My cat is blinking one eye. Is this a sign of a health issue?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Excessive blinking is often a sign of discomfort. This could be due to an eye injury or conditions such as a corneal laceration, corneal ulcer, conjunctivitis, dry eye (also known as KCS), among many other conditions. I highly recommend that you have Pluffy evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Further therapy would be based on the findings. Good luck and best wishes!

If she does not blink it may due to an injury either of the facial nerve or possibly the retina/optic nerve may be damaged as well. That could be easily assessed by a neurological and ophthalmological examination, testing the cranial cranial nerves I mentioned above. I would recommend to have her referred to a neurology specialist in your area. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

If he is blinking this eye excessively also, then I would recommend taking him to your vet to have the eye examined. It is very likely he has an eye infection and in need of antibiotic eye ointment to help clear things up. Eye infections are common in cats and can be caused by a mild scratch or ulcer on the eye. They can also be caused by mild viral infections (i.e. Herpesvirus, Calicivirus). I hope your furry friends eye issue resolves soon! Best wishes and take care.

If that is his only symptom, and he's otherwise acting normally, eating normally, active, etc and his face and eyes appear completely normal when he is awake, you don't need to rush him in. Give him another week or so, and if its continuing or you notice additional symptoms, get him in for an exam.

Hello. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Squinting of the eye is due to pain - that is not seen with allergies. Most often, in cats, the pain is due to an ocular herpes virus infection or a scratch on the corneal surface. I suggest you take him to the vet for an examination.

I see what you mean. He could be squinting because the light is painful to his eye, and it may be he has injured his eyes or has an eye infection. Any eye problem is an emergency because leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. I'd take him into a vet right away to get checked out. Best of luck.

He may have something in it like a hair or he could have injured it somehow. Place an e-collar (cone) on him and have him seen by your veterinarian or at the nearest veterinary ER. A potential eye injury should be addressed sooner rather than later to prevent unnecessary pain, permanent damage or loss of vision.