My cat has brown eye discharge for years. Can I treat it at home?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 10 years and 4 months old
My 10 year old calico has a brown liquid (not thick) discharge in just one eye and it is continuous. I know from the previous owner that she has had this for at least 2 years. Her one eye is smaller and she will close that more often than the other. She does not have a red eye. She doesn't appear to be in any stress and plays with my other two cats and does not Is there something I can do instead of going to the doctor? Thank you so much
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on February 8th, 2018
One possibility is that the tears are not draining properly. If the eye is small, then this would definitely explain why it's not draining properly and is ending up on her face. They can also get blocked tear ducts that will cause a similar problem. If the eye and conjunctiva do not appear red, then I would not be worried about infection or other inflammation causing the discharge, but I'd have to examine her to be sure. Unfortunately, what you are describing is not specific to any one condition, so I am not able to narrow-down the causes and provide advice about treating it. I can say that if it is a blocked tear duct, or other drainage problem, then it would require veterinary intervention. It is best to have a veterinarian examine her to get a specific diagnosis. I'm sure that a great amount of information can be obtained from just an exam, or some minimal testing. I hope that helps and all is well with Ellie.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 7th, 2020
Toota is so cute!!!! What a beautiful face she has, I bet she is an absolute love. It could be she has an eye infection causing this discharge but I can't say for certain without seeing her in person. Any eye problem needs to be checked out by a vet as leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. Give her vet a call to make her an appointment. I hope this helps!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on April 5th, 2018
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. If Henry had an upper respiratory infection / eye infection, it may still be resolving. If it is due to a viral infection, the medications won't help unfortunately and you just have to wait it out and wait for his immune system to fight it off. If he begins squinting his eye or it becomes red / swollen, I would take him back in to be examined by a veterinarian. Otherwise just keep monitoring the eye for now.I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on June 13th, 2018
Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. A slight brown discharge can just be crusting of tears that occurs when there is a bit of a virus. These usually go away on their own. Natural tears are often all that is required. I recommend just monitoring it for now. If there is any squinting, cloudiness/redness or blueness of the eye itself, or any yellow/green discharge, then please return to the vet. Best of luck with Whiskey.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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