Basic Eye Care for Cats

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

30 Nov 2006 12:39 PM

You may not think about eye care as part of your duties as a cat (or dog) owner. But your cat's eyes are very valuable!

A healthy cat should have eyes that are moist and clear. Redness, swelling, clouding, squinting, and discharge can all be signs of an eye infection. If you suspect something is wrong, you should call your veterinarian as soon as possible.

What should you include in your feline eye care routine?

Include eye cleanings in your cat grooming efforts. Use a sterile eyewash or disposable eye wipes to keep the eye area clean. Mucous can be a breeding ground for bacteria that lead to serious eye infections! Take special care if you have a kitten -- kittens can have large amounts of mucous in and around their eyes thanks to upper respiratory infections.

Watch the hair around your cat's eyes. You might be surprised to know that a single hair can scratch the surface of your cat's eyes! Take special care with long-haired breeds and breeds with skin folds near the eyes, like Persians. You can trim the hair around the eye with blunt-nosed scissors. Cut the hair parallel to the edge of the eye.

Certain breeds of cat are prone to tear staining. Normally, tears stay on the surface of the eye to fight bacteria, then drain out through tear ducts into the nose. Tears that spill out of the eye react with bacteria on the skin and hair to discolor the area near the corner of the eye. Check with your veterinarian for tear stain removal products. Be sure to clean the area at least once a week.

Planning to bathe your cat? Your veterinarian can help you pick a protective ophthalmic ointment to apply to your cat's eyes before bathing. This will help protect the eyes from shampoo and other irritants. Even so-called tearless shampoos can cause irritation.

More about grooming from Families.com!

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger