Causes of Red Eyes in Cats: What You Need to Know

Red eyes are a common eye condition in cats, with a variety of factors contributing to this issue. These can include blood vessels in the conjunctiva or sclera becoming engorged, conjunctivitis, keratitis, and upper respiratory infections, all of which can lead to redness in the eyes. Let's delve deeper into the reasons behind a cat's red eyes.

Causes of Red Eyes in Cats

1. Eyes Congestion: There are two types of eye congestion in cats: conjunctival and ciliary. Conjunctival congestion can often be quickly relieved with vasoconstrictive medications, whereas ciliary congestion does not respond to these drugs. This distinction is key in identifying the type of congestion.

Conjunctival congestion typically occurs due to conditions like conjunctivitis or corneal injuries. When cats have conjunctivitis, they may exhibit symptoms such as photophobia, excessive tearing, swelling of the eyelids on the nasal side, conjunctival erythema, and discharge from the inner corner of the eye. The affected cat may constantly scratch at its eyes due to itching and pain. Over time, the cat might develop conjunctival hyperplasia and adhesions, potentially leading to keratitis.

In comparison, ciliary congestion is located deeper and appears purplishred. Severe corneal injuries, uveitis, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and intraocular tumors can all cause ciliary congestion. The exact cause of ciliary congestion requires a specialized examination for diagnosis.

2. Corneal Neovascularization: Corneal neovascularization is another common cause of red eyes in cats. Normally, the cornea lacks blood vessels and is transparent. However, when neovascularization occurs, it leads to congestion. This is usually due to corneal epithelial damage, which can be caused by chronic irritation from dry eye, meibomian gland cysts, eyelash misalignment, or mild scleritis. Treatment should be tailored to the specific cause.

3. Long Eyelashes: Overlong eyelashes can cause irritation and redness in the eyes, making this another frequent cause of red eyes in cats. If you notice your cat's eyelashes are particularly long, you can gently trim them. In such cases, a few days of regular use of pet eye drops can help the cat recover naturally.

4. Foreign Body Irritation: Cats' eyes can become red if they are irritated by a foreign object. If you notice redness in your cat's eyes, carefully inspect them for any foreign bodies. If found, remove the object promptly. You can rinse the cat's eyes with saline solution and then apply pet eye drops for care. The redness should subside quickly.

5. Viral Upper Respiratory Infection: Cats with a viral upper respiratory infection often exhibit red eyes, along with symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, coughing, and decreased appetite. These symptoms tend to be persistent. Cats with this infection may have increased eye discharge, and if a secondary bacterial infection occurs, the cat may develop red eyes and photophobia.

In summary, if a cat simply has red eyes without other symptoms, it's usually not a major concern and can be managed with proper eye care. However, if red eyes are accompanied by other symptoms, it's advisable to take the cat to a veterinarian for examination and treatment.