A cozy autumn evening, pleasant music and your pet purring by your side create the perfect atmosphere of calm after an eventful day. But sometimes this peace is disturbed by one unpleasantness – the cat’s tears. Why is this happening? Is this always a problem? Let’s figure out why a cat’s eyes water and how to help her.
Causes of lacrimation in cats
- Natural factors. First of all, it is important to understand that tears in both humans and cats have a protective function. The lacrimal glands produce tears to moisten the eyes, clean them of dust and dirt, and protect them from infection and injury. If tearing appears only occasionally and is not accompanied by other symptoms, it may be a natural reaction of the body. However, even in this situation, if you see that the kitten’s eyes are watering, it is constantly rubbing its face with its paw, it is necessary to carefully examine them for the presence of any irritants to relieve discomfort.
- Conjunctivitis in cats. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye can occur due to viruses, bacteria or allergens. With this disease, the cat’s eyes run, the cat’s eyes become sour, redness is observed, and sometimes – the formation of pus. If you notice these symptoms, you should consult a veterinarian, who will prescribe special drops or ointments.
- Eye diseases in cats are viral diseases. They can also cause lacrimation in fur babies. For example, such an infectious disease as the herpes virus causes conjunctivitis, transmitted by contact with infected cats or through objects, often accompanied not only by lacrimation, but also by a general deterioration of the condition. In such cases, pets often squint their eyes, trying to reduce discomfort. As a secondary complication after a viral disease, a bacterial infection and brown discharge from the cat’s eyes can appear, so it is better to immediately contact a veterinarian for help. Usually, the doctor prescribes antiviral drugs and drugs to maintain general immunity.
- Allergic reactions. Aroma diffusers, plants, household chemicals or even your favorite perfume can cause an allergy in your pet, which will manifest itself in lacrimation. If you notice that your cat’s eyes water after buying new flowers or changing household cleaning products, this may be the cause of your furry friend’s suffering.
- A feature of certain breeds of cats. Persian, Exotic and British Shorthair cats have a tendency to tear due to their specific skull shape and short nasal cartilage. Because of this, their tear ducts can be slightly displaced and blocked. As a result, they may have constant tearing, which does not always indicate health problems.
- Respectable age. If the cat’s eyes water at a respectable age, then this may be the norm, because with age, physiological changes occur in the body of animals that affect the work of the lacrimal glands and the general condition of the eyes. For example, the immune system weakens, the lacrimal glands do not produce enough tears or do so slowly, and this can increase the sensitivity of the eyes to irritants and the development of conjunctivitis or other inflammations accompanied by tearing.
What to do if a cat’s eye is watering?
If your pet has watery cat eyes, first examine the eye in good light. To do this, gently spread the eyelids and check for redness, swelling or foreign objects. Then clean the eye with a cotton pad dipped in warm boiled water or saline, gently moving from the outer corner to the inner corner without excessive pressure. Also, pay attention to new plants, chemicals, perfumes or dust in the home, and if possible, remove them for a few days while observing the cat’s condition. If the fur has no other signs of illness, such as redness, purulent discharge from the cat’s eyes, or constant rubbing with the paw, the tearing may be short-lived and go away on its own. In the opposite case, if the tearing lasts for several days, you notice a change in your pet’s behavior (loss of appetite, lethargy) and other symptoms, be sure to consult a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
Prevention of lacrimation in cats
To reduce the likelihood of tearing, periodically clean your pet’s eyes with cotton pads and a special lotion to remove dust and other small particles. This important rule must be applied both to domestic cats and to those representatives who like to spend their time outside. Also, observe the condition of the fur after the appearance of new plants, fragrances in the house or contact with other animals. Spend time cleaning and airing the house, use hypoallergenic household chemicals, especially in places where your cat is often. If you suspect that a new thing may be the cause of an allergic reaction in your pet, remove it for a few days to monitor the well-being of the furry one. And, of course, do not forget to undergo regular preventive examinations at the veterinarian 1-2 times a year.
Tearing in cats is quite common and can occur due to a large number of reasons. It is important to be informed about the main ones in order to provide proper emergency care to your pet and to contact the veterinarian in time. Now you know that tears can be a normal reaction to dust or minor irritants. However, if there is prolonged tearing, it is better to consult a doctor in order to detect a possible problem in time.