Why is my cat's eye red, squinting, and she's biting her paw?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! 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 Puma evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Further therapy would be based on the findings. He may be pawing at the eye due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively! Good luck and best wishes!

Coco could have an eye infection, or could have a scrape or ulcer on her eye - this is a very common injury! There can be more "internal" eye problems that cause squinting too - glaucoma, uveitis, etc. External problems such as injury and infection are the most common in cats, however. It's best to have Coco seen by the vet to make sure the cause of the squinting is identified and properly treated.

If your pet has tested negative and has been vaccinated for feline leukemia and feline aids, you shouldn't have to worry about those. This could simply be an upper respiratory infection (if sneezing or nasal drainage have been seen), allergies are common this time of year, feline herpes (if you've seen an ulcer or bump), or maybe even something going on with just the eye. You'll want to visit your local Veterinarian for an exam. He/she may prescribe an antibiotic depending on Zoey's condition.

Poor girl. If she is indeed closing the eye and seems bothered by it, there is a good chance she has a scratch or ulcer on the the from some unknown trauma she may have caused herself. She will need prescription antibiotics from your vet to get this to heal properly. I would recommend taking her in soon to get this treated before it gets any worse. Best wishes with Millie and I hope she feels better soon. Take care.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. From the pictures you posted it does not look that there is anything very serious going on with her left eye. Squinting the eye could be result of trauma (usually scratch from another cat) or infection. Please, keep wiping the eye and giving her soothing eye drops. If the eye is not back to normal after 5-6 days, you will have to try and get her seen by a vet.

Poor girl. Yes I do see the swelling there of the left eye. She may or may not have scratched her eye b/c of the fleas, but it definitely isn't helping the situation. You will unfortunately have to visit your vet to get the prescribed medication she needs to have her eye treated for, because there are no over the counter eye meds for pets. I would recommend topical Revolution to prevent fleas in cats, this product is also given through your vet and is highly effective. I would also recommend treating your home for fleas with a flea fogger from your local Lowe's or Home depot. So its best to schedule an appt within the next day or 2 to get Qumar the medications she needs to get well. I hope that Qumar is able to get all her issues resolved soon. Best wishes and take care.

Squinting, or keeping one eye closed, is usually a sign of pain in the eye - so yes, this is something that I would definitely have checked by your vet when you are able to :) Fudge Stripe may have an eye infection, or an injury to her cornea such as a scratch or ulcer. Your veterinarian can do a thorough ophthalmic exam and may also use a special eye stain if needed to help diagnose the problem so that your kitty can be treated appropriately.