Cat eye problems – when should I see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Contact a vet today

This can have a serious cause – contact your vet today if any of the warning signs below apply, or if you are unsure. Eye problems should always be taken seriously to prevent loss of vision.

When to contact a vet What to do now

Contact a vet if you see any of this

Any change in your cat’s eyes
Pain

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

Eye problems in cats can include weeping or discharge, redness or swelling, and cloudiness.^[1] They can also include pain, blinking or keeping one or both eyes closed, a visible third eyelid, or a lump in or around the eye.^[1] Other signs include loss of vision, blood in the eye, a bulging eye, or a change in the size or shape of the pupil.^[1]

Other signs that can come with it

Weeping or discharge
Redness or swelling
Cloudiness
A third eyelid showing
A lump in or around the eye
Loss of vision
Blood in the eye
A bulging eye

What the experts say

“Weeping/discharge ; Redness or swelling ; Cloudiness ; Pain/blinking/keeping one or both eye(s) closed ; Third eyelid showing ; A lump in or around the eye ; Loss of vision ; Blood in the eye ; Bulging eye ; A change in the size/shape of the pupil”
— PDSA [1]

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.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What can eye problems look like in a cat?

They can include weeping or discharge, redness or swelling, cloudiness, pain, blinking or keeping one or both eyes closed, a third eyelid showing, a lump in or around the eye, loss of vision, blood in the eye, a bulging eye, or a change in the size or shape of the pupil.^[1]

When should I contact a vet?

If you notice a change in your cat’s eyes, contact your vet. If your cat is in pain, contact your vet immediately.^[1]

Why should eye problems be taken seriously?

Eye problems should always be taken seriously to prevent loss of vision.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

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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