Fixing Cat's Tear Stains: Dr. Oxygen Pet's Solutions!

Did you know that the tear stains on your cat's face are actually a result of excessive tear production or a blockage in the tear drainage pathways? The tears of cats contain porphyrin iron, which, when it reacts with air, turns into a rustlike color, leading to discoloration of the fur.

When your cat's tear stains are particularly pronounced, they are usually caused by one of six common factors. Let's go through each one to help you identify and address the issue effectively.

1. Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

Cats need to drain their tears through the nasolacrimal ducts into their nose or mouth. If a cat is born with narrow, underdeveloped, or inflamed ducts that are blocked, tears will溢出眼角，resulting in stubborn tear stains that are hard to wipe away.

How to Handle:

● If the blockage is due to inflammation, a simple procedure at the vet's office can often provide significant relief. Follow up with antibiotics to control infection and regular massaging of the nasolacrimal ducts.

● For breeds like the Persian or the Himalayan, a complete resolution may not be possible, so regular cleaning of the tear stains and eye boogers is necessary to prevent excessive fur discoloration.

● For severe stains, mix 20% physiological saline with 80% boric acid water, dampen a cotton ball with the solution, and gently wipe the stained areas repeatedly.

2. Eye Inflammation

Eye inflammation can lead to increased tear production, which, if left uncleaned, can result in tear stains. This condition is often accompanied by redness, swelling, difficulty opening the eyes, and frequent blinking, and is usually caused by bacterial or viral infections.

How to Handle:

● Flush the eyes with sterile physiological saline to remove secretions and debris.

● Use Beramin (neomycin sulfate eye drops) to relieve eye inflammation, applying 1 to 2 drops three to five times a day.

● Fit your cat with an Elizabethan collar to prevent scratching.

● If symptoms worsen or are accompanied by symptoms like sneezing, sniffling, lethargy, or loss of appetite, it's best to consult a veterinarian.

3. Ear Mites

Ear mites, Malassezia, or bacterial otitis can also cause tear stains due to the itching they cause in the ear canals. Since the respiratory system is interconnected, this itching can stimulate the lacrimal glands to produce more tears, leading to stains.

How to Handle:

● Use Erifen (pet ear care solution) to clean ear canal secretions, starting with once a day and adjusting to once or twice a week as needed.

● Treat ear mites with Xinrining (miconazole nitrate ointment) for local antifungal and antiseptic treatment, and use Di Pai (pyriproxyfen moxidectin drops) for systemic deworming.

● Malassezia, a fungal infection, requires oral itraconazole, once a day, at a dose of 5 to 10 mg/kg.

● Bacterial otitis can be treated with Er狄ke (florfenicol metronidazole ear drops), and in severe cases, oral antibiotics may be necessary to control the infection.

4. Inverted Eyelashes

While rare, some cats may develop severe tear stains due to inverted eyelashes, overly long eyelid fur, or entropion. These conditions can cause constant irritation to the eyes, prompting the lacrimal glands to produce excessive tears.

How to Handle:

● Regularly trim the fur around your cat's eyes to avoid irritation.

● If there are serious cases of inverted eyelashes or entropion, surgical adjustments may be needed, which should be performed by a veterinarian.

5. HighSodium Cat Food

Excessive salt intake in a cat's diet can lead to increased tear production, causing excessive tears and eye boogers.

How to Handle:

● Adjust your cat's diet to lowsodium cat food.

● Encourage your cat to drink more water to promote metabolism.

6. Dusty Litter

High dust levels in cat litter can cause cats to sneeze and tear up frequently. Additionally, if the dust gets into the eyes, it can exacerbate tear production, leading to more pronounced tear stains.

How to Handle:

● Choose a lowdust cat litter and regularly clean the litter box.

● Maintain a clean environment to avoid dust, fur, and other foreign particles that can irritate your cat's eyes.