What to do if your cat has conjunctivitis

Disclaimer: This article, its content and related references, does not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care.

Conjunctivitis is a common condition in cats that often occurs in association with an upper respiratory tract infection. Because of how common it is, it’s important for cat owners to be able to recognize signs of conjunctivitis in their pets. If you have a cat, read on to learn:

• What conjunctivitis is
• How feline conjunctivitis is diagnosed and treated
• How to recognize signs of conjunctivitis
• How a cat can develop conjunctivitis

Clinical signs of conjunctivitis in cats include red and inflamed tissue around the eyeball, eye discharge, red or bloodshot eyes, and a raised third eyelid. Conjunctivitis is often caused by upper respiratory infections, so there are usually additional symptoms. In addition, eye injuries are common in cats and can cause inflammation of the conjunctiva as well as secondary bacterial infections. Treatment options vary depending on the cause of the inflammation but often include topical eye medications.

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that covers the outside of a cat’s eyeball and inside of the eyelids. The conjunctiva can become inflamed as a result of a problem limited to the eye or as one part of a systemic disease affecting multiple body systems. In addition to upper respiratory tract infections, airborne irritants and eye injuries can also cause the conjunctiva to become inflamed. Feline conjunctivitis is very common. In fact, most cats will develop conjunctivitis at least once in their lifetime. Conjunctivitis can vary in severity from mild to severe, depending on the underlying cause.

Diagnosing conjunctivitis in cats involves determining the source of the inflammation in the tissue lining the eye and may include:

• Thorough physical examination
• Examining the eye with a light and magnifying lens
• Fluorescein stain to check the eye for scratches and ulcers
• Bloodwork and testing for infectious diseases
• Intraocular pressure test
• Schirmer tear test
• Bacterial or fungal culture
• Cytology
• Biopsy
• Diagnostic imaging

When a cat presents with symptoms of conjunctivitis, a thorough ophthalmic exam, or eye exam, is usually recommended. Other diagnostic tests may be recommended depending on what is seen on an exam and whether the cat is showing any clinical signs. A definitive diagnosis is needed to determine what kind of treatment will work.

Cat conjunctivitis treatment options vary based on what is causing the inflammation and may include:

• Eye ointments or drops with antibiotics, antifungals, or anti-inflammatories
• Removing any foreign objects and flushing the affected eye(s)
• Oral antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or pain medications
• Addressing any injuries to the eye or surrounding tissue
• Allergy treatment
• Supportive care
• Surgery

“Most cases of cat conjunctivitis are caused by infectious upper respiratory diseases,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on Vetster. “Many are viral infections and run their course without medical therapy.” More serious upper respiratory tract infections may require more aggressive treatment.

If given medication by a vet, always administer and finish the medication as prescribed, even if symptoms go away quickly. Incomplete treatment may result in a resistant infection that is more difficult to treat in the future.

Can I treat my cat’s eye infection at home?

It’s important to talk to a vet before attempting to treat your cat’s eye infection at home. Bacterial, fungal, viral, and allergic conjunctivitis all look alike but are treated differently. In addition, other health conditions involving the eyes have similar clinical signs and require different types of treatment. An accurate diagnosis from a veterinarian is needed to know what kind of treatment will be effective.

Oral and topical treatment for cat eye infections are typically given at home for one to two weeks. Supportive care to encourage healing, such as cleaning eye discharge from the face and applying a warm compress, can be given at home.

If there is an upper respiratory tract infection causing the conjunctivitis, home care also often involves increasing the heat and humidity in your cat’s environment, feeding warm, moist food, and encouraging your cat to eat every day.

You can talk to a veterinary professional about how to best support your cat’s eye health as they heal at home.

The most common sign of conjunctivitis in cats is red, inflamed tissue around the eyes and eyelids. Other clinical signs may include:

• Eye discharge
• Reddened or bloodshot eyes
• Excessive blinking, squinting, or holding the eye closed
• Pawing or rubbing at the eye
• Elevated third eyelid

Conjunctivitis in cats can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms vary in severity, and not all cats will have every symptom.

Other symptoms associated with feline conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis in cats can be caused by infectious diseases, allergies, and other health issues. Other symptoms that may be present include:

• Coughing or sneezing
• Nasal discharge
• Itchiness
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Vomiting or diarrhea

Some cases of conjunctivitis are limited to the eyes and have no other clinical signs.

Most cases of feline conjunctivitis are caused by upper respiratory infections, such as:

• Feline chlamydia
• Feline herpesvirus (viral rhinotracheitis)
• Calicivirus
• Mycoplasma

Eye infections caused by feline herpesvirus are especially common in young kittens.

Various eye conditions and injuries can also contribute to the development of conjunctivitis. These include:

• Corneal ulcers and scratches
• Dry eye
• Glaucoma
• Uveitis

Injuries to the eye and other eye issues can lead to secondary infections or make the eye more susceptible to infection. Allergies and airborne irritants can lead to eye inflammation associated with conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is also common in cats with compromised immune systems due to conditions such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV). The dry form of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) often presents with ocular symptoms, including inflammation of the conjunctiva.

Conjunctivitis and other related eye symptoms can indicate that something is wrong with just your cat’s eyes or point to an underlying systemic disease. Prompt veterinary care is necessary to address the underlying cause of the symptoms and prevent more damage to the eye. Depending on the cause, conjunctivitis can progress and potentially lead to permanent vision loss. If your cat is showing conjunctivitis symptoms, you can talk to an online vet to determine if they need emergency care and what you can do to help.

How do you treat conjunctivitis in cats?

Treatment options for cats with conjunctivitis vary widely depending on what is causing the inflammation and whether or not there is an underlying infectious disease or health condition. Treatment may include eye medications, oral medications, supportive care, surgery, or additional treatment for underlying health issues.

Can pink eye in cats heal on its own?

Some cases of pink eye, or conjunctivitis, can heal on their own without medical intervention. However, other cases will get worse without treatment. In addition, other serious eye conditions can have symptoms similar to those of pink eye. It’s best to talk to a veterinarian any time there are changes to your cat’s eye health.

Is pink eye in cats contagious?

Sometimes pink eye is contagious and sometimes it isn’t. The likelihood of pink eye spreading depends on what’s causing it. Allergies, for example, are not contagious, but upper respiratory infections, which are the most common cause of pink eye in cats, spread easily. Unvaccinated cats and kittens are at greater risk for upper respiratory tract infections.