Effective 3-Step Method to Remove Cat Eye Smudges

Feline parents, do you know about the benefits of massage? Many cats' tear stains are actually a result of their diet!

Cats have different metabolic abilities compared to humans, and they require less salt. If they frequently consume food high in sodium, it can increase the burden on their kidneys, leading to a gradual decline in kidney function. Over time, excess salt cannot be properly excreted, and it is then released through saliva and tears, causing cats to develop severe tear stains.

So, if your cat has a 'freckled face,' it's crucial to adjust their diet!

1. Main Food: Generally, cat food should contain between 0.3% to 1.5% salt (watersoluble chloride), with an ideal range of 0.3% to 1%. For cats with particularly severe tear stains, it's recommended to choose food with a salt content between 0.3% to 0.7%.

2. Supplements: You can offer your cat plain, unseasoned boiled chicken breast, fish, or egg yolks as supplements, avoiding snacks with excessive additives.

3. Water Intake: Encourage your cat to drink more water to boost their metabolism and reduce symptoms of heat. For cats that don't like water, try feeding wet canned food, soaked freezedried kibble, or fish broth.

When necessary, you can give your cat Kawaling (Qingwen Baidu Pian), a herbal remedy containing ingredients like rhizome of Rehmannia, water buffalo horn, coptis, and gardenia. This helps to cool the body and relieve issues like excessive eye boogers and tear stains caused by greasy, heavytasting food, or insufficient water intake.

How to Fade Cat Tear Stains?

1. Gently wipe your cat's eye area and tear stains with a mixture of 20% physiological saline and 80% boric acid solution every day to maintain eye hygiene. After cleaning, use a tissue to dry the area and prevent bacterial growth.

2. For stubborn tear stains, apply a small amount of cornstarch after wiping to absorb excess tears and keep the fur dry.

3. If your cat has a lot of eye boogers, use Shanjing (Jinyinhua Jieyan Liquid) eye drops to help alleviate eye discomfort and prevent secondary infections.

Other Causes of Cat Tear Stains:

Besides diet, several other factors can contribute to severe tear stains in cats.

Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction: The nasolacrimal duct is the correct pathway for tear drainage. If it becomes blocked, it can lead to tear overflow and tear stains.

Inverted Eyelashes: Eyelashes that grow inward can repeatedly irritate the eyes, causing excessive tearing.

Eye Infection: This is often accompanied by symptoms like redness, swelling, inability to open the eyes, pus, and frequent blinking.

Ear Mites: Since the ears, nose, and eyes are interconnected, ear mites or Malassezia infections can also irritate the eyes, leading to chronic tearing.

Environmental Factors: A dirty environment, dust, cat litter dust, secondhand smoke, or strong odors can all trigger persistent tearing and the formation of tear stains.

Therefore, in addition to dietary adjustments and daily cleaning, pet parents should also ensure a clean living environment for their cats, keeping windows open for better ventilation. Additionally, regularly check your cat's ears for signs of mites or infections, and treat promptly if any issues are found.

If your cat's tear stains do not improve after home remedies, it's advisable to consult a veterinarian to determine the specific cause of the tear stains.