Why are my cat's eyes tearing and red?

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Have you recently noticed that your cat's eyes are unusually red and tearing? Here's our advice on why this could be, and what you should do.

Q) What can I do if my cat’s eye is tearing and red?

Red and watery eyes can be a sign of an injury, as well as an infection. One of the cat flu viruses, Herpes Virus, commonly causes problems with eyes. Many of the cats affected, need a course of antibiotics and occasionally anti-viral medication.

Before we start putting anything into the eye, we must make sure that there is no damage to the eye surface or a foreign body hiding under the eyelids. Please make an appointment with your vet. Your cat must be examined sooner rather than later.

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Top tips

  • Generally, cats' eyes do not need cleaning. However, some cats with flat faces will have eyes that run and need wiping regularly. To do this, use a damp piece of cotton wool — remember to use a fresh piece of cotton wool for each eye.

Advice given by vet Aga Zoltowska.