Excessive lacrimation from the eyes is the result of a narrowing of the nasolacrimal duct or a response to external and internal irritants. Only a veterinarian can determine the exact cause. But you can distinguish pathology from a natural physiological process that does not require medication.

Main reasons

The discharge from the conjunctival sac onto the outer surface of the eyelid can be chronic or appear spontaneously.

Breed predisposition. If a cat’s eyes began to water in early childhood, and she belongs to a breed of brachycephalic type (with a flattened muzzle), the problem of watery eyes is associated with a congenital curvature of the nasolacrimal duct due to breed characteristics. A similar anomaly can be found in Persian, exotic, British shorthair, Scottish and Himalayan cats.

Acquired obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct. If the eyes begin to water in old age (after the 7th year of life), the problem may lie in age-related changes. Sometimes the nasolacrimal duct becomes overgrown and begins to narrow due to an infectious disease or irreversible age-related changes in the body.

Reaction to bright light. If the eyes begin to water in newborn kittens who are just getting used to sunlight, the discharge is associated with temporary photophobia caused by being in the dark for a long time and the lack of a high concentration of pigment (melanin) in the iris of the eyes. A cat’s eyes gain color only in the first six months of life. Therefore, lacrimation in babies is considered normal. If photophobia appears in an adult cat, it is a symptom of ophthalmological disorders or viral diseases of cats.

Reaction to irritating volatile compounds. If a cat’s eyes begin to run in a smoky room or after contact with a person who has just used perfume, the reaction is associated with the appearance of caustic volatile compounds in the air that irritate the mucous membranes. Similar symptoms are observed when peeling onions and smoking cigarettes. The lacrimation will go away on its own after the irritating factor is completely eliminated.

Mechanical eye injury. If the eyeball is injured by a sharp object or as a result of a strong blunt blow, the eyes water in response to irritation of the nerve endings and local hemorrhage. Injury can occur as a result of scratching the muzzle with sharp claws, after a fight with other animals, or contact with piercing objects. When receiving a mechanical injury, the cat squints the injured eye and tries to avoid direct sunlight.

Getting a foreign object into the eye. Getting small grains of sand, plant seeds, splinters or even hairs of your own fur into the eye can lead to irritation of the mucous membrane. Usually a foreign body can be noticed during a veil examination. It is enough to pull the lower eyelid towards you and examine the mucous membrane.

Allergy. If your eyes are watering due to an allergic reaction, the problem is a violent reaction of the immune system in response to the entry of a foreign antigen into the body, which may be contained in the external environment or food. An allergic reaction can be caused by food, medications, litter in the tray, or plant pollen. A cat suffering from allergies begins to constantly sneeze, scratch and behave restlessly.

Prevention with eyes in cats

Carry out regular inspections. Examine your cat’s eyes every week.

Maintain good hygiene. Wipe your eyes with hygiene lotion from the pet store. Tear fluid contains proteins and carbohydrate compounds. Therefore, they become a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic microorganisms. If the tear tracks remain on the inner corner of the eye, the cat will begin to scratch it with its paw and introduce an infection inside.

Balance your diet. Choose food that is suitable for your cat’s age and does not cause an allergic reaction. Experts recommend choosing premium or super-premium food. They are produced without dyes and flavor enhancers, so they are suitable for cats prone to allergies.

Stick to your vaccination and parasite treatment schedule. Get an annual revaccination against common viral diseases of cats and treat your pet against external and internal parasites in accordance with the instructions of the chosen product. A veterinarian will help you choose a drug.

Get an annual medical examination. Examine your cat’s vital systems annually. This will help prevent the development of serious pathologies and improve the pet’s quality of life.