A cat's eyes are undoubtedly one of the most striking parts of its body. Besides being very expressive, They allow you to see in very little light.Something that no human being can do without a night vision device.
When they're not healthy, it's easy to worry; in fact, this is what every responsible caregiver should be doing. So, if you're wondering Why are my cat's eyes watering?Next, we'll tell you What are the possible causes, how to recognize them, and what can you do? in each case to protect your eye health.
Is it normal for my cat's eyes to water?
A slight brightness in the eyes or a small amount of discharge upon waking can be something punctual and physiologicalTears serve to hydrate, lubricate and cleanse the eye, eliminating dust and small particles from the environment.
However, It's not normal for a cat to have constant tears.that the hair around the eye is always wet or stained, or that yellowish or greenish tears appear. When this occurs, there is usually an irritation, a blocked tear duct, or an eye disease which should be assessed quickly.
It is also important to check if one eye or both eyes waterWhen only one eye is affected, the problem is often localized (a foreign body, a minor scratch). If both eyes show discharge or redness, it is usually a sign of... infections, allergies, or systemic problems that require veterinary care.
Allergies
Our furry friend can have allergy to anything in the environment: pollen, dust, tobacco smoke, cleaning products, perfumes, or even its sandWhen that happens, the body reacts with sneezing, coughing, itching and watery eyesSometimes redness of the eyes is also observed, and the cat rubs itself with its paws or against the furniture.
In many allergic cats, tears are clear and wateryThe eyes are not greenish or yellowish in color, but the tearing may be persistent. It is also common for the symptoms to worsen. at certain times or when using very dusty sand or sand with perfumes.
To know for sure if it's an allergy, you need to take your pet to the vet for the necessary tests to rule out other conditions. In the meantime, it's advisable minimize dust, smoke and aerosols at home, as well as switching to sands that are not very dusty and have no fragrance.
Infection
The cat, like human beings, can fall ill from time to time throughout its life. Vaccination, high-quality food (without grains or by-products) and a safe environment where it is cared for with care can greatly reduce the risk of this happening. But it is a living being and viruses and bacteria can infect you at any time.
Among the most frequent infections are the conjunctivitis and viral respiratory infections (such as feline herpesvirus and calicivirus), which often present with Red eyes, excessive tearing, and thick secretionsWhen tears are yellow or greenish, or have a bad smell, there is usually a bacterial infection that requires specific treatment.
In these cases, other signs may also appear, such as boogersSneezing, fever, lethargy, or loss of appetite are common symptoms. It's important to take your pet to the vet so they can determine the cause of the infection and begin treatment, if necessary. antibiotics, antivirals, anti-inflammatories, or other drugsalways prescribed by a professional.
It is not advisable to use Eye drops for humans or home remedies without veterinary advicebecause 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, there is an excess of tears that remain around the eyeOver time, the skin becomes irritated and a moist area appears, sometimes with reddish-brown spots in the hair.
If it's not cleaned and treated, a scab will eventually form and the surrounding skin may become inflamed. Some cats, especially those from flattened face like Persians or exoticsThey 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 him to the vet. In some cases, no further treatment may be required. regular cleaning and surveillanceBut if you're losing vision, if there's significant swelling, or if an eyelash is growing inwards, it may be necessary. Flushing the canal with special instruments or resorting to surgery.
The professional will assess whether it is necessary to provide you with antibiotics, anti-inflammatories or, as a last resort, remove the eyelash or correct the eyelid defect through surgery.
Strange object
If the cat leads a completely normal life and has healthy eyes, that is, they are not red or appear to have an infection, it is most likely that just have something insidesuch as 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.
In these cases, tears are usually clear and not abundantAlthough at first 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 Besides observing, in a matter of minutes to a few hours the animal will have managed to get rid of that discomfort thanks to blinking and its own tearing. As support, one can Gently clean the outer area of ​​the eye with a gauze soaked in physiological saline solution, always from the inside out and using a different gauze for each eye.
Even so, if the problem persists for more than a day, the eye becomes red, the cat keeps its eye closed, or colored discharge appears, it will be necessary to take it to the vet to rule out other causes. 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 to go 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 performing a gentle cleansing of the eye areaespecially if eye discharge accumulates or tears stain the fur.
To do it safely, use sterile gauze and physiological saline solution or boiled and lukewarm water. Avoid cotton and lint-free papers, as they 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 do not use the same gauze for both eyes in case there was an infection in one of them.
These household care items are useful for relieve minor irritations and maintain hygieneHowever, 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 pet might have more eye discharge than normal. 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 way, we can ensure that get diagnosed soon and begin proper treatment The sooner the better, thus protecting our cat's vision and well-being.
