My cat's eye gunk: Is its color normal or a sign of infection?

You may be seeing dried tears which will sometimes appear dark in color especially in a white cat. If PK is not squinting, and you are not seeing red eyes or excessive discharge what you are seeing is likely normal. However, in some cases eye discharge can be a sign of an upper respiratory infection. It's hard to say for sure if the debris you are seeing in PK is normal without doing an examination on him. If you can take a picture and submit it that may also be helpful. If PK develops any signs of respiratory illness (continued eye discharge, sneezing, lethargy, or changes in appetite) then he should be examined by a veterinarian. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

I see many cats like Lottie who have mild brownish eye discharge. Most of the time this is normal. Check Lottie's eyes for any redness on the eye itself or the surround tissues. Watch for any squinting or green/yellow discharge. If you see any of the above signs, it could indicate an infection or scratch on the cornea. Take her to the veterinarian if you suspect something abnormal.

Clear eye discharge is not uncommon. I would not be worried about this unless the discharge turns yellow or green which would indicate an infection. You can use saline solution or a commercial eye wash to rinse the eyes out daily if he will let you. Otherwise just wiping the discharge away when you see it is fine. I would use a cotton ball soaked in warm water to wipe the eyes and not a Q-tip. They also have pre-made eye wipes for cats if you would rather use that. ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/well-and-good-cat-eye-wipes ) ( https://www.petco.com/category/cat/cat-health-and-wellness/cat-ear-and-eye-care ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear that Marigold had an upper respiratory infection. A dark colored discharge is completely normal and is just what accumulates near the corner of the eye. It consists of the dried discharge left from the tear film that gets deposited onto the eye and flows across the eye. Unless you notice redness and a green or yellowish discharge I wouldn't worry. A clear discharge with a lot of squinting and redness would be something to have your vet evaluate right away. Sounds like this is completely normal and is found in both normal cats and dogs. Good job treating the conjunctivitis, sounds like it has resolved.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. You can keep Colin's face clean with a damp, warm washcloth. If the discharge is continuous, or he is squinting or eyes are matted closed he should see a veterinarian to determine the cause of the ocular discharge. Do not use any sort of eye drops without a veterinary prescription. Treatment will vary depending on the cause of the infection or inflammation.

Some eye discharge and tear staining can be normal, especially in white or other light-furred colors that will show the stain more easily. Many pet stores carry products to help remove the stain and keep the eyes clear. If the discharge becomes green, yellow, or you notice any other symptoms of illness, this could indicate an issue such as a respiratory infection instead, which should be checked out by your vet.

Brown discharge from the eye can indicate that the infection is improving. Yellow or green means that the infection is still present. As long as Cinnamon's actual eye looks better and she doesn't seem overly bothered by it, it is likely healing well. To verify, please feel free to repost your question to the forum with a photo of her eye. You generally see improvement with eyes 3-4 days after starting medication and complete resolve within 1-2 weeks. Thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Take care.