WHY ARE MY CATS EYES WATERING?

There’s nothing quite like worry. And when you have pets I tend to find you worry about everything. And that’s probably because we can’t relate symptoms to ourselves.

For example, if our eyes start to water, we know it’s probably because we’re tired, we’ve got something in our eye, or we’re crying.

​Either way, it’s usually pretty obvious when there’s an issue in humans. But cats? Who knows why their eyes water? Is it okay? Is it normal? Are they sick? Are they okay?

​These are all anxiety-riddled questions that flood through your mind on a daily basis when your kitty does something different or new. 

If your kitty’s eyes are weeping or watering, unfortunately, there probably is some form of issue. How serious this issue is can vary.

Sometimes it can be something as simple as an allergy but it could also be an indication of something a little more serious such as a respiratory infection. 

Throughout this article, we’ll go over some of the main reasons why your feline friends eyes may be weeping.

​However, I will say now, that if your cats eyes have been excessively weeping, it’s probably best to take them to the vets to get checked out. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. 
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REASONS FOR WATERING/WEEPING EYES

Cats often produce tears or water in their eyes to protect them. The fluid will help to remove anything in their eyes, it keeps their eyes moist and even provides essential nutrients.

​So some water, or the occasional crusting around the eye is no immediate cause for concern.

​However, if they water excessively, or you notice a mucousy discharge from the eye it can be an indication of a more serious issue. 

Reason 1: Conjunctivitis

Your cat may have conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, which is causing your babies eyes to weep. This is actually a fairly common eye issue for cats. It’s not a very nice thing for them to experience, though. 

Conjunctivitis can cause painful inflammation around either one or both eyes. This inflammation will turn the eyes red and they may swell too.

Cats with this condition are usually fairly sensitive to light as it hurts their eyes. With conjunctivitis cats can have watery eyes that appear very teary although sometimes they will produce a thick mucus. 

You cat may have conjunctivitis for several different reasons. Their eyes may be fighting an infection, they may be expierencing an allergy, or they may have a lot of dust in their eyes.

If you notice these symptoms in your cat, take them to the vets straight away. Conjunctivitis is very contagious and so it may spread to other cats in the home.

Also, poorly eyes in cats can deteriorate at incredible speeds and so the sooner you can get treatment the better. 

Reason 2: Feline Upper Respiratory Infections

Weepy eyes can also often be a symptom of a respiratory infection. There are many different types of respiratory infection, and the symptoms for each can be really varied.

In most cases, your vet will need to do lab tests to find the cause of the problem. Upper respiratory infections can also lead to conjunctivitis. 

If your cats eyes are watery and they show visible signs of being under the weather and poorly, I would recommend taking them to see the vet. 

Reason 3: Allergies

Cats are more like us than you may realize, and they are often allergic to many of the things that we are. And these allergies can cause watery eyes just like we get too.

For example, common allergens such as pollen, mould, mildew, dust, perfumes, and cleaning products can all set off cat allergies. 

So if you’ve made a change in your house, or the seasons have changed, this could be the cause of watery eyes in your feline.

If you do suspect that your cat has allergies, you should take them to the vets where they can discuss how to move forward. 

Reason 4: Eye Ulcers

If the watery eyes is also accompanied by a whole lot of squinting, your cat may have eye ulcers. This is when there is damage to the cat’s eye.

You can usually tell if this is the problem, as your cat will rub their head often and their eyes will become very red and sore. 

There are several different reasons why your cat may have eye ulcers. It could be that they’ve scratched their eye, they have an infection, or they have been exposed to certain chemicals. 

If you suspect this is the issue, you must take your cat to the vets immediately. Eye ulcers can be extremely painful for your cat and in more extreme cases, it can even cause the eyeball to rupture. 

Reason 5: Epiphora

Sometimes cats eyes can weep because there is a problem with the drainage of their tear ducts. This is known as Epiphora. This is usually caused by the tearducts getting blocked.

​If left untreated this can cause rhinitis or sinusitis and this causes the tissue in the area to swell which can be pretty painful for your cat.
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WHEN TO SEE THE VET

When it comes to any signs of eye pain or discomfort, it is always best to see your vet immediately. The issue with eye problems is that they rarely get better alone, and they can worsen at incredible speeds.

​Plus, most eye problems can be seriously painful for your pet and no one likes to see their pets in pain and distress.
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FINAL THOUGHTS

Cats eyes need a certain amount of water to protect them. So a small amount of water being noticeable isn’t a major cause for concern.

However, if your cats eyes are weeping or particularly watery, you should take them to see the veterinarian. It is often the first symptoms of an eye issue which can deteriate the eyes very quickly.

And it is always best to be safe than sorry, and double check. A fast diagnosis is the first step towards a speedy recovery. 
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