How to Get Rid of Cat Eye Boogers & Discharge

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The best way to clean your feline friend's eyes
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Looking for a way to clean the gunk collecting around your kitten's or cat’s eyes? Cats can develop gunk or boogers in their eyes because of allergies, seasonal changes, and other natural causes. However, if your cat shows other symptoms like swelling or redness, it may be a sign of a health issue. We spoke to animal behaviorist Daniel Lioy-Ryan to find the best way to safely wipe away the discharge from your cat’s eyes. We’ll also tell you how to know when it may be time to visit a vet.

Cleaning a Cat's Eyes: Quick Overview

Dip a cotton ball or pad in distilled or boiled and cooled water. Gently squeeze it out and wipe the gunk from each corner of their eye down. Once you’ve cleaned one eye, grab a fresh cotton ball or pad for the other eye. Clean their eyes every time you notice discharge to keep them healthy and happy.

Section 1 of 3:

Cleaning Cat Eye Discharge

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  1. Boiling your water sanitizes it and makes sure that there’s no bacteria or other germs in it that could harm your cat’s eyes. [1] Heat some water on the stove or in a kettle, let it cool until it’s barely warm, and pour it into a bowl. Place the bowl nearby so you can reach it while cleaning your cat’s eyes.
    • Animal behaviorist Daniel Lioy-Ryan says that a warm cotton ball “feels better to the kitty” and “is going to break up the gunk more easily than a cold compress or a dry compress.” [2]
    • Wash your hands with soap and water before touching your cat’s eyes.
    • Alternatively, use warm distilled water. You can also steep two green or black tea bags, allow them to cool, and place them gently on your cat’s eyes to soothe irritation or itchiness.
  2. Sit your cat in your lap with their head facing away from you and gently hold their chin. If your cat is prone to scratching, lay out a large towel and place them in the middle. Gently press their shoulders until they lie down, pull the front of the towel around their neck, and fold the ends of the towel around the cat. [3]
    • Alternatively, ask a friend to help you hold your cat still.
    • If your cat usually doesn’t mind being handled, you can also gently hold their face while they’re comfortably resting in your home.
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  3. Once you have your cat in a still position, dip the cotton ball in the bowl of water and squeeze it out. Wipe the gunk from the corner of your cat’s eye down toward their mouth, pressing gently. Once you have cleaned one eye, use a fresh cotton ball or pad for the other eye. [4]
    • Lioy-Ryan says you can also purchase pet wipes with a solution that is “specifically formulated to break down the salts that actually produce [everything] in the cat's tears.” [5]
    • Using the same cotton ball twice can spread bacteria and may lead to an infection.
    • Keep your cat’s eyes healthy by cleaning them whenever you see discharge and taking them to the vet for regular vaccinations.
    • If the area around the eye is wet after cleaning, use a tissue to dry it. [6]
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Section 2 of 3:

When to Bring Your Cat to the Vet

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  1. If your cat is constantly squinting, tearing up, or pawing at their eyes, inspect them in a brightly lit area. A healthy cat’s eyes are clear and bright, and the area around the eyeball is white. Take your cat to the vet if they show any of these symptoms: [7]
    • Goopy, sticky, or smelly discharge
    • Green or yellow discharge
    • Light sensitivity
    • Red, inflamed, or swollen eyes
    • Cloudiness or change in eye color
    • Pupils that are unequal in size
    • Visible third eyelid
    • Disinterest in food or diarrhea
    • Lethargy
    • Vision impairment
Section 3 of 3:

Eye Discharge Causes and Treatments

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  1. Conjunctivitis is the most common eye disorder in cats, and is most often caused by allergies, dust, chemicals in the air, or exposure to certain outdoor plants. Conjunctivitis can also be a sign of a disease like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukemia virus (FLV), so it’s important to go to a vet if your cat shows symptoms. [8]
    • Symptoms: Squinting, frequent blinking, swollen and red third eyelid, or colorless watery or dark-colored thick eye discharge.
    • Treatments: In most cases, conjunctivitis will go away on its own, but a vet might prescribe antibiotic eyedrops or an ointment.
  2. Respiratory infections are common in cats and can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or protozoa. Common infections include feline herpes virus (FHV), calicivirus, chlamydiosis, or fungal infections like C. neoformans. [9]
    • Symptoms: Clear or colored discharge from the eyes or nose, coughing, sneezing, third eyelid swelling, lethargy, decreased appetite, or difficult or rapid breathing.
    • Treatments: Treatments depend on the cause of the infection, but they might include antivirals, medications, antibiotics, fluids, or anti-fungal drugs.
  3. Injuries to your cat’s cornea, the clear surface that covers the front of the eye, are caused by scratches sustained in cat fights, ingrown eyelashes, dirt trapped underneath the eyelid, exposure to chemicals, or a viral or bacterial infection. It can also be a sign of a bigger disease like feline herpes virus (FHV). [10]
    • Symptoms: Eye discharge, inflammation around the eye, cornea clouding, or sensitivity to bright light. Your cat might also squint, rub its eyes, or have difficulty seeing.
    • Treatments: Treatment depends on the severity of the ulcer, but will normally focus on controlling inflammation, reducing pain, and preventing the spread of infection if present.
  4. Tearing eyes can be caused by an obstruction in your cat’s nasal duct, called epiphora, and is more common in Persian and Himalayan cats. Usually, this condition isn’t a cause for concern. If it leads to medical problems or otherwise becomes an issue, you may need to visit a vet. [11]
    • Lioy-Ryan says that Persians “have abbreviated nasal passages because their noses are pushed in or truncated,” which can “actually result in a whole lot of drainage from the eyes.” [12]
    • Symptoms: Watery eyes or brown or reddish stained fur around the eyes.
    • Treatments: A vet can surgically open up the ducts and remove the obstruction, allowing the tears to flow properly again. [13]
  5. Uveitis is the inflammation of any of the internal parts of your cat’s eye. Usually, it’s caused by a larger issue like high blood pressure, feline leukemia virus (FLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline infectious peritonitis, toxoplasmosis, melanoma (skin cancer), or a fungal infection. [14]
    • Symptoms: Decreased vision, red eyes, squinting, water eyes, cloudy or differently colored irises, altered pupil size, or sensitivity to light.
    • Treatments: Depending on the cause of the inflammation, a vet might prescribe internal medications or topical eye medications. Extreme situations may require surgery.
  6. Dry eye can be caused by poor tear production, resulting in chronically dry eyes. This disease is not common in cats, but may be a sign of feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV1). [15]
    • Symptoms: Excessive blinking, squinting, third eyelid swelling, redness around the eye, cornea clouding, impaired vision or blindness, or cloudy white, yellow, or green eye discharge.
    • Treatments: Artificial tear solutions, ointments, and medications. If medicine doesn’t work, surgery may be required to correct the problem.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Should I clean my cat's eye boogers?
    Daniel Lioy-Ryan, PhD
    Animal Behaviorist
    Dr. Daniel Lioy-Ryan is an Animal Behaviorist and the Co-Founder of Cats in the City. With over a decade of experience, he specializes in understanding animal behavior, safely grooming cats, and working with cats at all life stages. Dr. Lioy-Ryan holds a PhD in Neuroscience from The Oregon Health & Science University.
    Daniel Lioy-Ryan, PhD
    Animal Behaviorist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, you should, especially if you have a cat with abbreviated nasal passages, as their noses are more pushed-in, which results in a lot of drainage from the eyes.
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    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 16
  • Question
    How can I clean my cat's eyes naturally?
    Daniel Lioy-Ryan, PhD
    Animal Behaviorist
    Dr. Daniel Lioy-Ryan is an Animal Behaviorist and the Co-Founder of Cats in the City. With over a decade of experience, he specializes in understanding animal behavior, safely grooming cats, and working with cats at all life stages. Dr. Lioy-Ryan holds a PhD in Neuroscience from The Oregon Health & Science University.
    Daniel Lioy-Ryan, PhD
    Animal Behaviorist
    Expert Answer
    Well, if you don't want to buy an specific product, you can always use a warm compress. The warm water will help break up the gunk more easily than a cold or dry compress would.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 10
  • Question
    When should I take my cat to the vet for eye discharge?
    Daniel Lioy-Ryan, PhD
    Animal Behaviorist
    Dr. Daniel Lioy-Ryan is an Animal Behaviorist and the Co-Founder of Cats in the City. With over a decade of experience, he specializes in understanding animal behavior, safely grooming cats, and working with cats at all life stages. Dr. Lioy-Ryan holds a PhD in Neuroscience from The Oregon Health & Science University.
    Daniel Lioy-Ryan, PhD
    Animal Behaviorist
    Expert Answer
    If you're unable to clean the gunk on your cat's eyes easily with a warm compress or a wipe, it's best to take the animal to the vet, as you can hurt him and cause infections if you're not careful or if you rub his eyes with force.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      • Try to avoid using over-the-counter eye drops or washes for your cat unless your vet has prescribed them.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Warm clean water
      • Cotton balls, tissues, pet wipes , or cotton pads.
      • Black or green tea bags (optional)
      • A towel or blanket (optional)

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.michigan.gov/michiganprepares/be-informed/floods/how-to-boil-or-disinfect-water
      2. ↑ Daniel Lioy-Ryan, PhD. Animal Behaviorist. Expert Interview. 17 August 2021.
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/7U1czeyy2ag?t=28
      4. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cat-grooming-tips
      5. ↑ Daniel Lioy-Ryan, PhD. Animal Behaviorist. Expert Interview. 17 August 2021.
      6. ↑ https://icatcare.org/advice/caring-for-your-cats-eyes/
      7. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cat-grooming-tips
      8. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/conjunctivitis
      9. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/respiratory-infections
      1. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/corneal-ulcers
      2. ↑ https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/eye-disorders-of-cats/disorders-of-the-nasal-cavity-and-tear-ducts-in-cats
      3. ↑ Daniel Lioy-Ryan, PhD. Animal Behaviorist. Expert Interview. 17 August 2021.
      4. ↑ https://cats.com/epiphora-in-cats
      5. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7110830/
      6. ↑ https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/eye-disorders-of-cats/disorders-of-the-nasal-cavity-and-tear-ducts-in-cats

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean gunk from your cat's eyes, start by boiling some water to sterilize it and then letting it cool to room temperature. Next, dip a cotton ball or soft towel in the water, and carefully wipe away the gunk in one of your cat's eyes with it. When you're finished, use a new cotton ball or towel to wipe your cat's other eye so you don't spread bacteria. If your cat won't stay still, try holding it in your lap with its head facing away from you. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, like how to clean your cat's eyes using tea bags, read on!

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