How to Treat a Cat's Eye Irritation

Your cat's eyes are susceptible to irritation just like yours, but she doesn't have the ability to diagnose and treat herself. Help her out by determining the cause and assisting her in finding some soothing relief. With a few simple guidelines, your fluffy friend can be on the mend.

Instructions

1. Wrap your kitty in a towel before you attempt to treat her eye irritation. Cats do not like activity near their eyes and you may suffer some painful scratches, despite your helpful intent. Use a second towel around the first one if you need more security.

2. Clean her eyes with a soft wet washcloth. Gently wipe the dried matter from her eyes, fur and whiskers. After you remove the discharge, you will have a better view of the eye, itself.

3. Check for scratches on the eyeball, cuts to the eyelid or a foreign object, such as a piece of grass in the eye. If none of these is present, your cat likely has pink eye and you can treat her accordingly.

4. Purchase an eye scrub made specifically for animals at the pet store or use one made for humans. Either one will work well. Alternately, use artificial tears and flush out the affected eye to remove matter and debris.

5. Close the windows when the pollen count is high. Dust and pollens can irritate your cat's eyes and lead to an increased risk of infection. This is particularly important when you are riding in the car to prevent strong breezes that irritate her eyes.

6. Groom your long-haired kitty to keep the fur out of her eyes. Certain breeds of cats have so much facial fur over their eyes that it hangs down and is a constant source of eye irritation. If your cat is not in professional competition, ask the groomer to trim the excess fur.
   The whiskers, however, on her eyebrows should never be cut as they serve as sensory antennae and keep her safe.

Tips & Warnings

• See your veterinarian if your cat's eye irritation persists or worsens after you begin treatment.

Resources

• Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook
• The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats: Over 1,000 Solutions to Your Pet's Problems - From Top Vets, Trainers, Breeders, and Other Animal Experts
• The Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health: The complete pet health resource for your dog, cat, horse or other pets - in everyday language. (Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health (Home Edition)