Cat Eye Infection Home Remedies [6 Easy & Simple Solutions]

Cat Eye Infection Home Remedies [6 Easy & Simple Solutions]
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Has your cat been winking at you excessively? Is your pet stuck in a perpetual blinking motion? Is there discharge and redness coming from your cat's eye? If so, unfortunately, it sounds like your cat could have an eye infection. An eye issue for cats is much like an eye issue for humans. Not to worry though, there are a number of cat eye infection home remedies.

 

An issue in a cat's eyes is typically caused by foreign agents such as bacteria or fungi invading the eye. A cat-eye condition can often be a secondary ailment caused by a much larger underlying medical issue. Because cats can be extremely adventurous, you will likely have to deal with an eye infection in your pet at one time or another. A cat with an eye condition may be extra irate. Before we discuss a remedy and all the ways you can combat and hopefully prevent cat eye problems, let's break down what it is and how it can affect your furry friend. 

 

 

What Kind of Eye Conditions Are There?

Eye conditions are a result of bacteria, fungi, or viruses that penetrate the eyeball or eyelids. Eye issues are broken down into two categories; issues in the clear front of the eye (cornea) and issues in the thin layer lining the eye and eyelids (conjunctiva). An eye condition in a cat can signify several different things.

 

Typically, eye conditions and eye discharge are caused by feline upper respiratory problems. Pink eye, is also a common culprit. Conditions can be caused by bacteria or viruses and may indicate a secondary ailment connected to something much larger. 

 

 

black cat eyes and ears

 

 

Causes of Eye Conditions in Cats

There are various causes of eye issues in cats. Many conditions are highly contagious and will be passed from cat to cat within seconds of interaction. Your cat is also more likely to contract an eye condition after spending extended periods in communal pet areas such as kennels. A cat cannot transfer their eye problems to humans. 

 

Pink Eye

Pink eye is the swelling of the lining around your cat's eye. Much like pink eye in humans, this condition will cause discomfort and red eyes. A cat with pink eye along with fever, diarrhea, and labored breathing can point to potentially harmful conditions. Speak to your vet immediately if all those symptoms are occurring at the same time. Cat pink eye is not transferable to humans. 

 

Feline Upper Respiratory Problems

Many times, your cat's eye issue is the result of a feline upper respiratory problem. Contagious respiratory issues may include feline calicivirus, bacteria, and protozoa. Symptoms can include a pus-like eye discharge that affects the vision of your cat.

 

Dry Eye

Dry eye is a severe condition. A prolonged lack of tear production can lead to an inflamed cornea in a cat. Pus-like eye discharge and red eyes typically accompany dry eyes.

 

Food or Environmental Allergens

Felines are prone to allergies that can initiate redness of the eyes. This type of eye irritation may be accompanied by digestive and skin issues.

 

 

cats eye

 

 

Symptoms of Eye Problems in Cats

Before we get to cat eye infection home remedies, let's take a look at some symptoms. Because a varying number of reasons can cause eye problems in cats, the symptoms also differ greatly.

 

The most common symptoms of eye issues in a cat are:

 

  • Red Eyes
  • Excessive blinking or winking
  • Inflamed or swollen third eyelid
  • Rubbing eyes
  • Pus accumulation near the tear duct
  • Fever
  • Green, brown, or yellowish eye discharge
  • Sneezing or nasal discharge
  • Vision reduction

 

 

Prevention of Cat Eye Issues

It's rather difficult to prevent cat-eye issues outright. If you are aware of another cat with an eye issue, keep your cat far away from it. A cat will typically groom their eyes itself, but owners can help by using cotton swabs to wipe away built-up gunk. Making sure to take care of your cat's immune system will go a long way toward preventative measures. Vitamins A, C, and E are good antioxidants that also assist with eye health. Omega 3 fatty acids, such as fish oils, are also great for eye health. Vitamins and supplements are great for your cat's eyes, but will not prevent problems outright. 

 

Owners should keep up with yearly vaccinations to help regulate eye health. Make sure to avoid placing your cat in community pet areas that are overcrowded, and do daily check-ups at home for irregularities. To clean your cat's eyes, we recommend dipping a cotton ball in room temperature distilled water (don't use tap water). Owners can then wipe the damp ball from the corner of the eye outward. Grab a fresh, dry cotton ball to dry the eye. Be sure to use separate cotton balls for each eye. 

 

Preventing Allergy Related Eye Problems

If you suspect your feline's eye condition is due to food or environmental allergies then you need to remove the allergen to stop the problem. Although the solution sounds easy, figuring out what the allergen is can prove difficult. With food allergies, you might be able to figure out what food or ingredient is causing the problem by careful observation or by using the process of elimination.

 

You might be able to figure out potential environmental allergies by paying attention to what the cat came into contact with when a reaction occurs. Of course, you can always have a veterinarian run tests to determine possible allergens. Once you know the allergen you can remove it from the environment or diet to stop the problem at the source.

 

 

Cat Eye Condition Home Remedies

Because bacteria has been a common affliction throughout the world, there are plenty of home remedies to deal with eye conditions in cats. You can purchase most of these remedies at your local pet store in the cat section.

 

 

vet checking cats eye

 

 

L-Lysine

Feline herpesvirus is a common upper respiratory condition in cats that causes eye issues. L-Lysine is popular among the health community for use in both cats and humans. L-lysine is an amino acid that cannot be synthesized inside the body, so it must be attained through food and supplements. It can be purchased at most pet stores and used at home.

 

Distilled Water Rinse

Moisten a cotton swab with distilled or sterile water. Wipe the goo out of your cat's eyes, start from the tear duct and then slowly and gently wipe outward. Repeat this process to help with eye discharge and eyesight, although the infection may still persist. This method is best for getting debris out of your cat's eyes at home.

 

Warm Compress

This technique may be difficult to pull off, but it is rewarding. Soak a cloth in very warm water then wring it out so that it is not dripping. Press the cloth to your cat's eyes and hold it there for 60 seconds. You can repeat this process separately for each eye until you start to see redness or irritation decrease.  

 

Cat Eye Rinse

There are plenty of commercial cat-eye rinse products for sale at local pet stores for use at home. Make sure that when shopping for eye rinse for your cat, you are buying products with good reviews and legible labels! 

 

Honey

When topically applied, honey is known to help lessen swelling and irritation in your eye. Owners can mix two tablespoons of organic honey with two tablespoons of distilled or sterile water. Make sure to shake and stir until the honey looks like it has disappeared. Owners can put 2 to 3 drops of the solution into the infected eye twice a day.

 

Oregon Grape

Oregon grape has antibacterial properties that can help fight pink eye. Owners can place two drops of Oregon grape tincture into a half an ounce of distilled or sterile water. After the mix is complete, apply 2 to 3 drops of the solution into the affected eye twice daily. 

 

Related page: CBD for cats

 

 

Final Thoughts - Cat Eye Infection Home Remedies

Next time you see your cat winking at you too much, it may not be a friendly greeting. Eye problems in cats are common, but can usually be easily remedied. As an owner, you should be able to take care of your cat's eye issues at home. If your cat has reoccurring eye conditions, please see a vet as this may be a sign that there is something else wrong.

 

The best way to prevent these ailments from befalling your pet is to keep a healthy and balanced diet filled with Vitamins A, C, and E. Also make sure to be cautious of shared pet areas. These cat-eye infection home remediec s should get your feline friend back to normal in no time.

 

Thoroughly clean bedding and pillows that may have been shared with other pets. It doesn't take much to get an eye condition, but luckily there are plenty of home remedies to assist you in such a predicament. Additional information.

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