How To Keep Your Cat’s Eyes Healthy

Cats can have so many eye problems and it is a shame to see that pet owners fail to understand how important it is to constantly check the eyes during check-ups. The vet will always analyze the eyes during an exam but cat owners rarely do so. The best thing you can do is inspect them right before a home grooming session.

We would like to help cat owners from all around the world by offering some really simple tips anyone can use in order to maintain proper eye health.

Home Inspections

This is much simpler than what many believe. Simply put the cat’s face in front of an area that is brightly lit. Look at the eyes as they have to be bright and clear. The area around the pet’s eyeball has to be white. Pupils have to be equal when analyzing the size. You can roll the eyelid down by using your thumb. Make sure you do so gently. The purpose of this is to look at the eyelid’s lining as it has to be pink. A problem exists when it is white or red.

What Should You Look At?

When you analyze the eyes, look for this:

• Watering
• Tear-stained fur
• Discharge
• White or red eyelid lining
• A crusty gunk located in the eye’s corner
• The presence of a third eyelid
• Eye color change or cloudiness
• Cats that constantly keep the eyes closed

Wipe The Cat’s Eyes!

Whenever you notice crusty gunks around the eyes, wipe it away by using a cotton ball. Make sure it is damp and wipe away from eye corner. You should use a fresh ball for one eye. The hairs that are long and that poke the cat’s eyes have to be snipped away. Never use eye drops or eye washes if the vet does not prescribe it. Whenever noticing discharges that are not natural while you examine the cat’s eyes, go to the vet.

Behavior Facts To Be Aware Of

Eye distress can be signaled by the cat’s body language. Whenever you notice that the cat is pawning or squinting the eye region, look at the eyes. When you see that the symptoms above are present, go to the doctor.

Common Cat Eye Disorders

Take a look at the following list of eye related conditions as they are the most common one a cat owner will have to deal with:

• Third Eyelid Protrusion – When you see a third eyelid or it crosses the eye of the cat, a wound may be present or the pet might suffer from a virus, worms or diarrhea.
• Conjunctivitis – Just as with humans, discharge may be present and you will see eyes that are swollen and red.
• Cataracts – This can appear in cats that are diabetic or when they are elderly.
• Keratitis – The condition shows a cornea that is inflamed. You will notice that the eye is watery and cloudy when that happens.
• Bulging eyes – Caused by eye tumors, trauma or accidents.
• Glaucoma – The cat’s cornea is clouded and eyes are enlarged because of high eyeball pressure.

Prevention And Treatment Of Cat Eye Problems

Treating most of the conditions that affect a cat’s eyes is possible with medication that the vet offers. However, what is really important is learning all that you can about prevention. Make sure that the cat has all vaccinations and that you get the time for check-ups. Eyes have to regularly be examined and whenever abnormalities are noticed, GO TO THE VET!