What to Do When Your Cat's Eyes Are Watery and Itchy

This article was reviewed for medical accuracy by Dr. Lisa Coder of Vital Animal Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Coder was compensated for the review of this article but is in no way affiliated with Angels’ Eyes.

If you’ve ever noticed your cat’s eyes watering, you’re not alone. This common ailment appears in most cats at one time or another. By learning the possible causes of this condition, and the additional symptoms connected to those causes, we can determine the best way to help our cats be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed once again.

Watery eyes are very common in cats. There are two main physical reasons why your cat’s eyes water: their tear ducts aren’t draining the tears properly due to a blockage or the cat’s eyes are producing too many tears.

Tear duct blockage is often due to inflammation or debris in the tear duct. Some cat breeds, such as the flat-faced Persian or Himalayan, are also congenitally prone to tear duct blockage due to their facial structure.

In addition to watery, irritated eyes, these allergies may cause additional symptoms such as skin itchiness and scratching, gastrointestinal problems, and respiratory issues. Since cats are masters at hiding what ails them, it’s important to pay close attention so you can identify exactly what’s irritating them.

Here are six signs to look out for if you suspect your cat’s eyes are irritated. You should never try to diagnose your cat’s medical issues on your own, so if you see anything out of the ordinary regarding your cat’s behavior or condition, a call to your veterinarian is warranted.

Also, keep your eyes open for related symptoms like sneezing and runny noses (which could be caused by upper respiratory infections), itchiness, gastrointestinal issues, or hair loss (which could be caused by allergies). These are all symptoms that should be addressed by your vet. 

1. Excessive Tears

As mentioned above, excessive tears can have many causes, but in all of them, it reflects an irritation of the eye. You’ll usually notice these tears as wet streaks or stains coming from the inside corner of your cat’s eye.

2. Squinting or Blinking

While cats will often show their affection for their favorite human with a “slow blink,” you want to keep an eye out for constant squinting or blinking. When your cat can’t seem to keep their eyes open, or when it appears painful for them to do so, their eyes are likely irritated.

3. Pawing at Their Eyes

Every cat will rub their paw around their eyes as part of their normal cleaning routine, but when the movement becomes more intense or constant, it could be a sign of eye irritation.

4. Red Eyes

Keep an eye on the white area around your cat’s large irises. A red tint is a sign of eye irritation or conjunctivitis.

5. Discharge

This isn’t referring to the little “eye boogers” that almost every cat gets at one time or another. What we’re talking about here is a thick, goopy discharge that may be white, clear, green, or yellow.

Eye discharge is often a sign of an infection, which should be looked at by your veterinarian.

6. Swelling

If you notice your cat’s eye is swollen or if it looks like your cat is in pain, it is a medical emergency . You need to bring your cat to your veterinarian as soon as possible to check for infection, eye damage, or glaucoma, all diseases that can cause irreparable eye damage.

But what about “minor” tearing or irritation? When do you need to see a veterinarian about that?

As mentioned above, certain symptoms require immediate veterinary attention. Swelling and pain could indicate glaucoma or damage to the eyeball itself, a medical emergency. Thick discharge is often a sign of infection, which could require medication to treat.

For more “minor” irritation, figuring out the source of the irritation can be a huge help in determining if a vet visit is needed.

Did your cat start blinking and developing watery eyes right after you installed a new air freshener? They might be allergic to it. There are many household chemicals and substances that could cause irritation, and simply removing them from your home may be all you need to do to clear up your cat’s eye problems.

Or perhaps you recently changed their food or started giving them new treats. These are other potential catalysts for itchy, watery eyes.

However, if you can’t quickly identify and address the cause of your cat’s eye irritation, a trip to the veterinarian may be in order. Also, any watery eyes that last more than a day or two should be seen by a veterinarian to rule out infection or injury as a cause.

Cats often are infected with a chronic viral infection, which is usually transmitted to them as kittens from their mothers. Stress can reduce the strength of the immune system, and allow the normally inhibited virus to cause mild respiratory signs, including watery eyes. If you’ve recently made changes to your cat’s life, schedule, or living conditions, you may notice a small amount of sneezing or watery eyes. If the signs progress to thick colored discharge, or your cat stops eating, playing, or acting normally, it’s time to see your veterinarian.

There are many things you can do to maintain and support your cat’s eye health.

1. Visit Your Veterinarian if Necessary

If your cat has persistently watery eyes, make sure to get an assessment from your vet and, if necessary, a treatment plan. 

2. Keep Their Eyes Lubricated and Protected

If your cat’s eye irritation is caused by dry eyes or environmental irritants, an eye lubricant like Angels' Eyes Multi-Purpose Sterile Eye Lubricant can help. It keeps your cat’s eyes moisturized while also creating a protective barrier over the eyes.

If your cat is exposed to an irritant or allergen, Angels’ Eyes Multi-Purpose Sterile Eye Wash can offer them relief. It is formulated to be gentle and safe for both dogs and cats, and it helps soothe irritated eyes and safely remove debris without disrupting your cat’s eye’s natural chemistry. Angels’ Eyes Gentle Tear Stain Wipes are also a great way to gently remove those crusty “eye boogers” that often form with allergies or other eye irritants.

3. Remove Allergens if Possible

If environmental allergens are the source of your cat’s eye irritation woes, do what you can to remove the problem at its source.

For food allergies, work with your vet to determine which foods are the cause and then adjust your cat’s diet accordingly.

For pollen and dust, using an air purifier or whole-house air filters can help, as can limiting or eliminating your cat’s outdoor time. Dust-free kitty litter may also be a good investment as it can keep irritating litter away from your cat’s respiratory system.

You can treat flea or parasite allergens by discussing appropriate cat parasite pest control with your veterinarian. 

It can be distressing to see our cats with watery, irritated eyes, but there’s a lot we can do to help. By being observant of our cat’s symptoms, we can get a better idea of the cause and get veterinary help if necessary.

By using products like Angels’ Eyes Multi-Purpose Sterile Eye Wash to keep our cat’s eyes free from irritants and debris, we can keep their eyes clean, clear, and feeling their best.

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