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

Why are my Persian cat's eyes always wet and rust-stained?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Persian | Female | spayed | 4 years and 3 months old | 4 lbs

My 4 year old female Persian cat's eyes always seem to need cleaning. They get particularly wet/weepy when she wakes up. It's always a rust colour as well. She sleeps and spends a lot of time under my bed, which can be quite dusty. I clean them every evening with re-nu eye solution and clean make up pads. This seems to be the best solution that I have found, but they still need cleaning daily. She also hates having her yes cleaned. Is this normal for a Persian cat?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on February 21st, 2017

I have a Persian as well, and face the same problem you have with Smooshee. Because a Persian's face is so flat, they have a shortened nasal cavity. The result of that if they experience more drainage from their eyes, and it is common in cats and dogs with flatter faces. I also clean my Persian's face daily, and I use Fido's tear stain remover for dogs and cats. I got it at Animates pet store here in New Zealand, and I'm sure you can find that product or something similar in Australia. I find with using that I don't have to clean up Mao's face (my cat) every day, and it helps get rid of the tear stains. I recommend using a product like that.

Another thing to consider is that Smooshee could be suffering from chlamydia. Don't worry, you can't get it! It's a bacteria respiratory infection in cats that manifests as conjunctivitis. It can be a chronic condition, and it becomes worse in times of stress. Mao has it as well, and it makes his tear stains worse sometimes. A course of doxycycline can help clear up an outbreak of chlamydia in cats, and you can have Smooshee seen by a vet to see if she does suffer from it as it may help with her tear stain problem.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My Persian cat has watery, gooey, black eye discharge. What to do?

Persians have very flat faces, and eye tearing and improper tear drainage due to their face structure. Bacteria causes the discharge to become rust-brown and can stain the face of white or light colored cats. You should clean Simba's face daily to prevent this from happening. You can eye use wipes, sold in pet stores, to keep them free of tears and the build up. You can also use a slightly damp cotton ball one to two times daily to wipe the area around the eyes, removing any dried, crusty tears that have formed overnight. Also have him checked out by a vet to make sure he doesn't have an eye infection, as that can also be cause of excessive eye discharge. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My white cat has brown tear stains. How can I clean and prevent them?

I feel your pain on this issue! I have a Persian, and he gets terrible tear stains. I use a tear stain remover on my cat, which I get from the pet store. I would get one of those, as they help remove the stains. You can try feeding him from a porcelain or metal bowl. Plastic bowls can crack and retain bacteria, which can cause continued problems with excessive tearing. You can also give him filtered water instead of tap water, as that's reported to help as well.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My Persian kitten has teary eyes. What's the best way to help?

Persians have such compressed eye sockets that the normal amount of tears that every cat has ends up tearing in a Persian. Also because the eyes have more exposure they probably create a little more tear film. Nothing will “fix” this. However, rinsing with isotonic saline can help rinse any debris out and keep the cornea as healthy as possible. I would keep doing that. If the eyes are red or if the discharge is green the. She should be seen by a veterinarian. Good luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

What causes my Persian cat's watery, dirty eyes? How to treat?

Persian cats are predisposed to have watery eyes and upper respiratory tract infection due to their skull and respiratory tract conformation. Aside from predisposition and normal breed features, respiratory tract infections (often viral) can lead to excessive discharge from eyes and nose and intermittent check ups and eventually antibiotic treatment may help to solve or improve Michi's condition. Cleaning eyes and nose may help greatly, so you are doing already the right thing!! I would recommend to take Michi to your local veterinarian for a check up.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

How to reduce tear stains on my Persian cat? Diet and home care?

Oh, I feel your pain! I also have a Persian, and I clean his face regularly as well due to his tear stains. You can try using a glass, porcelain, or stainless steel food bowl. Plastic bowls can crack and harbor bacteria, which can then cause facial irritation. There have been reports that bottled water instead of tap water can reduce tear stain formation, but it hasn't been proven scientifically. You can feed them a high quality cat food. Royal Canin has a Persian formulated food, which my Persian loves. Hope this helps :-)

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My cat has watery eyes and tear stains. What should I do?

What a cutie! I am sorry to hear about Kalli's issue. Allergies is one possible cause. Abnormally positioned eyelashes or facial hair touching the cornea can also cause this, as can blockage of the nasolacrimal duct which normally drains tears off the eyes. You can read more about this issue at https://www.vin.com/veterinarypartner/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951527 (the article says dogs but applies to cats as well). I would recommend wiping the tears from her face several times a day with a wet cloth. If she seems bothered by the tears, she squints or rubs her eyes, or the eyes look red or develop a green or yellow discharge she needs to see the vet. If she is stressed by travel to the vet you can see if there is a housecall vet in your area, or you can ask her vet for medication to give her prior to her visit to make her less stressed. You can also use Feliway spray on her carrier and give her a calming supplement such as Composure or Zylkene beforehand to try to help her be less stressed. These products are available online or at your vet's office.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My cat has brown stains above her nose. Is it infection? How to clean?

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Due to the Persian being a brachycephalic breed ("smoosh-face"), it is not uncommon for them to develop brown discoloration or crusting in the facial fold above their nose. The most important part of the daily routine for Billu is to clean the facial fold. This can be done by using a warm, moist cloth to remove debris build-up. If the area ever appears red, painful, or has a discharge or odor then it could possibly be infected. When this occurs it is best to have them evaluated by a veterinarian so that a medicated cleansing wipe can be prescribed to help decrease the occurrence in the future.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

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

Share