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What to do for a starved stray cat with eye issues and strong urine?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 1lb

We found a cat about two years starved and red eye and cloudy eye. It's eating and drinking and seams to be doing better than last nigh. She has a very strong urine odor. What to do?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on November 3rd, 2017

I would recommend that you have Kitty checked out by a vet. She may be thin just from poor nutrition, but other possible causes include intestinal parasites internal medical illness, or infection.

The goopy discharge around her eyes indicates inflammation, and could be from an upper respiratory infection, eye infection, damage to the cornea, dehydration, among several other things. Use a warm wet washcloth to gently remove the discharge and help her keep it clean.

A strong urine odor could be from poor living conditions, urinating on herself from UTI or bladder stones, other urinary issue, or from being scared and urinating on herself. You can bathe her with a pet shampoo to remove the odor.

Until you can get Kitty to the vet for examination, keep a close eye on her appetite and urinary and bowel movements.
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

    Veterinarian

    Hi there and thanks for posting.

    Kitty may have an eye infection from a viral or bacterial infection that may be causing the red eye. A cloudy eye can be caused by cataracts, a viral infection, or other ocular disease.

    Strong odor urine can be caused by a urinary tract infection.

    I would recommend Kitty be examined by her veterinarian soon so that a definitive diagnosis can be made and she can receive the appropriate treatment. That is the best thing you can do for her to help her feeling well soon :)

    I hope this helps and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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