You’re stroking your feline friend’s soft fur when you notice it: a damp, glistening trail beneath their eye or a persistent wetness that makes their usually bright eyes look tired. It’s a sight that gives any cat owner a moment of pause. Why are your cat eyes watering?
The phenomenon of cat eyes watering, known medically as epiphora, is incredibly common. While a few stray tears are often no cause for alarm, understanding the underlying reason is key to ensuring your cat’s health and comfort.
This comprehensive guide will demystify watery eyes in cats, helping you distinguish between a minor irritation and a sign of something more serious. We’ll explore everything from simple environmental causes to conditions requiring a vet’s attention, provide safe home care guidelines, and outline the clear red flags that mean it’s time to call the veterinarian.
Understanding the Basics: What “Watery Eyes” Actually Means
Before we dive into causes, it’s helpful to understand how a cat’s eyes work. Tears are essential. They keep the cornea lubricated, provide oxygen, and wash away debris. This tear film is produced continuously and drains efficiently through small openings in the corners of the eyelids (the puncta) into the nasolacrimal ducts—essentially, tiny tear ducts that drain into the nose.
The problem of cat eyes watering arises in two main scenarios:
- Overproduction of Tears: The eye creates more tears than the drainage system can handle, often in response to irritation or injury.
- Insufficient Drainage: The tear ducts are physically blocked or compromised, preventing normal tear flow and causing them to spill over onto the face.
Chronic watery eyes in cats can also lead to tear staining—those reddish-brown streaks under the eyes common in light-colored cats. This is caused by porphyrins, natural molecules found in tears that turn reddish-brown when exposed to air.
Common Causes of Watery Eyes in Cats
A sudden onset of cat eye discharge can be puzzling. Let’s break down the most common culprits, from the benign to the more concerning.
Everyday Irritants and Allergies
Just like humans, cats can react to particles in the air. This is one of the most frequent reasons for temporary, clear watery eyes.
Environmental Irritants: Dust from litter, cigarette smoke, household cleaning sprays, or even strong perfumes can irritate your cat’s sensitive eyes, causing a temporary overflow of tears as the eye tries to flush the irritant out.
Allergies: Seasonal allergies to pollen or mold can cause watery eyes in cats, often accompanied by other symptoms like sneezing and itchy skin.
Conjunctivitis: The Classic “Pink Eye”
Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva—the thin, pink membrane lining the eyelids and covering the white part of the eye. It’s a top cause of cat eye discharge and can make your cat’s eyes look watery, red, and swollen. The discharge can range from clear and watery to thick and yellow or green. Causes include:
Viral Infections: Feline herpesvirus is a very common cause of viral conjunctivitis and recurrent eye problems in cats.
Bacterial Infections: These often cause a thicker, pus-like discharge.
Irritants: As mentioned above, chemicals or foreign bodies can also lead to conjunctivitis.
Upper Respiratory Infections (The “Cat Flu”)
When cat eyes watering is accompanied by sneezing, nasal discharge, lethargy, and loss of appetite, an upper respiratory infection (URI) is a likely suspect. Similar to a human cold, these infections are often caused by viruses like feline calicivirus or herpesvirus and can lead to significant eye discharge and discomfort.
Corneal Issues
The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface of the eye. Any damage to it is serious and painful, often causing significant watery eyes as a protective mechanism.
Corneal Ulcer: A scratch, scrape, or deeper injury to the cornea. You may notice your cat squinting excessively, pawing at the eye, and avoiding light. The eye will often produce a watery or mucus-like discharge. This is a veterinary emergency.
Keratitis: General inflammation of the cornea, which can have various causes.
Structural and Breed-Specific Problems
Some cats are simply predisposed to having watery eyes due to their anatomy.
Brachycephalic Breeds: Flat-faced cats like Persians, Himalayans, and Exotic Shorthairs have very shallow eye sockets and often kinked or narrow tear ducts. This makes proper drainage difficult, leading to chronic epiphora and those characteristic tear stains.
Entropion: A condition where the eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes to rub against the cornea. This constant irritation leads to persistent watery eyes, squinting, and pain.
Blocked Tear Ducts: A duct can become physically blocked by inflammation, scar tissue, or a thick discharge, preventing tears from draining normally.
Decoding the Discharge: What Your Cat’s Watery Eyes Are Telling You
The color and consistency of the discharge from your cat’s watery eyes are vital clues.
Clear and Watery: Typically points to a mild irritation, allergies, or the early stages of a viral infection. The eye is trying to flush something out.
White or Mucus-Like: Can indicate chronic irritation or, in some cases, dry eye (KCS), where the poor-quality tear film leads to irritation and secondary watering.
Yellow or Green and Thick: This pus-like discharge is a strong indicator of a bacterial infection, such as bacterial conjunctivitis. This almost always requires veterinary-prescribed antibiotic treatment.
Reddish-Brown Stains: This is not fresh discharge but the oxidized porphyrin in tears, indicating chronic watery eyes.
Safe Home Care for Your Cat’s Watery Eyes
For mild cases with clear discharge and no other symptoms, you can provide some gentle, safe care at home.
What You Can Do:
Gentle Cleaning: Use a soft, clean cloth or a sterile gauze pad moistened with warm water or saline solution. Gently wipe from the inner corner of the eye outward, using a fresh part of the cloth for each eye. This can help remove crusting and irritants.
A product like Eye Envy Tear Stain Remover Wipes is a safe, pre-moistened option specifically designed for this purpose and can be found on Amazon.
Saline Flush: A sterile, preservative-free saline solution (the same kind used for human contact lenses) can be used to gently flush the eye and rinse away irritants.
Environmental Adjustments: Use dust-free litter, avoid spraying aerosols near your cat, and run an air purifier to reduce airborne allergens.
WHAT TO AVOID (CRITICAL):
- Never use human eye drops, especially those designed to “get the red out.” They can contain ingredients that are toxic to cats.
- Do not use old antibiotics from a previous illness.
- Never force your cat’s eye open or restrain them aggressively, as this can cause injury and severe stress.
- Do not use cotton balls, as the fibers can stick to the eye and cause further irritation.
When to Call the Veterinarian: The Red Flags
While some minor watery eyes can be managed at home, certain symptoms demand professional attention. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of the following:
Squinting or Holding the Eye Closed: This is a sign of significant pain or discomfort.
Pawing at the Eye Persistently: Indicates itchiness or pain that needs addressing.
Visible Change in the Eye: Cloudiness, a change in pupil size, or a visible third eyelid.
Colored Discharge: Yellow, green, or thick mucus-like cat eye discharge.
Swelling or Redness: Around the eye or of the conjunctiva.
Symptoms Accompanying Other Illness: Such as sneezing, lethargy, or loss of appetite.
No Improvement: If the watery eyes persist for more than 24 hours without improvement.
Diagnosis and Veterinary Treatment
If you take your cat to the vet for watery eyes, they will perform a thorough ophthalmic exam. This may include:
A Fluorescein Stain: A special orange dye is applied to the eye to highlight any scratches or ulcers on the cornea.
Schirmer Tear Test: A small paper strip is placed on the eyelid to measure tear production.
Tonometry: Measures the pressure inside the eye to check for glaucoma.
Treatment will depend entirely on the diagnosis:
Infections: Treated with antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal ointments or drops.
Ulcers: Require specific medication to promote healing and often an Elizabethan collar (cone) to prevent pawing.
Allergies: May be managed with antihistamines or diet changes.
Blocked Ducts: Sometimes can be flushed under anesthesia.
Structural Issues: Like entropion, require surgical correction.
FAQs about Cat Eyes Watering
Is it normal for my cat’s eyes to water a little bit every day?
A very small amount of clear moisture in the corner of the eye can be normal, especially upon waking. However, daily, noticeable watery eyes that wet the fur or cause staining are not considered normal and should be investigated, especially in non-flat-faced breeds.
Can I use human allergy eye drops for my cat’s watery eyes?
No. Absolutely not. Many human eye drops contain decongestants or other active ingredients that can be highly toxic to cats and cause severe health problems. Only use medication prescribed by your veterinarian.
My cat is squinting and has watery eyes, but it’s the weekend. Should I wait?
Squinting is a sign of pain or significant discomfort. It could indicate a corneal ulcer, which can worsen quickly. It is best to seek emergency veterinary care rather than wait.
How can I prevent my white cat from getting tear stains?
For cats prone to staining due to breed anatomy, consistent, gentle daily cleaning of the area is key. Ensure there are no underlying issues causing excessive watery eyes. Some products, like Angel Eyes for Cats (available on Amazon), are designed to reduce staining from the inside out, but you should always consult your vet before using any supplement.
Are some cat breeds more prone to watery eyes?
Yes. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like Persians and Himalayans are famously prone to chronic watery eyes and tear staining due to their facial structure.
Conclusion
Noticing your cat eyes watering can be worrying, but armed with the right knowledge, you can respond effectively. Remember, the goal is observation and informed action. Most minor irritations will pass, but symptoms of pain, colored discharge, or prolonged issues warrant a professional opinion.
By understanding the potential causes of watery eyes in cats, from simple allergies to more serious corneal ulcers, you are empowered to be the best advocate for your feline companion’s health and well-being. Their bright, clear eyes are a window to their health—so keep watching.
Sources
- American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO)
- Cornell Feline Health Center
- WebDM for Pets
- Merck Veterinary Manual
