Have you ever noticed how captivating your cat's bright eyes look? But when issues arise like excessive tearing or discharge, it not only diminishes their charm but can also seriously harm their health. So, it's crucial to always keep an eye on your cat's eyes and their condition.
You should know that a cat's tears are not an emotional response like ours due to feelings of excitement, happiness, or sadness. In many cases, tearing is a warning signal from the cat's body. For instance, when a cat is in a new environment or its old environment undergoes changes, the cat may react to the smells or dust particles in the surroundings, leading to eye discomfort. To alleviate this discomfort, the cat automatically produces tears. This is similar to how we react to the smell of onions or when our eyes come in contact with sand, resulting in tearing to alleviate the discomfort. To tackle this issue, you can identify and eliminate the source of the irritating smell and maintain a clean, fresh environment for your cat.
Another factor that contributes to a cat's tearful eyes is a problem with its diet. Extremely dry, greasy, or spicy food can cause the cat's eyes to become inflamed, leading to excessive tearing. As a pet owner, you should choose food that's more on the mild side and ensure your cat has access to plenty of warm drinking water. If possible, you can also prepare home-cooked cat food or wet cat food to maintain your cat's eye health.
It's important to note that a cat's tearful eyes can also be a result of certain medical conditions like a cold, conjunctivitis, uveitis, or feline herpes virus. Cats have particularly sensitive eyes and are susceptible to infections from bacteria and viruses, leading to redness, inflammation, and increased tear production. Therefore, regularly observing your cat's health is essential. If you notice any eye inflammation or unusual symptoms, immediately take your cat to a veterinarian to prevent further deterioration of their health.
To sum up, a cat's eyes are a vital window to their overall health, so it's crucial to be vigilant about their eye condition. If any abnormalities are detected, don't delay in taking necessary steps to ensure their eye health and continue enjoying their captivating gaze.