Can You Use Eye Drops On Cats

What Should I Look For In Cat Eye Drops

When shopping for cat eye drops, consider the following factors:

• Active Ingredients. The active ingredients may vary depending on the reason for administering eye drops. An antibacterial eye drop will contain something like ciprofloxacin, a broad-spectrum antibacterial. If your cat requires an anti-inflammatory, you may want to use something with dexamethasone.
• Purpose. The cause of the eye infection will determine the type of eye drops you require. Get an eye drop to clear up the specific ailment your cat is suffering from to get the best results.
• Minimal Ingredients. When it comes to the health of your pets eyes, you want to use the fewest ingredients possible. The eyes are sensitive, and if an infection is present already, then introducing multiple other substances may make it worse.

Applying Eye Drops To Cats

The proper administration of eye medication is critical in helping your cat quickly recover from an eye injury or infection. Make sure you have carefully read the drug label and understand the prescription instructions. If you have any questions, contact your veterinarian for clarification prior to administering any medication.

“Wash your hands before and after administering the medication to prevent contamination and/or the potential spread of infection.”

Wash your hands before and after administering the medication to prevent contamination or the potential spread of infection. Be sure to keep the eye medications applicator tip clean and do not allow it to contact the cat, the surface of the eye, eyelids, or any other surface. If this occurs, clean the tip by wiping it off with a clean cloth, and ask your veterinarian for specific cleaning instructions.

If your cat’s eye is painful, you may need to have someone assist you with restraint. Usually, as the treatment begins to take effect, the pain lessens and assistance becomes less necessary.

Here are some helpful tips and step-by-step instructions to make administering your cat’s eye medications easier:

• Gently clean away any debris around your cat’s eyes with warm water and a washcloth prior to administering the eye drops. This can be soothing and prepare your cat for administering the medication.

• Hold the bottle close to the eye but DO NOT touch the eye’s surface with the applicator.

Antibiotic & Other Treatments For Eye Infections In Cats

Eye infections in cats can be caused by a host of issues from bacterial or viral infections to injuries or other more serious underlying conditions. The cause of your cat’s eye infection will dictate the treatment recommended by your veterinarian. Here our Charlotte vets share some of the most common treatments for eye infections in cats.

Also Check: American Shorthair Kittens For Adoption

Eye Drops: A Necessary Evil

If youve ever been to an eye doctor or had contacts, you know about eye drops. At first, they are a bit cold and tingly, but after awhile, you get used to them. If your pet has had an eye problem, youve probably been asked to use eye drops or ointments. The eye drops, obviously, are designed to treat the problem and make your pet feel better. But actually getting the drops in? Well, heres where it gets a little dicey. Depending on your pet, instilling eye drops may resemble a military standoff, a hide-and-seek adventure or a chaotic mess. It gets even harder once they catch on to your plan because they become experts at squinting, blinking right as the drop hits or contorting their bodies to prevent any drop-to-eye contact.

Cats come armed with claws and higher intelligence allowing them to know exactly when you are even thinking about eye drops then finely hone their escape tactics. Dogs see the bottle and plot against it, using strength and other maneuvers to evade the drops. If that doesnt work, they act as if you are causing them bodily harm, making you feel like the worst pet parent on the block.

The words instill 1 drop into the right eye three times a day arent so simple, I realize. But, eye drops truly dont have to be an evil punishment for your pet. So, to help with household sanity, pet-person relationships and harmony all around, here are some tips to help you and your pet make eye medication administration a painless process.

Stay up to date!

Conjunctivitis Cat Eye Infection

Conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the moist lining of the eyeball and inner eyelids, is the most common cat eye infection. Many cats get it at least once, and some get it many times.

Conjunctivitis can be caused by allergies, trauma or irritants like smoke and dust. Most cases, though, are due to bacterial or viral infection.

The Happy Cat Handbook – A unique guide to understanding and enjoying your cat!

Herpesvirus is behind many conjunctivitis infections. As is calicivirus, which causes respiratory infections in cats.

Two bacteria that cause respiratory infections, chlamydophila and mycoplasma, are responsible for many other cat eye infections.

If your cat has a compromised immune system or other chronic health problem, she is more likely to suffer conjunctivitis.

You May Like: How Often Do Cats Get Vaccinated

How Do You Treat Conjunctivitis In Cats At Home

Conjunctivitis in cats could be expensive when taking them to the veterinarian. There could be different causes. It could be due to an infection or allergic reaction to food that your cat eats.

To treat your conjunctivitis in cats at home, first, try to alleviate the discomfort that your kitty’s eyes are causing. They should be clear and bright. You can try to put a little dark alcohol on a cotton ball and rub it over the eye. This can help with the discomfort that her eyes are causing. There is also a product called Kneaded Comfort. This is a special eye liniment for cats.

Preventative Eye Care For Pets

What can you do keep your pets eyes healthy?First of all, you will want to get used to looking at your pets eyes very closely. Once you know what is normal. it will be much easier to know when something is abnormal. It is best to perform a weekly eye exam so that you catch any problems very quickly. Eye irritation or infection can be painful to your pet and at times can lead to vision loss.

What are you looking for on these weekly exams?Your pets eyes should be open and the whites of the eyes should not be red or bloodshot. A healthy eye is clear and the surface is smooth and shiny . Signs of eye trouble include squinting , redness at the top of the eye , discharge that is green or yellow, crusted discharge on the eyelids, cloudiness in the eye, excessive tearing, or vision loss. If you have a light , it will make the eye exam easier. The light will also allow you to look at the pupil which is the circle inside the eye. The pupils are usually equal in size and will get small with bright light. Dont hold the bright light in your pets eyes too long this is just a quick check.

Proper preventative eye care:

Protecting pets eyesA company called Doggles makes goggles and glasses for dogs. They come in many sizes and color combinations. Not all pets will tolerate wearing Doggles. Pets that are very active, outdoors for long periods of time, or that like to hang their head out the car window could benefit from a set of Doggles.

Don’t Miss: How Old Is 13 In Cat Years

How Can I Put Eye Drops In My Cats Eye

To put cat eye drops correctly, follow these step-by-step instructions:

• Consult with your vet to determine if your cat needs eye drops and what kind of drops, then talk with them about how to administer them.
• Wash your hands to avoid contaminating your cats eyes or the drops. This will also help to prevent the spread of infection.
• Clean the area of debris, tear stains, eye discharge, or anything else that is not supposed to be there. This is a good time to offer the cat treats for cooperating.
• Find a suitable place to put your cat. This can be your lap, the counter, or any place your cat will sit still and can be controlled.
• Hold the bottle with the thumb and index finger of your dominant hands and point the tip downward. Place your other hand on the cats head to stabilize and minimize movement.
• Hold the bottle close to the surface of the eye but do not touch the eye.
• Squeeze the bottle until the prescribed number of drops has made contact with the eye. Aim for the center of the eye and be ready for your cat to resist at this point.

It is common for cats to paw at their eye or drool after receiving the drops. If swelling or irritation persists after applying the medication, consult your vet to determine the next steps.

Is It Safe To Use Humans Eye Drops On A Cat

Pink eye often clears up after specifically formulated feline eye drops are administered.

A commonly asked question is: “Can I give my cat eye drops that were made for humans?” While some eye drops can be used on both humans and cats, it is possible to deliver the wrong dose or use drops with preservatives that damage a cat’s eyes. The concentration and dosage of the medication may be different. Before administering, always take your bottle of eye drops to a veterinarian and ask them if the drops would be suitable for your cat.

Don’t Miss: How Much Wet Food To Feed A Kitten

Uveitis Cat Eye Infection

This is a fairly common and painful disease which, if left untreated, can result in blindness.

Uveitis is an inflammation of the uveal tract. This includes the iris, which is the round part that determines your cats eye color. It also includes two parts of the eye behind the iris, called the choroid and the ciliary body.

We dont know what causes every case of uveitis. In fact, 6 out of 10 cases never have an identified cause.

But we do know that when the cause is identified it is normally infection, trauma or cancer.

Are Human Eye Drops Safe For Cats

Whether or not you can use eye drops on your cat depends on the type of eye drops in question. Many people assume that all human eye drops are the same. However, this couldnt be further from the truth! There are three primary categories of eye drops which are each used to treat different issues with the eyes:

• Artificial Tears: These eye drops are specifically used to treat dry eyes and add moisture to the surface of the eye. They are designed to replicate real tears and so are at the same pH as the eye. You can get artificial tears both with and without preservatives.
• Allergy Drops: These eye drops are intended to help soothe red, itchy, and watery eyes that usually result from allergies. These contain antihistamines, a drug well-known for its allergy-busting qualities.
• Anti-Redness Drops: These eye drops are used to treat red bloodshot eyes. They contain a vasoconstrictor which causes the diameter of the blood vessels in your eyes to decrease to combat redness. Many also contain antihistamines as well.

Of these three, allergy drops and anti-redness drops are not safe for cats. Both contain human medications which can cause adverse effects in our feline friends. They have not been tested on cats and can make your cats sore and watery eyes far worse.

Read Also: Life Essentials By Cat Man Doo

What To Look Out For

Your cats eyes should be bright. The area around the eyeball should be white. Both pupils should be the same size.

Your cat may have a bit of sleep in the corner of her eye. Thats nothing to worry about, but it shouldnt be excessive.

There should be no swelling or cloudiness in either eye. The cornea, the transparent outer layer of the eyeball, should be smooth and clear.

There are certain symptoms of a cat eye infection you can look for.

Ready Yourself Your Cat And A Friend

Administering eye drops is usually a two-person job, Machell says. One person should be ready to administer the drops while the other holds and comforts the cat. “As a rule of thumb, the shorter the interaction, the better the success rate in getting the drop applied. However, some cats will not stay still long enough to permit this happening without some type of gentle restraint,” Machell says. If this sounds like your kitty, Machell suggests a kitty purrito, or using a towel or blanket to wrap your cat upâlike a little kitty burrito. A quick interaction also means knowing exactly how many drops your cat needs before she’s in position.

You May Like: How Can You Tell The Sex Of A Kitten

A Few Eye Drops For Dogs Facts You Should Know

First, the FDA regulates all pet drugs, so eye drops do fall within their scope of control. Typically, when looking at different formulations they are going to fall within a few solutions. Take a look at these solutions and what they mean:

• Ophthalmic Solution: Ophthalmic refers to disease or irritants of the eye. It will also indicate that the product is sterile with no foreign particles. More or less, it is safe to use in the eye. There are many types of ophthalmic solutions with some that contain antibiotics and others that do not.
• Antimicrobial Solution: This is a type of product that is used to fight, relieve, and prevent infections caused by bacteria in either humans or animals. The best way to think of it is as a less powerful form of an antibiotic.
• Viscoadaptive Hyaluronan Solution: This is a type of solution that mimics real moisture in the eyes. In basic terms, it is an artificial tear-like substance that fights dry eyes.
• Lanosterol Solution:Lanosterol is a compound that is derived from sheeps wool. Researchers have found that it helps to break up the clumps that makeup cataracts. It can also help prevent them from getting worse over time.

For the most part, these are the solutions you are going to come across when looking at eye drops for your pup. On the other hand, you should know that some eye drops are natural and do not have any specific solution.

Also Check: How To Calculate Cats Age In Human Years

Is Neosporin Safe For Cats

Human medications are often toxic or otherwise dangerous for animals, especially cats. Their compact size means that even the tiniest amounts of a toxic substance could put your cat’s life at risk.

Neosporin is a staple found in many people’s first aid kits. This topical antibiotic ointment can work very well on humans but it not recommended for cats. Cases have been reported of cats having life-threatening anaphylactic reactions to some of the antibiotic ingredients in Neosporin’s ophthalmic preparations which include neomycin and polymyxin B.

Don’t Miss: What Food Can Kittens Eat

Treating Severe Allergic Reactions

Some people with severe allergies may experience life-threatening reactions, known as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock.

If youre at risk of this, youll be given special injectors containing a medicine called adrenaline to use in an emergency.

If you develop symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as difficulty breathing, you should inject yourself in the outer thigh before seeking emergency medical help.

Recommended Reading: Wood Stove Pellets For Cat Litter

Home Care: Tips For Keeping Your Cats Eyes Healthy

You can help avoid eye problems in your cat by keeping up with yearly vaccinations, avoiding kitty overcrowding, and checking your catâs eyes frequently for redness, cloudiness, a change in color or shape, discharge, or sensitivity to light.

To safely remove your catâs eye discharge and make them more comfortable while waiting for their vet appointment, arm yourself with a bag of cotton balls and these simple tips from the ASPCA:

• Dip a cotton ball in water. Wipe away the eye discharge, always from the corner of the eye outward. Use a fresh cotton ball for each eye.
• Steer clear of any over-the-counter drops or washes unless your vet has prescribed them.

Because correct treatment can be so critical to the health and well-being of your cat, always talk to a veterinarian to be sure kitty is getting just the right care needed.

Show Sources

Read Also: Can An Indoor Cat Become An Outdoor Cat

Alaway Antihistamine Eye Drops

• Enduring remedy for itchy eyes due to ragweed, pollen, grass, animal hair and dander
• Initial prescription-strength eye-itch relief, in minutes, available over the counter, without a prescription
• Why wait on your allergy tablets to kick in? Get eye itch relief in minutes with Alaway eye drops.
• Up to 12 hours of relief in every drop, right where you need it
• For adults and kids 3 years and older
• Scientifically evaluated
• From the eye health specialists at Bausch + Lomb

When Do You Need To Use Cat Eye Drops

Keep in mind that while over-the-counter eye drops medication does the job of giving relief against infections, irritations, and other symptoms, they’re not always the only solution. There are cases of eye infections that require appropriate treatment from a veterinarian. If something feels and looks off, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to get your cat’s eye checked.

However, there are instances when you may use safe and effective eye drops to help your cat feel more comfortable while waiting for the vet appointment.

Though the required medication still depends on the condition of your cat’s eyes, eye drops, in general, provide immediate relief from any pain, discomfort or symptoms you find like dry eyes, watery and goopy eyes, redness, and itchiness.

Don’t Miss: Can You Track A Microchipped Cat