Best Medication for Cat Tears: Causes & Treatment Optio

Cats shedding tears is a fairly common occurrence, and some pet owners might assume that their feline friends' tears are a sign of sadness. However, after spending quality time playing with them daily, they often find that their cats continue to exhibit that "crycry" look.

For now, let's not delve into whether cats can cry tears due to sadness. Instead, we aim to enlighten you about the common reasons behind cats' tears, along with the appropriate treatments, medications, and care measures for different situations. This will help you better understand and address this phenomenon in your beloved pets.

Part 1: Common Causes of Cat Tears

▷▷ Physiological Causes

1. Foreign Body Irritation: Dust, fur, and other particles can enter the eyes, causing irritation.

2. Environmental Stimuli: Strong light, wind, volatile odors, secondhand smoke, and bathwater can all be irritants.

3. Breed Characteristics: Some cat breeds, such as Persians and Himalayans, are naturally prone to excessive tear production.

4. Diet: A highfat, highsodium diet can lead to excessive meibomian gland secretion, resulting in an abundance of tears.

▷▷ Pathological Causes

1. Eye Infections: Bacterial or viral infections can lead to conjunctivitis or keratitis.

2. Tear Duct Obstruction: Tears cannot drain through the nasolacrimal duct, causing epiphora.

3. Entropion or Ectropion: Eyelashes that rub against the surface of the eye can cause discomfort.

4. Allergic Reactions: Cats may be allergic to certain foods or environmental allergens like pollen, dust mites, leading to red, watery eyes.

5. Ear Mite Infection: Cats with ear mites or Malassezia infections may experience irritation to the lacrimal glands, resulting in frequent tearing.

Part 2: Medications for Cat Tears

1. Begin by using sterile saline solution or a petspecific eye care solution to rinse your cat's eyes, removing tears, eye boogers, and any foreign or irritant objects that may be present.

2. Administer 1 to 2 drops of antibiotic eye drops to prevent infections. Commonly used cat antibiotics include chloramphenicol eye drops, Baytril (sulfamethoxazoletrimethoprim) eye drops, and tobramycin eye drops. These eye drops are effective in combating bacterial infections like conjunctivitis and keratitis.

3. Improve your cat's living environment by avoiding dust, fur, bright lights, and other irritants. Also, avoid using dusty cat litter to prevent dust from irritating your cat's eyes while it is burying waste.

4. If you notice your cat scratching at its eyes, consider using an Elizabethan collar to prevent it from scratching.

5. Keep a close watch on your cat. If the tearing persists or if you observe additional symptoms like red eyes, increased eye and nasal discharge, sneezing, or coughing, it's advisable to take your pet to a veterinarian for a checkup to rule out conditions like bacterial conjunctivitis, keratitis, or feline herpesvirus.

Cats with entropion, ectropion, or nasolacrimal duct obstruction may require surgical intervention. However, due to the higher surgical risks in older cats, it's essential to consider the situation carefully. If you have any doubts, it's best to consult a veterinarian.