What this means
A healthy cat sometimes has a little dark, dry matter in the corners of its eyes, and that means nothing bad. It is different when the discharge turns yellowish, greenish or sticky, keeps increasing, and after sleep the cat can barely open its eyes. That shows the surface of the eye or the conjunctiva is inflamed.
If both eyes have discharge and the cat is sneezing too, it looks more like an infection that can spread to other cats. If only one eye is affected, something may have got into it or the cornea may be damaged. A kitten's eyes glued shut with pus can be harmed very quickly, so a kitten needs to see a vet the same day.
Note which eye is affected, the colour of the discharge, whether your cat is squinting or sneezing, and whether it is eating. Do not put eye drops meant for people into its eyes and do not try anything at home instead of an examination: some products can harm a damaged cornea.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your cat.
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Cat flu
A viral infection causes pus-like discharge from the eyes and nose, sneezing and sometimes fever. It spreads easily between cats.
About the condition: Cat flu (upper respiratory infection) -
Conjunctivitis
The inflamed pink tissue around the eye swells and reddens, and the eye waters or produces discharge. Infection, irritants or allergy can cause it.
About the condition: Conjunctivitis -
Damage to the cornea or an ulcer
A scratch or sore on the surface of the eye hurts, the eye is held half shut, and infection can get into the damaged spot. Such an eye needs to be seen quickly.
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A foreign body or irritation
A bit of grass, dust or a hair under the eyelid causes watering and later pus-like discharge. Then one eye is affected.
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A blocked tear duct
When tears cannot drain, they pool in the corners of the eye, and the standing fluid can become infected and start to discharge.
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Changes in the eyelids or lashes
An eyelid that turns inwards or a lash that rubs the eye keeps irritating it, so it waters, reddens and can discharge.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Which eye is affected, or whether both are
- The colour and thickness of the discharge
- Whether your cat squints or rubs the eye with its paw
- Whether the eye looks cloudy or changed
- Whether your cat is sneezing or has a runny nose
- Whether it is eating as usual
When to book a routine visit
Book an examination if the eyes have had discharge for more than a day or two, even if your cat otherwise seems bright. If the eye is painful, held shut or cloudy, contact a vet the same day, because sight can be lost quickly.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Cat flu (upper respiratory infection) Infections An infection of the nose, throat and eyes, caused mainly by two viruses, feline herpesvirus and calicivirus, sometimes together with bacteria. It spreads easily between cats and is especially hard on kittens.
- Conjunctivitis Eyes Inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin pink membrane lining the inside of the eyelids and the front of the eyeball. The eye turns red, swells, waters or produces discharge, and the cat squints.
Body systems: Infections Eyes