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My cat has a stye on her eye. What is it and how can I help her?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed

My cat has what looks like a stye on the bottom of her eye. Could you tell me what exactly it is and how to get rid of it please

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on June 29th, 2016

Without seeing in person, I can't say exactly what it is on the bottom of her eye. Cats do get styes, they are localized glandular infections. I would recommend taking your cat into the vet to make sure that it is a style and not something else. In the meantime, there are few things you can do. Apply hot water to a clean cloth. Wring out the excess water and then gently press the warm, damp cloth to the affected eye. This will help to reduce swelling and inflammation. Keep the eye area clean. Contact your veterinarian if the stye persists for more than one week or if it worsens.
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 19th, 2017

    Dogs can get styes like humans, and you can try pressing a warm compress on this area for five to 10 minutes at a time a couple of times a day. If Belle does have a stye, this warm compress will encourage it to drain. Should this not help with the swelling after 24 hours, then I would have Belle seen by a vet on Monday.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on August 24th, 2017

    Stys don't usually start out like a scratch. I would keep an eye on it for another 24 hours. If it continues to get more swollen, if there is discharge, or if Hickory is squinting or rubbing her eye, then I would have it checked out by a vet to see what could be going on.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 5th, 2019

    You can try a warm compress on the area to see if that helps it drain and go down. You can apply it a couple of times a day for five minutes at a time. If it doesn't go away, bothers Cassie, and/or gets bigger, have her seen by a vet.

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    2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Health & Wellness
My cat has eye discharge and a potential stye. Does she need a vet?
I am not able to appreciate something that looks like a stye. Dogs and cats can get infections in the oil glands at the edge of the eyelids. Warm compresses twice a day and eye medications can be used to help clear up the infection. I do think that Ginger needs to be examined by a vet to make sure that her eyelids aren't rolling in or that none of her eyelashes are bothering her cornea, which are common problems in dogs and cats with excessive skin folds around the eye. Use a warm wet wash cloth to gently clean her skin folds, and try to do it in a way that she feels comfortable, like a companion helping her groom.
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My cat has an eye growth. Is it a stye or something serious?
Hello. That looks like a growth, not a sty. It may be benign or malignant, but due to the close proximity to his eyelid margin, it would be best to consider surgery to remove it. If it continues to get larger, it may cause issues with the eye or tear glands. Please have your veterinarian examine your cat and discuss surgical options. Thank you
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My dog has a sty on their eye. How do I treat it safely at home?
Soaked a soft washcloth in hot water, let it cool a bit (it should be warm to the touch), and apply it to the sty for five minutes at a time a couple of times a days. If this doesn't help drain the sty, have her seen by a vet.
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Noticed a lump on my dog's eye. Is it a stye? Should I call the vet?
Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Frankie. That looks like some kind of lump, and it could be it's a stye. I'd try applying a warm compress to it five minutes a day a couple times a day to see if that helps open it up and drain. If this does not help, it gets bigger, starts bleeding or has pus, or it starts to bother her, then I would have her seen by a vet for it. I hope this helps!
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Vet Q & A
Can a cat licking my dog's eye cause a stye or other eye problems?
I suppose it is possible that a cat licking Odie's eye could cause a stye by introducing bacteria into the eyelash follicle. This is certainly not a common occurrence, but there is also a chance that the cat's rough tongue could have irritated the cornea of the eye, possibly causing ulceration. If Odie is experiencing any eye changes, he should be examined by a vet immediately, as eye conditions can progress rapidly.
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My dog has a bleeding stye on his eyelid. What should I do now?
Although a picture of the injury would help to give you a specific answer, I would strongly recommend to have the eye checked by your local vet as soon as possible to confirm diagnosis and have the best treatment options. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops may be needed.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My dog's eye sty popped. Should I take him to the vet immediately?
This looks suspicious of a meibomian cyst-a cyst including a small gland around the eyelid. Many times they will "rupture" on their own but will regrow in the same area after this happens. I always recommend removal as they can become quite large and irritate the eye of he affected animal. If they are not surgically removed by your vet-normally part of the cyst remains and refills. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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