Mary Allen
Watery eyes in cats can have very harmless causes, but they can also indicate serious illnesses. Changes in the cat’s eye should always be clarified with a veterinarian. Find out here what can cause watery eyes in cats.
You can recognize a healthy cat’s eye by the cat’s clear gaze. The fur around the eyes is clean and not glued. If the cat keeps blinking, has swollen, sticky eyes, or has a tear trough in the cat’s fur, this indicates that something is wrong.
Cat Has Watery Eyes: Possible Causes
If the cat’s eyes only tear a little, and if the tear fluid is clear, the cat’s eyes are often simply irritated by a draft or wind. The conjunctiva is particularly stressed by the cold air in autumn and winter. The result: tears.
Cats also secrete a clear, watery liquid through their eyes due to allergies. Because like humans, four-legged friends also react to certain allergens. If the watery eyes are accompanied by frequent sneezing, this indicates that the cat has a cold.
It is also possible that one of your cat’s eyelashes has rolled into its eye and is now permanently irritating. The same applies to penetrating foreign bodies such as sand, dirt, or dust. An injury could also be the cause. It is usually clearly visible, especially after a fight, and sometimes looks bloody.
If your cat’s eye discharge is purulent to slimy, this indicates an infectious irritation caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Related diseases such as conjunctivitis or the dangerous cat cold are accompanied by watery eyes as a symptom.
Watery Eyes in Cats: Summary of the Most Common Causes
- irritations caused by environmental influences (draughts, foreign objects, eyelashes, etc.)
- inflammation (such as conjunctivitis)
- infections
- injuries
- Illnesses (cold, glaucoma, etc.)
- disturbed drainage of tear fluid (e.g. a blockage of the tear duct)
- allergic reaction
- fungus
With Teary Eyes to the Vet?
When it comes to sensitive cat eyes, it’s better to go to the vet once too often than too few. Are the tears clear, not too heavy, and are you not noticing any other symptoms of illness? Then you can first call the vet to clarify whether you should come by or whether you can wait a little longer.
You should seek immediate veterinary care if your tears are mucous or bloody, your eyes are swollen, or you see any injuries near your eyes. Pain is also a reason for a vet visit; if your fur nose increasingly closes its eyes, this is an indication of pain.
The treatment of your cat’s watery eyes basically depends on the cause. The vet removes foreign objects. Antihistamines are used for allergies. For diseases such as conjunctivitis or cat flu, the veterinarian will usually prescribe medication or eye drops.