What this means
A healthy cat's eyes are slightly moist, but tears do not run down the face. A visibly wet eye, damp fur beneath it or brownish marks near the corner of the eye mean there are too many tears or they are not draining. Look at whether one eye or both are watering, whether the tears are clear or the fluid is cloudy, sticky, yellow or greenish, and whether your cat is also sneezing.
A watering eye can be one of the first signs that the eye hurts. Cats hide pain, so they simply squint, rub the eye with a paw, hide or play less. Watering together with a squinted, cloudy or reddened eye is not something to wait out. Do not drop or smear anything into the eye and do not use home remedies: until the cause is known they can do harm.
The causes vary widely. Some are serious and some are simple, but only a vet who examines the eye can tell them apart. So even mild but lasting watering is worth showing, especially if only one eye is watering or your cat is slowly seeing less well.
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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Irritation of the surface of the eye
Dust, a hair or another foreign object irritates the surface of the eye and it starts to water. Usually only one eye waters, and the cat squints or rubs it.
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Damage to the cornea or an ulcer
A scratch or sore on the cornea is painful, so the eye waters and is squinted. It needs to be seen quickly so the eye does not get worse.
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Infection and inflamed eye lining
During an infection of the eyes and upper airways the eyes water, may redden and give off cloudy fluid. The cat often sneezes or has a runny nose as well.
About the condition: Conjunctivitis -
A blocked tear duct
When tears do not drain through the tear duct, they spill over the edge of the eye and wet the fur. The eye can look healthy but is constantly wet.
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Changes in the eyelids or lashes
An eyelid or lash that turns inward and scrapes the surface of the eye keeps irritating it. The eye waters and may be squinted.
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An inherited change in the cornea
When the cornea slowly loses its clarity, small blisters can form on it and they are painful. The eye then waters and the cat squints or rubs it.
About the condition: Corneal dystrophy
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Whether one eye or both are watering
- Whether the tears are clear or the fluid is cloudy, sticky or coloured
- Whether the eye is squinted or your cat rubs it with a paw
- Whether the surface of the eye looks cloudy
- Whether your cat is also sneezing, has a runny nose or is eating less
- Whether your cat has become quieter or hides more
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit if an eye has watered for more than a day or two, only one eye waters, or there is discharge. If the eye is squinted, painful or changed suddenly, see a vet the same day.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- 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.
- Corneal dystrophy Eyes An inherited condition in which the clear surface of the eye, the cornea, slowly loses its clarity and turns cloudy. It can affect both eyes and make it harder for a cat to see clearly.
Body systems: Eyes