Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My cat's eye is closed and struggling to open. Is it an emergency?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | unneutered

Hi, my cat has just came home and one of his eyes is closed and he is struggling to open it, I can't get a look at his eye as he is keeping it closed and trying to sleep when I go near him, there are other cats Iv seen him fight with before, how long should I leave him before I take to vets? Thanks.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on September 28th, 2017

I would take Kovu into a vet immediately, as this is a medical emergency. The eye is such a delicate and important structure, and leaving this untreated can lead to vision loss. In addition, it will be causing him a lot of pain. He needs treatment on it now to prevent vision loss from happening, so please take him into a vet right away.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Cat's eye is glossed over and he is squinting.
I see what you mean. He could be squinting because the light is painful to his eye, and it may be he has injured his eyes or has an eye infection. Any eye problem is an emergency because leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. I'd take him into a vet right away to get checked out. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cats eye is swollen
His eye does look swollen! He could have injured his eye or he could have an eye infection. The eye is such an important and delicate structure that any problem with it should be considered an emergency. That's because leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. I would take him into a vet immediately to diagnose what is causing his eye to be swollen so it can be treated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, i noticed one of my cats eyes is turning a foggy brown color when her eyes are usually light blue, we tried giving her pet eyedrops from the local pet store but they havent really done much. I was wondering if anybody knew what this was?
This could be due to a severe eye infection. Any eye problem is considered an emergency because leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. I'd take Storm into a vet now to get her eye diagnosed and treated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My kitten of 6 weeks has been clawed by my 2 year old male cat and his eye is hurt. He was restless and in pain as he snarled when i held him. He doesn't want to open the eye. I cannot determine if it is actually to the eye itself or the lid. I a
Oh no, poor Pip! This is a medical emergency, and he needs to see a vet immediately. The eye is such a delicate and important structure that any problem with it should be considered an emergency. That's because leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. I would check to see if there is an ER vet clinic in your area; if not, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet can be found on a clinic's answering machine or website. Please take Pip into a vet now.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 3 month old kitten's eye is red and puffy. It doesn't seem to bother him much but he does have some discharge in the corner of his eye. Should I be worried or will this pass with time?
No, this won't go away with time, and Loki has to see a vet immediately. He could have an eye infection or could have suffered some trauma to his eye. Any eye condition should be considered an emergency, as leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. Please take him into a vet right away, who can diagnose and treat his eye symptoms.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My daughter is worried about her cat. When she arrived home from school today she noticed his right eye is barely open and he’s not as active or responsive as usual. Is there anything we can do to treat it? Could this be a symptom of a more serious h
Poor Sweets! He could have injured his eye, or could he have a severe eye infection. This is something that needs to be treated promptly by a vet, as leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. I would have your daughter take him into a vet now. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat seems to have something in his eye. We have tried cotton buds to remove it but this did not work. What do I do???
I would have your cat seen by a vet and not try to get this thing out yourself anymore. You could accidentally do real damage to the eye by doing this. I would find an ER vet or a vet on call to see him today if your regular vet is closed. This is because any eye problem is considered an emergency. Leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my cat won't open her right eye all the way. There isn't any discharge and no apparent injury.
Poor Munchkin! It's quite serious that she cannot open her eye all the way. Without seeing her in person, I can't rule out an injury to it or an eye infection, but I can say she needs to see a vet immediately. The eye is such a delicate and important structure that any problem with it should be considered an emergency. That's because leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. I would take Munchin into an ER vet or find a vet on call to see her now to have her eye examined and diagnosed so it can be treated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My kitten's eyes were a bit watery this morning and when I came home this evening they were quite red and he wasn't able to open his left one properly. It's after hours here, should I try to get an emergency appointment or wait until tomorrow?
Poor kitten! If you can, it would really be best to have him seen by a vet tonight, even if this means that you need to go to an emergency clinic. An eye problem like this is not usually life-threatening, but severe eye infections can sometimes cause permanent damage or even vision loss if they are not treated promptly - so the sooner he can see a vet and get started on medication to treat the problem, the better. If you aren't able to take him tonight, I would take him to your regular vet first thing in the morning. In the meantime, you can use a warm washcloth or cotton ball to gently clean away any discharge from the eyes to help make him more comfortable.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My kitten who is about 2 in a half months old eye is rolled back in one of his eyes. There was some white discharge coming out of the eye. We carefully wiped it away. We now own three cats, and have never had this happen. Our local vet is closed now.
Poor Saber Tooth! He could have a severe eye infection or he could have injured his eye. The eye is such a delicate and important structure that any problem with it should be considered an emergency. That's because leaving it untreated can lead to permanent vision loss. He does need to see a vet now. Please take him into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website. Good luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Cat Supplies Cat Food Cat Eyedrops & Ear Medication Wet Cat Food Cat Ear & Eye Care Cat Medicine Vaccines and Shots for Cats Cat First Aid Canned Cat Food Electrolytes for Cats PetAlive Cat Ear & Eye Care Vetericyn Cat Ear & Eye Care Dexamethasone Ophthalmic Solution Cat Medicine Tobramycin Cat Eyedrops & Ear Medication Latanoprost Cat Medicine Vetnique Labs Cat Ear & Eye Care Nutri-Vet Cat Ear & Eye Care Dorzolamide Cat Eyedrops & Ear Medication Latanoprost Cat Eyedrops & Ear Medication NaturVet Cat Ear & Eye Care
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored