Dealing with Cat Tear Stains
📝 Summary
Tear stains are porphyrin from excess tears or a blocked duct, darkening in sun. Causes include too much salt (human food, salty kibble), ear infections, duct blockage, entropion, dacryoadenitis, and feline herpes (watch unvaccinated cats). Cut salt and get a vet diagnosis.
1 Why Tears Stain
Epiphora is excess tearing or a blocked duct; stains are porphyrin, an iron-containing waste from broken red cells that darkens on light fur, especially in sunlight.
Too much dietary salt (human snacks, salty kibble) is a frequent trigger—stop sharing human food and add water; mild cases clear fast. Switch to a suitable low-salt food if the kibble itself is high in salt.
2 Medical Causes to Rule Out
Ear infections stir the trigeminal nerve and boost tears; duct inflammation blocks drainage; entropion (inward lashes) irritates the eye; dacryoadenitis over-produces tears.
Feline herpes (rhinotracheitis) causes contagious conjunctivitis, tearing, and nasal discharge—pay attention if an unvaccinated cat shows tears plus nose pus. Genetics can also predispose some cats. Have a vet diagnose the root cause rather than just wiping stains.
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