Why are my cat's eyes leaking and what are the common causes?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Why does my cats eyes leak? She is a white hymalan 8 years old.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 19th, 2018
Your cat may have an upper respiratory infection. This can be caused by a variety of viruses. There is also a possibility that your cat has blocked tear canals due to the anatomy of its head. These can possibly be flushed by your vet. Some Persian cats' tear canals are blocked permanently due to the dished face and cannot be unblocked. Regular cleaning off of the discharge is necessary in that case.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on June 15th, 2017
Allergies, irritation or infection are all possibilities. Place an e-collar (cone) on Tigger to prevent trauma from excess or rough rubbing. Have him examined by your veterinarian to diagnose the cause. Your vet will check for obstructed tear ducts, corneal injury, decreased tear production and infection.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My cat's eye keeps leaking and then it drys up like how cole does in human eyes when you sleep, this usually only happens when he sleeps, is he okay there's no sign of discomfort other than blinking that one eye multiple times
If he is blinking this eye excessively also, then I would recommend taking him to your vet to have the eye examined. It is very likely he has an eye infection and in need of antibiotic eye ointment to help clear things up. Eye infections are common in cats and can be caused by a mild scratch or ulcer on the eye. They can also be caused by mild viral infections (i.e. Herpesvirus, Calicivirus). I hope your furry friends eye issue resolves soon! Best wishes and take care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat is sneezing and her eye won’t stop watering and being gooey, and is red and swollen
It looks like Kitty might have an upper respiratory infection causing conjunctivitis. A viral infection is most common, although secondary bacterial infections can also occur. A scratch on the surface of the eye could also cause redness and discharge but would not cause sneezing. I would recommend seeing your veterinarian for an exam. They can check for a scratch on the cornea or prescribe medications to treat a respiratory infection.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
hi, my name is Nasir from Malaysia. I would like to ask, I have a Persian cat nose high. the problem is often watery eyes and dirty though every day I clean them with water and medicine cat's eye. I need your advice to deal with this problem. Thanks
Persian cats are predisposed to have watery eyes and upper respiratory tract infection due to their skull and respiratory tract conformation. Aside from predisposition and normal breed features, respiratory tract infections (often viral) can lead to excessive discharge from eyes and nose and intermittent check ups and eventually antibiotic treatment may help to solve or improve Michi's condition. Cleaning eyes and nose may help greatly, so you are doing already the right thing!! I would recommend to take Michi to your local veterinarian for a check up.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
What’s going on with my cats eyes?
Excessive discharge and crusty nose as well may be due to an upper respiratory tract infection possibly due to a viral infection. These infections can be quite severe and cause superficial keratitis when they affect the cornea as well. That may be the reason for the cloudy appearance of the left eye. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has some sort of discharge coming from her eye. It’s kind of clear and runny almost looks like a tear. What could it be? It doesn’t seem to be bothering her.
A clear discharge can be caused by some irritation such as dust or excessive draft. This would not be concerning and would pass within a few hours. Sometimes cats have an obstructed tear duct and then this could also cause a transparent watery discharge. Another cause would be a viral respiratory infection. In that case however , both eyes would be affected. Monitor the discharge and if it turns yellow or green or milky she will need to be seen by a vet for a bacterial respiratory infection.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
one of my cats eyes has been watering for two days. the watering is clear and the eye doesn't appear to be red or inflamed, however it still concerns me. I just adopted her about a week ago so I'm not sure if this is normal for her or not. She is a s
This may be a symptom of an upper respiratory infection, typically herpes. Most cats are exposed to the viruses that cause URI and flare ups are quite common, especially in rescue cats that get stressed. I have attached a link regarding URI in cats for more info. I hope this helps and thank you for using Boop by Petco! https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.petcoach.co/amp/article/5-things-you-should-know-about-feline-respiratory-infections
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My female Feline has caught cold. Our vet prescribed her zovirax 200mg-5ml syrup twice a day 2ml. She has been given two dose after a gap of 12hours. I have noticed her right eye water is coming although i don't see any inflammation on the eye lid. K
Hello. It is very common for an upper respiratory tract infection to also cause eye symptoms. This may include a clear watery discharge and inflammation of the eyelids and conjunctiva. If the discharge becomes thick and yellow/ green or your cat squints or is holding the eye closed, she should be rechecked and started in eye medication as well. If the symptoms are mild as they are now, it may resolve on its own when the virus runs its course and goes away. Thank you for using Boop by Petco
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Kitten's eyes tear up, good appetite, drinking, pooping, social and active and she doesn't fuss with her face.
She likely is carrying a virus such as herpesvirus or calicivirus, which are quite common in kitties. Giving her an antiviral supplement (Lysine powder or gel) can help with this. Other possible causes are excessive tear production or conjunctivitis (which is still usually viral in nature). If her eye start to redden, if you notice her squinting or any yellow/green discharge, or continuous discharge that doesn't cease even for a little while, then a vet visit is needed to treat for a possible injury to the eyes or tear gland problem. However it is likely she is just carrying a virus and in some case cats do well with antiviral, while other require a short course of topical antibiotic ointment to get the eyes to resolve. Best wishes with your kitty. Take care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat’s left eye has been watery/teary for about a week now, is there something wrong?
It could be minor infection (bacterial or viral), foreign body, stray eye lash or even an obstructed tear duct. Without a physical exam, it is difficult to determine definitively what the underlying cause may be. If the discharge persists, consider an exam with your veterinarian. If Ruth is rubbing ornpawing at the eye, place an e-collar (cone) on her until she sees the doctor.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi there, my female cat has an ongoing runny eye. I have taken he to the vet for this before and was prescribed congunctivitus cream that was primarily for human use, at £90. It did clear up but is back again. It doesn't seem to bother her at all and
Excess tearing can be caused by a few different things, commonly including allergies, blocked tear duct, bacterial or viral infection. If there is a creamy discharge, if Pipsi is squinting often or experiences light sensitivity, or her eye appears very red, I recommend that she be evaluated by a vet. If those symptoms are not present and she seems comfortable, you can continue to clean the area with water. Sometimes viral infections that cause eye issues can respond to a lysine supplement. You can try a product like Vetri-Lysine Plus, but it may take a couple weeks for the virus to stop replicating after starting lysine.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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