A Guide To Living With Multiple Pets

While some breeds of cats have naturally watery eyes, most cats' eyes shouldn't be runny. If your pet has runny eyes, and the problem isn't going away, then you might need to see your vet. Before you decide what to do, ask yourself the following questions. The answers will help you work out what might be wrong with your pet.

Are Your Cat's Eyes Red?

If your cat has watery eyes, then it might have a conjunctivitis infection. These infections also usually make the eyes and their tissues look pink or red.

In some cases, conjunctivitis is caused by dust, an allergy or an injury. In others, it is a symptom of a different illness or condition, such as cat flu or a feline herpes virus.

While regular conjunctivitis often clears up on its own, you should still contact your vet if you think your cat has this problem. Your pet might need treatment especially if the infection is caused by another illness or condition.

Is the Discharge Coloured or Sticky?

While many eye discharges are clear and watery, some are more sticky. They might also be coloured yellow or even green.

Sticky discharges are usually caused by an infection. If your cat has sticky but clear fluids around its eyes, then the infection is more likely to be viral. You should still talk to your vet, but they might take a wait-and-see approach.

However, if the discharge is yellow or green, then your cat probably has a bacterial infection. In these cases, your vet might want to prescribe antibiotics. These infections don't typically get better on their own.

Do Your Cat's Eyes Look Different?

While your cat's eyes might look red and sore if they have a discharge, they should look normal apart from that. However, if one of your pet's eyes looks cloudy rather than clear, then it might have an eye ulcer.

Cats sometimes get eye ulcers if they get into a fight or accident and hurt their eye. Scratches and infections can also cause ulceration. If your pet's eye is cloudy, then you should get it to your vet quickly. If you don't treat an ulcer, it can permanently affect your cat's vision.

If you have any concerns about your cat's eyes and its discharge, then contact your veterinary service. They can advise you on whether you need to bring your pet into the clinic for a check-up.