Cat runny eyes – when should I see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 2 sources

Based on: PDSA, International Cat Care (iCatCare)

Book a vet visit

This is not usually an emergency on its own – contact your vet if it lasts, gets worse or your cat seems unwell in any other way. Runny eyes can be linked to eye infections, cat flu, eye injuries, something stuck in the eye, or eyelid, eyelash or tear-duct problems.

When to contact a vet What to do now

Contact a vet if you see any of this

Continual weeping
Sticky discharge
Pain, including holding the eyes closed, squinting or rubbing
Redness or swelling
Cloudiness
Coughing or sneezing
Any other symptoms

What you can do now

Contact your vet.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.
Let your cat rest somewhere calm.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it can mean

Excessive tears or a thicker, mucous-type discharge can be a sign that something is wrong.^[2] Possible causes include eye infections, cat flu, eye injuries, something stuck in the eye, itchy skin, and eyelid, eyelash or tear-duct problems.^[1] Flat-faced breeds such as Persians and Exotic Shorthairs can be prone to runny eyes.^[2]

Possible causes

Eye infections
Cat flu
Eye injuries
Something stuck in the eye
Eye and eyelid lumps
Itchy skin
Blocked tear ducts
Eyelash problems
Eyelid problems
Breed-related

What the experts say

“Eye infections ; Cat flu ; Eye injuries such as corneal ulcers, a scratch, a blow to the face ; Something stuck in the eye such as a grass seed ; Eye and eyelid lumps ; Itchy skin ; Blocked tear ducts ; Eyelash problems ; Eyelid problems ; Breed related”
— PDSA [1]

“As with people, cats constantly produce tears to protect their eyes. However, excessive tears or a thicker, mucous-type discharge from the eyes - often referred to as ‘runny eyes’ - can be a sign that something’s wrong.”
— International Cat Care (iCatCare) [2]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

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Common questions

Is a little eye crusting normal?

A small amount of crusting in the corner of the eyes can be normal, but continual weeping or sticky discharge is not.^[1]

What can cause runny eyes in cats?

Runny eyes can be linked to eye infections, cat flu, eye injuries, something stuck in the eye, itchy skin, and eyelid, eyelash or tear-duct problems.^[1]

Are some cats more prone to runny eyes?

Flat-faced breeds such as Persians and Exotic Shorthairs can be prone to runny eyes.^[2]

Sources

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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