Cat Eye Infection: Causes, Treatments, and What to Watch For

When your cat squints, rubs its eye, or has sticky discharge, it’s not just a nuisance—it’s a sign of cat eye infection, a common but potentially serious condition in cats caused by bacteria, viruses, or irritants. Also known as feline conjunctivitis, it can start mild but quickly worsen without proper care. Unlike human eye infections, cat eye issues often stem from underlying viruses like feline herpesvirus, which stays in the system for life and flares up during stress. Ignoring it doesn’t make it go away—it makes it worse.

Feline conjunctivitis, the most frequent type of cat eye infection, involves inflammation of the thin tissue lining the eyelids and covering the white part of the eye. You’ll notice redness, swelling, and either clear watery fluid or thick yellow-green gunk. If your cat’s eye is sealed shut in the morning, that’s a red flag. It’s not allergies—it’s infection. And while some pet owners reach for human eye drops, those can be dangerous. Cats metabolize meds differently. What helps a person can blind a cat. That’s why treatments like cat eye medication, including topical antibiotics and antiviral ointments prescribed by vets, are so specific. Fluorometholone, for example, is a steroid eye drop used in cats for inflammation, but only under strict supervision—misuse can cause glaucoma or corneal ulcers.

It’s not just about the eye itself. A persistent eye infection can signal something bigger—like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), upper respiratory infection, or even a foreign object stuck under the eyelid. That’s why a vet exam isn’t optional. Blood tests, eye stains, and swabs are quick, non-invasive, and often necessary to find the root cause. Antibiotics won’t fix a viral problem. Antivirals won’t help if there’s a blocked tear duct. And no, home remedies like breast milk or tea bags don’t work—they just delay real treatment.

What you’ll find in these posts isn’t just general advice. You’ll see real comparisons: how fluorometholone works for uveitis versus other eye meds, why first-gen antihistamines might make your cat’s eye symptoms worse, and how certain drugs can trigger serious side effects in sensitive animals. There’s no fluff—just clear, practical info from real cases. Whether your cat has a one-time flare-up or chronic issues, you’ll walk away knowing what to ask your vet, what meds to avoid, and how to spot trouble before it escalates.