A tearing eye in cats
Perhaps you have observed that a clear or slightly reddish-brown fluid is running from one of your cat's eyes, leaving a trail on the face. Sometimes, small crusts can also form around the eye. If one or both of your cat's eyes are tearing, it can have various causes and can therefore be harmless or serious. Learn what a tearing eye in your cat may indicate.
Harmless tearing cat eye
Normally, the tear fluid, which is important for moistening the eyes, drains through the tear duct. If the eyes are healthy, your cat has a clear gaze and the fur around the eyes is dry. There is nothing clouded or slimy in the eye, and your cat does not squint its eye.
Epiphora is the term used for eye discharge in cats. If your cat starts to tear more, it can initially be a natural protective reflex to flush out possible foreign bodies from the eye.
Symptoms of disturbed tear flow in your cat
However, if you can observe a discolored discharge, redness in the eye, stickiness, or squinting, it may indicate inflammation or irritation. Other accompanying symptoms of disturbed tear flow in cats include:
- Tear streaks or matted fur around the eyes
- Sticky eyes
- Swollen eyes
- Increased blinking
- Redness of the conjunctiva
- Eye twitching
- Squinting of the tearing eye
- Itching (increased rubbing with paws or dragging the head on the ground)
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Ein tränendes Auge bei Katzen kann auf vieles hindeuten. Lasse es sicherheitshalber tierärztlich untersuchen.
Meanings of color and consistency of tear fluid in cats
Different consistencies and colors of tear fluid can indicate different health issues.
Clear and watery: Allergies, drafts, blocked tear ducts, corneal diseases
Bile-like to purulent: →Conjunctivitis, infection with fungi, viruses, or bacteria, →Cat flu
Bloody: Injuries
Brownish: often breed-related in flat-faced cats like Persians
When should I see a veterinarian for a tearing eye?
A tearing eye in your cat can be harmless and may disappear on its own after a few days. Therefore, observe your cat for 2-3 days. If the tearing does not improve or worsens, you should visit a veterinary practice. The same applies if your cat shows any other noticeable behavioral patterns.
Veterinarians often find many furry friends not so great. Therefore, it is all the more important to reward your cat properly after a successful examination! With our tasty treats, your cat will have a positive experience with every examination.
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Possible causes of a tearing eye in cats
If you are not quite sure whether your cat's eye looks normal, wait for a calm moment when your cat is relaxed and take a good look into its eyes. Pet your cat and try to gently pull down the lower eyelid. Redness of the conjunctiva, swelling, tear streaks on the facial fur, and stickiness are signs of something more serious.
Possible causes of watery or tearing eyes in your cat could be:
- Cold or heat, very dry air
- Sand or dust
- Contact with sprays and gases
- Foreign bodies in the eye, such as small hairs
- Rolled-in lower eyelid
- Infection from fungi, viruses, or bacteria, such as in conjunctivitis
- Blockage of the tear-nasal duct and drainage disorder of the tear fluid
- Inflammation or injury to the cornea, such as after cat fights
- Glaucoma
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Eine Bindehautentzündung ist für deine Katze genau wie für uns Menschen ziemlich unangenehm und bedarf einer speziellen Salbe oder Augentropfen.
How is a tearing eye in cats treated?
Depending on the cause of the tearing, the therapy varies. An infection with bacteria such as Chlamydia, for example, is often treated by veterinarians with antibiotic anti-inflammatory agents. These are usually a ointment or drops that need to be administered to the cat several times a day. A surgical procedure may be necessary for conditions like entropion or glaucoma.
Can a tearing eye in a cat be treated with home remedies - is that possible?
The only thing you can do to help your cat with a tearing eye is to keep it nice and clean. You can gently clean the eye with a lint-free cloth and some warm water. However, if you notice redness or other symptoms mentioned above, it is better to seek veterinary advice. An infection or inflammation of the eye cannot be cured with home remedies or cleaning and requires proper treatment!
Are there cat breeds that are more prone to tearing eyes?
Due to certain breeding characteristics, there are indeed breeds that are more prone to tearing eyes and conjunctivitis. These are usually brachycephalic cat breeds like purebred Persians or Exotic Shorthairs. Over the years, these breeds have been bred with increasingly shorter noses, which can lead to a blocked tear-nasal duct.
