Why Your Cat Has a Lot of Eye Discharge
📝 Summary
A little eye discharge is normal, but a sudden gush of it is not. The cause may be diet-related heat, keratitis, dacryocystitis, or an injury. Clean gently with warm water and see a vet when the discharge is colored, foul, or paired with redness.
1 Diet-Related Heat
When this is the cause, discharge increases and turns dry and crusty, needing to be softened with water before wiping. A vet-recommended soothing eye drop helps calm the irritation.
2 Keratitis
Eye disease like keratitis also drives heavy discharge, which is pasty and foul-smelling, with red eyes. In this case a veterinary exam is the right move.
3 Dacryocystitis
An infected tear sac produces large amounts of yellow-green discharge with tearing. A vet may flush the eye and prescribe an antibiotic eye treatment.
4 Injury
An eye injury brings dark red, jelly-like or blood-tinged discharge around the eye. Don’t guess with eye drops here; get a professional check.
5 When to See a Vet
If your cat suddenly produces a lot of eye discharge, avoid random eye drops. Unless it’s simple diet-related heat, a clinic visit prevents serious consequences.
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