It is not something unknown to people about how cats constantly keep grooming themselves. Cats always ensure that their fur is untangled, clean and smooth all the time. Did you ever notice the interesting and unique way in which they clean themselves? For the places that are hard to reach, they use their paws and tongue just as humans use their hands. Cats tend to lick the back portion of their paw and then rub their head, face and ears with it.
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How to Properly Clean Your Cat’s Eyes
Although the cats are thorough 99.9% of the time, at times, they miss some vulnerable and important spots of infection like inside their eyes and ears. If you have to avoid that, you should definitely keep a close watch on the grooming process of the kitty and educate yourself on how you should clean the cat’s ears, eyes and other infected places.
Before you begin to throw your cat inside the bathtub, which he will totally hate, read on the information given here to know the special cleaning techniques and the products to use to save the pet from the discomfort of getting sick.
When do you need to clean your cat’s eyes?
There is no doubt about the fact that your cat’s eyes are usually bright, clear and a bit gooey. He may be pawing on them or rubbing his face against a surface or on the rug – this is a sign that something is wrong. Anything from a normal cough and cold to a serious illness can lead to eye discharge among cats. Before you learn how to clean their eyes, know a bit on the causes of eye discharge among your feline friends.
Causes of Eye Discharge among Cats
The eyes of a healthy cat should be clear and bright. Eye problems will bring out another cat nature where you will always find him pawing at his eyes, blinks and squints excessively. Eye problems among cats will lead to dangerous consequences which can sometimes even lead to blindness or surgery. So, whenever you notice irritation in your cat’s eyes, instantly take him to a vet. Here are the potential reasons for eye discharge among cats.
- Upper respiratory infections: One of the most common reasons of eye discharge is a virus like feline calicivirus. This is a contagious respiratory issue, rhinotracheitis, pneumonitis, protozoa or other forms of bacteria. Symptoms can include pus-like eye discharge that’s sticky.
- Conjunctivitis: The light pink lining around the eyes of the cats get inflamed in conjunctivitis and this leads to swollen and light-sensitive eyes. This leads to thick, teary and mucus-eyed discharge. Conjunctivitis is usually accompanied by diarrhea, fever and trouble in breathing.
- Corneal issues: The cornea of the cat is dome-shaped and it covers the front portion of the eye. The cornea can be injured, inflamed and ulcerated. The result will lead to blinking, cloudiness, inflammation and production of tears.
- Teary or watery eyes: This is when the tear ducts of the cat’s eyes are blocked and it causes allergies, viral conjunctivitis, overproduction of tears and abnormal tearing.
Cleaning your cat’s eyes – What to do?
Cats are independent animals that have strong and adamant personalities. They are creatures that don’t prefer to be touched when they are not in a mood. Hence, when you wish to clean a specific area, you should make sure you’re gently about your touch.
How to clean your cat’s eyes at home
Transporting your pet to the vet’s office can often be a stressful process. It could be a great idea, hence to do it at your home. If you want to know about some of the home remedies of cleaning your cat’s eyes, check out the steps below.
#1: Use a soft piece of cloth and lukewarm water for cleaning
Dip the soft piece of cloth in water and bring it to a boiling temperature so that any kind of harmful bacteria dies. Let it dry but before it dries out completely, wrap it on your finger and start the process of cleaning from the inner corner next to the nose to the outward eye. Make sure you move the cloth gently and always in one direction – from the corner to the outside part of the eye.
#2: Use sterilized water and make-up removal cotton
This method is advised especially when your feline has had crusty discharge all over his eyes. There are several reasons why this might happen but generally, developing the crust is a symptom of a potential eye disease. Hence, as soon as you notice this crust, it is better to clean it up. Take some neat cotton pads and soak them in sterilized water. Remove the debris and dirt to make sure the infected area is filled in water. Though your cat won’t prefer this yet this is for its good.
In case you don’t find improvements within the next 2-4 days, his eyes can get worse. This is when you should take him to the vet for proper treatment. This is the point when your pet loses his fight against bacteria and he has to overcome this with the help of proper medication.
#3: Use tea for better care
One more efficient method of diminishing harmful bacteria is by utilizing the anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties of tea. All you have to do is make herbal or chamomile tea and allow it to cool down. Once the cooling is done, apply the same on your feline’s eyes. This will make sure you offer added care and protection and although your feline friend will protest to this and even bite you but he will definitely thank you later.
Although it is true that cats are all experts as long as grooming and cleaning are concerned, yet there are times when they need help from their owners to deal with tough situations like cleaning eyes thoroughly. Before you take any step, make sure you don’t forget to wash your hands with soap. This way, you can be rest assured that your cat’s eye disorders won’t aggravate. Also make sure you use separate tools for both eyes.