My cat's third eyelid shows. What over-the-counter treatment helps?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed
My cat's third eyelid has been showing the past couple of days. It does not seem to be bothering her as I am able to apply a warm wash cloth to it to keep it clean. I am unable to get her to a vet to be examined as I do not have funds for this at the moment. Would you be able to recommend over the counter treatment that could help this eye issue?
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 24th, 2017
The elevation of the third eyelid really just tells me that the eye is uncomfortable, it doesn’t really make a diagnosis. It can be a viral infection, an injury, allergies, or others. I would warm compress the eye several times a day, as well as gently rinse with an isotonic saline rinse several times a day. This can be purchased at any pharmacy in the human eye section. If it does not improve or seems to get worse at anytime then she should really be seen to avoid losing the eye. Best of luck and I hope she improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on April 9th, 2018
Poor Spunky sounds very ill. That is her third eyelid you are seeing. It is there to protect the eyeball but they come up and cover the eye when cats are debilitated or have an infectious disease such as herpes. The eyelids are just a symptom and there is no speciic treatment. If she improves, gains weight and is feeling better they will go away. I would try to have her rest, follow the medication treatment plan from your veterinarian and feed her often to help her gain weight. If there is an eye discharge, squinting or she's rubbing her eye then that may need a prescription eye medication from your veterinarian. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Spunky.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on July 22nd, 2019
The tissue at the corner of the eye is the third eyelid protruding. The 3rd eyelid is visible when they pull the eyeball back into the orbit from pain. Also, they squint the eye when the eye is painful. Kazi really needs to see a vet for this. In the meantime all you can do is rinse the eye with saline solution (like for contacts, ask the pharmacist to point one out) OR you can use this pet eye gel: ( )
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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