Understanding the Origins of My Cat's Tear - Stained Eyes
Feb 10,2025 | puaintapets
Tear-stained eyes in cats can be concerning, especially if your feline friend suddenly develops brown or reddish stains under their eyes. While some staining is harmless, excessive tearing may indicate an underlying health issue.
In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why cats develop tear-stained eyes, possible health concerns, treatment options, and how to prevent tear stains from forming.
What Are Tear Stains in Cats?
Cat tear stains are reddish-brown marks that appear near the corners of the cat's eyes, usually formed when too many tears or eye secretions overflow from the corners of the eyes to the cheeks and turn brick red or black when oxidized by air.
What Causes Tear Streaks in Cats ?
There are several main reasons why cats develop tear stains.
1. Physiological structure factors
- Nasolacrimal Duct Problems
Some breeds of cats, such as Persian cats, Garfield cats and Chinchilla cats, are prone to tear stains due to the congenital curvature and narrowness of the nasolacrimal ducts or the flat facial structure, which results in tears not being able to be channeled from the nasolacrimal ducts in a timely manner.
- Inverted Eyelashes
A cat's eyelashes may grow upside down. As the eyelashes grow upside down and get stuck in the eyes, they cause frequent tears, which will slowly lead to the formation of a more serious tear trail.
2. Eye disease factors
- Infectious diseases
Cats with eye diseases such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, dacryoadenitis, trachoma, etc. will stimulate excessive tear secretion, which in turn leads to the appearance of tear stains.
Related: Conjunctivitis in Cats
- Other eye problems
Such as eyelid entropion, dacryocystitis, etc., will also lead to a foreign body sensation in the cat's eyeballs, stimulate the lacrimal glands to secrete more fluid, which is not channelled in time and produces tear stains, and at the same time will cause damage to the eyes.
3. Ear canal infection factors
Cat's ear suffers from bacterial, parasitic, mold germs infection or inflammation, which will cause itching, pain, swelling and other discomforts, which in turn stimulate the lacrimal glands to secrete tears, resulting in tear stains.
4. Dietary factors
- Food is too salty or greasy
Long-term feeding of greasy, high-salt and pigmented food to cats will irritate the eyes and lead to increased tear secretion, resulting in the formation of tear stains.
- Unbalanced nutrition
The single nutrient composition of cat food leads to malnutrition of cats, which will also lead to tear stains.
5. Other factors
- Environmental factors
Stimulation by foreign substances such as dust, bacteria and viruses in the environment, as well as dryness, too high or too low temperature of the cat's living environment may lead to tear stains.
- Stress reaction
Stress reactions such as emotional fluctuations and sudden changes in the living environment of cats can also bring about rapid secretion of tears within a short period of time, and sensitive body qualities or environmental stimuli may also lead to tearing and short-term obvious tear stains.
Also Read: Can Stress Make A Cat Miscarry
- Genetic factors
Certain breeds of cats are born prone to tear stains.
- Other Diseases
Diseases such as feline nasal branch, glaucoma, and eye tumors may also stimulate tear gland secretion and lead to tear stains.
How to Clean Cat Tear Stains?
I. Daily Cleaning
- Wiping with warm water
Gently wipe the corners of your cat's eyes and the area around the eyes with a towel or cotton ball moistened with warm water to remove eye droppings and tear stains. Be careful not to use water that is too hot or too cold to avoid irritating your cat's eyes.
- Specialized wipes
Specialized tear stain wipes for pets can be used, these wipes are usually specially treated to be gentler on your cat's eyes and skin.
II. Eye Care
- Eye drops
If your cat's tear stains are caused by an eye infection or inflammation, you can use pet-specific eye drops. Consult your veterinarian for advice before use.
- Eye Massage
Gently massaging the cat's eye area can promote the drainage of tears and reduce the formation of tear stains.
III. Dietary adjustments
- Light diet
Avoid feeding your cat too salty or greasy food and choose high quality cat food to reduce tear stains.
- Increase water intake
Ensure that cats have enough water to maintain body water balance and reduce the possibility of fire.
IV. Environmental Management
- Clean the cat's nest and toys
Clean the cat's litter and toys regularly to reduce dust and allergen irritation.
- Air Purifier
Using an air purifier can reduce dust and allergens in the air and improve the cat's living environment.
V. Prompt medical attention
If your cat's tear stains persist or are accompanied by other symptoms, such as red and swollen eyes and abnormal secretions, you should take your cat to the veterinarian for timely examination and treatment.
How to Prevent Tear Stains in Cats?
1. Diet
- Choose high quality cat food
Choose quality cat food that is light, less oily and salty, and contains fire-reducing formula for your cat, and avoid feeding food that contains too much artificial food coloring, additives, preservatives and food attractants, as well as food that is too oily, high in salt, and contains coloring.
- Increase water intake
Encourage cats to drink more water, you can prepare a clean water dispenser and replace it with fresh water every day, and you can also feed some fruits and vegetables with high water content, such as watermelon and sorbet, but pay attention to moderation to avoid diarrhea in cats.
- Supplementary Nutrition
Appropriately increase the cat's intake of vitamin A, B vitamins, lutein and other nutrients, which can be achieved by feeding fish oil, liver, purple potatoes and other foods, or you can use pet-specific nutritional supplements under the guidance of the doctor.
2. For daily care
- Cleaning the eyes
Gently wipe the cat's eyes and eye area with warm water or pet-specific eyewash every day to remove dirt and secretions, paying attention to gentle movements to avoid irritating the eyes.
- Trimming hair
Regularly trim the hair around the cat's eyes to avoid the hair being too long and irritating the eyes or getting into the eyes and causing discomfort.
- Keep the ear canal healthy
Regularly check the cat's ear canals to keep them clean and dry to prevent ear infections that may cause tear stains.
Also Read: 5 Common Ear Canal Infections
3. Environmental management
- Keep the environment clean
Regularly clean the indoor hygiene, clean up dust, hair and other allergens, and use low-dust cat litter to avoid the irritation of raised dust on the cat's eyes.
- Control environmental humidity and temperature
Maintain the appropriate humidity and temperature of the indoor environment and avoid an overly dry or humid environment.
- Reduce irritants
Avoid the use of perfume, air freshener, smoke and other irritating substances to prevent irritation to the cat's eyes.
4. Health management
- Timely treatment of diseases
If the cat develops eye diseases, ear infections, respiratory diseases, etc., take the cat to the pet hospital for treatment in a timely manner to avoid aggravation of the condition leading to aggravation of the tear stains.
- Regular physical examination
Take your cat to the pet hospital for a comprehensive physical examination on a regular basis to detect and deal with potential health problems in time.
- Vaccination on time
Vaccinate your cat on time to prevent infectious diseases such as feline nasal branch.
FAQs
How can I tell if my cat's tear - stained eyes are a serious problem?
If the tear stains are accompanied by other symptoms such as redness, swelling, discharge, or if your cat seems to be in pain or discomfort, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. Additionally, if the tear staining persists for more than a few days without any improvement, it is best to consult a veterinarian.
Can I clean my cat's tear - stained eyes at home?
You can clean your cat's tear-stained eyes at home. Using warm water and a soft cotton ball to gently wipe the tear stains around your cat's eyes is one effective way to remove them. Be very gentle when wiping and avoid rubbing hard to avoid irritating your cat's skin. You can put a drop or two of warm water on the cotton ball and then gently massage the tear-stained area to help dissolve the dried tears. It's also a good idea to choose wipes that are non-irritating and designed specifically for pets. After cleaning, gently dry the area around your cat's eyes with a clean, soft towel to ensure it stays dry.
Are there any home remedies for blocked tear ducts?
If a cat's tear tracks are only slightly wet or faint, they are usually not serious. However, if the tear marks are noticeable, the hair around the corner of the eye is colored reddish-brown, or even there is crusting or increased secretion, it may indicate that the tear marks are more serious. If tear stains persist and show no signs of improvement, even to a lesser degree, they may require further attention and management.
How can I reduce stress in my cat?
Create a quiet, warm and comfortable living environment for cats, providing enough space and suitable temperature and humidity. Reduce noise, bright light and other factors in the environment that may cause tension in the cat.
Conclusion
Tear-stained eyes in cats can be a result of natural tear production, infections, allergies, or anatomical factors. While some staining is harmless, excessive tear stains should be addressed to rule out underlying health concerns.
By keeping your cat’s eyes clean, addressing medical issues, and making dietary adjustments, you can help reduce tear stains and keep your cat’s eyes healthy. If your cat experiences chronic or worsening tear stains, a vet consultation is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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