Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My stray cat has a scratched eye. Is it an emergency or will it heal?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered

Dear vets, our stray cat Ploffie seems to have hurt himself in the eye. It looks like a "scratch" inside the eye and whenever it's dark and I turn my flashlight on the eyes the wounded eye seems to reflect differently from the other eye. Next to that he has no symptoms at all, but since I can not easily catch him I worry a lot about him and especially about his vision and if this is an emergency to catch him, or if this would possibly heal on it's own? Thanks in advance! Kind regards, Josine

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 7th, 2019

While I can see the lesion you're referring to in the pictures it's difficult to tell where it originates from. It could be a growth coming from the iris or foreign material stuck in the eye. I would recommend catching him for your vet to take a look - it is possible that it's something that could affect his vision. If it's really difficult to take him to the vet you could see if there are any mobile veterinarians in your area that could come to the house, but you would still need to confine him somewhere inside (without many areas to hide) for the visit.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Elva Ma DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 9th, 2018
Hello, and thank you for your question. The photos are a bit blurry so it is hard to give you a definitive diagnosis, but my first thought is that he has been rubbing or scratching at his eye, causing the irritation on the corner of the eyelids. Eye itchiness can be due to an eye infection, and more importantly, scratching can lead to damage of the eye itself. For this reason, I would recommend getting your kitty seen by a vet in the next 24 hours to find out the cause.

In the meantime, I would advise putting an e-collar (cone) on his head to prevent any further trauma. I know you haven't seen him scratching the eye specifically, but it is possible he may be doing it when you are not around.

I hope this helps, and that your kitty is feeling better soon!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Ana M, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on February 20th, 2020
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Bandit. He may have an allergy or allergic reaction, an infection in that eye or a scratch across the surface of the eye. I agree that he needs to see his veterinarian. In the meantime, keep the eye free of any discharge that may start. Do not allow him to paw at the eye as can cause further damage. Place on E-collar on him if necessary. I hope this information helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 1st, 2019
I would not be worried about the scab under the eye. It looks to be healing fine. Just monitor it.

The scabs all over the body are a bit concerning. I suggest you have him to the vet for an exam to have that checked out.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My cat has an eye scratch from another cat. Is it an emergency?

Hello, A cat scratch to the eye can be a serious emergency and warrants evaluation by a veterinarian. It is important to have the eye evaluted because if left untreated, Fluffy may develop a severe infection inside the eye. However, with prompt treatment and application of an E-collar she should make a speedy recovery.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat's eye is scratched, glossy, and squinting. Will he go blind?

Your vet will need to take a look at your cat's eye to see if the scratch perforated the cornea and involved other structures of the eye. Your vet should also see it to treat it because not treating it can lead to vision loss depending on the severity of the injury. The course of treatment will depend on the severity of the injury and the part of the eye that was injured. If the wound is non-perforating and has no wound edge or opening, an Elizabethan collar will be used to prevent your cat from scratching at its eye, along with antibiotic or atropine eye solutions. Non-perforating wounds that have a mild break in the tissue, or a pinpoint wound perforation, may be treated with a soft contact lens, an Elizabethan collar, and antibiotic or atropine solutions. If the scratch goes deep into the eye and involves other structures in the eye, surgical repair will likely be needed. Your vet is the best person to determine what course of treatment is best.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

What's wrong with a stray cat's bleeding, sore eye and how to help?

It's difficult to know what this is without seeing it. This could be a bad case of conjunctivitis, an infection within the eye, or a problem with the skin surrounding the eye. Either way, this sounds very severe and it's important that Kitty be seen by a vet soon. If you can get her into carrier and take her to a vet, that would be best. Sometimes, you have to catch them in a trap (non-harmful) in order to get them to a vet. If you have trouble doing this, or are unable to take her to a vet, then I recommend calling the local shelter and asking for assistance. The shelters have vets on staff and will ensure Kitty gets the necessary treatment. I hope that helps and Kitty gets better soon.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat has an irritated eye scratch. Should I see a vet or wait?

Keep an eye on it and if it does not look better by tomorrow, or if he starts to scratch at it or rub his face, then get him seen by your vet as soon as possible. The worry is that if he starts rubbing or scratching, that he'll injure the eye itself and that will require more intensive treatment than a simple scratch or mild eye infection.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

How to safely clean a cat's scratch above its eye and when to see a vet?

Poor Bond. It’s hard to say for sure based on the photo, but the scratch appears to be fairly superficial. If it is, then just flushing it with sterile eye irrigating solution from your local pharmacy should be enough to keep it from getting infected so that it can heal well. If it any point it looks like it is getting infected (yellow or green discharge) or isn’t healing well (within 4-7 days), then it’s best to get your vet to take a look at the wound for further treatment. No topical ointment should be placed this close to the eye, unless it is a prescription eye ointment from your vet. Hopefully things heal up well! As long as you continue to flush it daily it should heal well. Best wishes and take care.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Is a stray cat's eye scab contagious to my vaccinated cats at home?

Hi there and thanks for posting! It is hard to say exactly what the lesion above the stray cat's eye may be without examining it first, but some possibilities may include a bite wound or abscess, bacterial infection, or a fungal infection such as ringworm which can be contagious. You may want to call your local animal control and let them know about the stray cat around your area. Perhaps they may be able to get the cat seen by a veterinarian for treatment and also to have the cat scanned for a microchip (if it has one) which may provide information about its owner. Until more information can be found out about the stray cat, I would recommend limiting your cat's contact with the stray. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat's eye is watering and he's scratching it. What to do?

Great job thinking on your feet to keep Midnight in your lap so that he can't scratch his eye. It sounds as if he may have either gotten something in his eye or potentially have a corneal ulcer, which is just a fancy way to say a small cut on the surface of his eye (the cornea). It is important that you keep him from scratching or rubbing the eye, as this can potentially cause more damage. Midnight will definitely need to see a veterinarian to examine his eye and prescribe the appropriate medication if needed. In the meantime, I highly recommend getting Midnight an e-collar, or cone of shame until you can get him seen by a vet as soon as possible. Most pet stores sell them, PetCo. definitely carries them. While this is not a true emergency, it may be easier to take Midnight to an emergency clinic just to get things taken care of before there is time for things to potentially get worse. I hope this helps and good luck with everything. I'm happy to consult with you or your parents if they have any additional questions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share