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My cat's eye is squinting. What's wrong and when should I see a vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Maine Coon | Female | 2 years old | 3.4 lbs

My cat has been squinting her left eye for 2 days..i cleaned her eye with a clean wet cotton ball and put a moisturizing eyedrop every couple of hours..it gets better for a while then she starts squinting again..she's 2 years old..shes still eating and playing as always..she had all her vaccinations but her yearly ones has been delayed due to Covid-19 and no working vet clinics..she plays and fights with my other cat but they never had any accidents.. Is it serious? And what should i do? Thanks

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4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

Veterinarian

Published on May 3rd, 2020

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. From the pictures you posted it does not look that there is anything very serious going on with her left eye. Squinting the eye could be result of trauma (usually scratch from another cat) or infection. Please, keep wiping the eye and giving her soothing eye drops. If the eye is not back to normal after 5-6 days, you will have to try and get her seen by a vet.

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    Answered By Dr. B. DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 12th, 2018

    It looks like she is having some eye discharge as well? And any sneezing or nasal discharge? The squinting could be from irritation or pain. If she is having some of the other symptoms, or even if not, she could be having a upper respiratory (URI) flare up (most cats have been exposed to these viruses in their life, herpes the most common). In the picture she looks to be a kitten, was she a rescue? Many rescue kitties have URI flare ups over their lifes. Some of these kitties do have a secondary bacterial infection as well. Other common causes can include a scratch to the eye (ulcer) and inflammation in the eye (uveitis). These would be more serious. If she think she seems uncomfortable, is pawing at the eye, there is a notable defect to the clear part of the eye, or she is not eating well i would have a vet examine her eye to rule out an ulcer and make sure she does not need any other supportive care. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

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    Answered By Amy Poole, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 18th, 2017

    Poor Penelope! Squinting is a sign of eye pain, so I definitely would take her in to your vet to have her evaluated. She may have a bacterial or viral infection that needs to be treated, a blocked tear duct, or even a scratch on her cornea. Your vet will need to look into her eye with a special light to see if there are any abnormalities and possibly apply a stain to her eye to evaluate the surface of the eye.

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    Answered By Debi Matlack

    Veterinary Technician

    Published on January 31st, 2018

    Your cat likely has conjunctivitis. I recommend getting her in to see your vet. They will do an ophthalmic exam, checking carefully to make sure there isn't any damage to the eyeball itself. Antibiotic ointment will probably be prescribed. Getting it treated sooner rather than later will head off the possibility that the itching and irritation will cause her to rub her face and eye to the point that she does injure the cornea.

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