Reasons Why Your Cat's Eyes Might Water
If your cat has watery eyes, or one eye is watering, it likely means the eye is attempting to fight off some health threat, such as a virus or a foreign body. These are among the serious reasons your cat's eyes could be watering. To determine the cause of your cat's eye issue, it's necessary to look for other symptoms like the ones discussed in this article.
Symptoms of Eye Issues in Cats
When you notice your cat's eye watering, monitoring their overall health and accompanying symptoms is essential. Here are some symptoms and potential causes:
Watery & Glassy-Looking Eyes
Allergies are common for cats and can lead to irritated and watery eyes. Common allergens include pollen, mold, dust, household cleaning products, perfumes, and some medications. Keeping your cat away from allergens may help clear up the issue. However, if you can't identify the cause of your cat's watery eyes, it's important to take them to the vet. Your vet can rule out more serious causes and recommend ways to make your cat more comfortable.
Blinking, Squinting & Pawing at Eyes
If your cat has watery eyes and is squinting, blinking excessively, or pawing at their eyes, you should visit your vet. Your cat could have a foreign body trapped and irritating the eye or a blocked nasolacrimal duct (tear duct). Although nasolacrimal obstructions aren't as common in cats as in dogs, they can result in tears overflowing and running out of the eye.
Red and Inflamed Eyes
If your cat's eyes appear red and inflamed, there is a good chance that your feline friend has conjunctivitis (also known as pinkeye). Other signs that your cat might have conjunctivitis include swollen eyes and increased sensitivity to light.
This common eye condition in cats can be caused by anything from an infection or allergy to feline herpes virus. While conjunctivitis can be uncomplicated to clear up, without treatment, it could lead to more severe complications.
Therefore, it is always best to see your vet if your cat's eyes have become red and watery. Depending on the severity of the irritation, treatment may include eye drops or ointment prescribed by your vet.
Sticky, Yellow, or Green Discharge
If your cat has a goopy or sticky discharge from its eyes, it is usually a sign of infection. If you cat's eye is watering but the discharge is clear, that can often indicate a viral infection, while a green or yellow discharge suggests a bacterial infection.
Early diagnosis and treatment of eye infections can help avoid more serious complications. Treatment for a bacterial eye infection may include ophthalmic antibiotic drops, gels, or ointments. Oral medications are usually unnecessary unless your cat's eye problem results from a systemic disease.
Obvious Pain or Swelling
If your cat shows apparent signs of pain, such as a bulging eyeball or noticeable swelling around the eye, it's important to take it to the vet to check for glaucoma. Signs of glaucoma in cats indicate the need for emergency veterinary care. This painful condition can appear suddenly and progress very rapidly. In most cases, when signs become evident, much of the cat's eyesight will be irreparably lost.
Nasal Discharge & Sneezing
If your cat's eyes are watering and they are sneezing and/or have a runny nose, they might have a cold or feline upper respiratory infection. Most cat colds go away within a week without seeing a vet. However, if your cat's symptoms get worse or don't improve after a couple of days, you should make an appointment to see your vet.
What Do You Do When Your Cat's Eye Is Watering?
If your cat's eyes have been watering for more than a day or two, or if it is showing signs of pain or symptoms of infection, it's time to head to the vet. Your vet can examine your cat's eyes and recommend appropriate treatments to help relieve any discomfort your cat may be experiencing.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
