although initially the eye may appear slightly closed due to discomfort. The cat may blink more than usual or occasionally rub its eye with its paw, but without other general symptoms.
In these cases, there's nothing to do but observe. Within minutes to a few hours, the animal will have relieved the discomfort through blinking and natural tearing. As an additional measure, you can gently clean the outer area of ​​the eye with a gauze pad soaked in saline solution, always wiping from the inside out and using a separate gauze pad for each eye.
Even so, if we see that the problem persists for more than a day, the eye becomes red, the cat keeps its eye closed, or colored discharge appears, we will have to take it to the vet to rule out corneal ulcer, internal injury, or secondary infection.
Other eye problems that can cause tearing
In addition to the causes mentioned above, there are other disorders that can cause your cat's eyes to water continuously. Recognizing some of the signs will help you get to the vet in time and avoid complications.
- Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the conjunctiva causes redness, swelling of the eyelids, tearing, and discharge. It can be caused by a virus, bacteria, allergy, or irritation.
- Corneal ulcers: A scratch or blow to the cornea causes intense pain, a half-closed eye, sensitivity to light, and abundant tearing.
- Glaucoma or uveitis: More serious diseases that cause pain, changes in the pupil, cloudy or enlarged eyes, and in many cases, discharge and tearing.
- Eyelid abnormalities: such as entropion (eyelid that folds inwards) or misplaced eyelashes that rub against the cornea, causing constant irritation and tears.
How to clean your cat's eyes at home
Unless otherwise advised by your veterinarian, you can help your cat by gently cleaning the eye area , especially if eye discharge accumulates or tears stain the fur.
To do this safely, use sterile gauze and saline solution or lukewarm boiled water. Avoid cotton balls and lint-free papers, as these can leave fibers that further irritate the eye.
The gauze should not be soaked, only slightly damp, so that too much liquid doesn't get into the eye. Clean from the inner corner of the eye outwards, using gentle movements, and don't use the same gauze for both eyes in case there's an infection in one of them.
These home care measures can relieve minor irritations and maintain hygiene , but they do not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment when there is pain, colored discharge, marked inflammation, or persistent tearing for several days.
As we can see, there are several reasons why our feline friend might have more eye discharge than usual. Paying attention to whether the tears are clear or colored, whether it affects one or both eyes, and whether it's accompanied by other symptoms is key to knowing when observation and cleaning at home are sufficient and when a visit to the veterinarian is necessary without delay. This ensures early diagnosis and prompt initiation of appropriate treatment , thus protecting our cat's vision and well-being.
