Excessive Cat Tears: Causes and Solutions Explained

Excessive tear production is often a physiological reflex, triggered when the eyes encounter severe irritation. In such cases, the lacrimal glands are activated, leading to the expulsion of irritants along with the tears.

In cats, epiphora, or excessive tearing, can also stem from overactive lacrimal glands, unrelated to any specific irritant.

Normal cats may occasionally exhibit slight tear overflow or a small amount of eye discharge, but these are generally harmless.

However, excessive, chronic, or recurrent tearing can indicate underlying health issues in cats.

The majority of cats produce tears continuously, which are pushed towards the nose with each blink of the eyelids.

Both the upper and lower eyelids have tiny openings called puncta, located near the junction of the eyelids and the nose.

Tears typically flow into a central collecting sac located beneath the eyes through these drainage openings, known as the lacrimal sac. Within this sac, a small tube called the nasolacrimal duct carries the tears into the nose.

In some cats, this duct opens only in the nostril, while in others, it extends deeper into the nasal passage.

It's worth noting that tears that enter the nose help to keep the nose and nostrils moist.

While tears are usually clear, they can turn dark red, brown, or black after drying.

Chronic tearing can lead to brown or rustcolored fur around a cat's eyes and face, believed to be caused by porphyrins or similar pigments present in the tears.

Stagnant tears on the face can also irritate the skin. If a large amount of bacteria accumulates in the facial area, the irritation can become more severe.

Causes of Feline Epiphora

Epiphora can be caused by various factors, primarily categorized into two types: tear duct blockage and eye irritation.

Common causes of tear duct blockage include:

1. Partial closure of the drainage openings, leading to poor tear drainage and increased curvature of the nasal duct or tears being absorbed by the eyelashes.

2. Abnormally small lacrimal duct openings.

3. Inflammation within or near the lacrimal gland system.

4. Scar tissue from severe conjunctivitis affecting the lacrimal duct.

5. Foreign bodies lodged in the tear duct (rare in cats).

Eye irritation or lacrimal gland irritation can also lead to epiphora. Common causes of such irritation include:

1. Eyelid abnormalities causing hair friction against the eye, such as abnormal eyelash growth (double eyelashes) or hair growing too close to the eye.

2. Eyelid inflammation (blepharitis).

3. Conjunctivitis.

4. Keratitis.

5. Corneal ulcers, abrasions, scratches, or wounds.

6. Foreign bodies or irritants on the eye surface, such as smoke, chemicals, or soap.

7. Glaucoma.

8. Anterior uveitis, or inflammation of the iris and ciliary body.

9. Irritation of the lacrimal glands by eye drops.

10. Stimulation of the lacrimal glands from recent surgical suture irritation around the eyes.

11. Infection or inflammation in the periorbital, infraorbital, or orbital area.

12. Eating while crying, a rare form of lacrimal gland stimulation.

Symptoms of Feline Epiphora

1. Waterlike discharge from the eyes.

2. Tear stains under the eyes and near the nose.

3. Accumulation of dried secretions along the eyelid edges.

4. Ulcers and irritation on the skin around the eyes and nose.

5. Rubbing or wiping the face.

6. Redness of the conjunctiva.

7. Changes in color on the eye surface or internally.

8. Excessive squinting or blinking.

9. Swelling of the eyelids.

10. Decreased or lost vision.

11. Changes in the size of the pupil or the eye itself.