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

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Russian Blue | Male | neutered | 5 lbs

my cats eye is watering really bad and hes whining like it hurts and he keeps trying to scratch it and i dont know what to do im only 17 and hes 5 i think. his name is midnight. we cleaned out a moldy room recently and he ran in while we were moving the bed out. im holding him in my lap so he cant scratch his eye. i dont know what to do and my dads not home right now. what do i do?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Lauren Celestin, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Dentistry Resident

Published on July 27th, 2017

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.

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 keeps scratching his eye injury. Should I take him to the vet?

It looks like poor Gryffin has been irritating the area by scratching at it. I would get a cone to prevent him from causing more damage until you can get an appointment with your veterinarian. I would keep the area clean and dry and try not to let him rub it.

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

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

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

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My kitten has a scratched eye. What urgent steps should I take?

Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am so sorry that Sheldon has scratched his eye. These are common injuries in kittens, & invariably they need to be treated with antibiotics. The reason for this is there is no way to clean or bandage the eye & there is bacteria on the eye. Depending on how deep the scratch goes will also dictate how deep an infection can become seated. In addition, a scratched cornea is very painful. Antibiotics will prevent a massive & deep infection from possibly compromising the eye, & appropriate pain medication will make Sheldon much happier. The thing to remember is an eye infection can clear up very quickly with proper treatment. Things can also go very bad without, so I hope you ca have him seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Good luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat's eye tears a lot, sometimes one or both. What's wrong?

I am so sorry to hear that Ichabod is experiencing these problems with his eyes. Thank you for providing an excellent picture, it seems slightly redx the third eye lid is protruding, and has discharge. Start by placing an e-collar or cone on Ichabod to prevent scratching or rubbing. If the eye is infected it is likely painful, this will prompt Him to scratch or rub hiseye. However, this could inflict further damage, infection or even an ulceration. Because eye concerns with cats, such as infections, corneal ulcerations, cataracts and glaucoma, can progress rapidly in I would have him examined by your veterinarian to diagnose the issue. The precise medication can then be dispensed by your veterinarian. Please do not attempt to treat an eye infection at home with any over the counter medications, drops or ointments. This can lead to permanent damage and unnecessary pain or discomfort. I hope this answer was helpful and that Ichabod feels better soon. Warmest regards to you both!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

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

Share