Your cat’s eyes offer a glimpse into the health of your pet’s entire body.
If your cat is squinting or closing one eye more than occasionally, it could be a sign that something is wrong.
Squinting or closing one eye more than occasionally could indicate a health problem that warrants a visit to the vet. Here are some reasons why your cat’s eye might be closed or squinting.
Let’s start now!
Why Does You Cat Squint One Eye?
Conjunctivitis or inflammation causes redness of the eye and watery discharge from the eyes.
Blepharospasm or corneal ulcers might cause your cat to squint one eye because of pain or discomfort in those areas.
Glaucoma, anisocoria, and other eye abnormalities may result in squinting eyes in cats.
Squinting one eye in your cat might be caused due to discomfort or irritation.
In addition, your cat may develop glaucoma if a cat attack caused an eye injury and weakened the eye’s structure.
There are several eye conditions that may be to blame for the squinting in your cat’s eyes.
Your cat is squinting one eyelid because of irritation and discomfort and the underlying issue needs to be treated before the problem persists.
Dust, strong odors, and smoke, among a number of other things can cause irritation in your cat’s eyes.
Your cat’s eyes may also severely dry out if she doesn’t receive the proper amount of fluids or her diet is high in salt or carbohydrates and low in moisture or protein.
Squinting in cats is more likely when ocular pain is present; any underlying condition that leads to discomfort in your cat’s eyes is likely to lead to squinting.
A viral or bacterial infection in the cornea or conjunctiva causes corneal ulcers in cats.
Cats with blepharospasm may develop ulcers as well.
It’s a condition in which may squint one eye and the owners may think that something is wrong with their eyes.
Allergies and bacterial and fungal infections are also possible causes of the squinting in cats.
Squinting one eye might indicate anisocoria in cats.
Ocular trauma, infections, anatomical abnormalities, and any eye injury might be causes of glaucoma in cats.
Anatomical anomalies, elevated intraocular pressure, long-term eye injuries, and lens dislocation may be the reason your cat is squinting one eye.
Symptoms of squinting in cats
When a cat squints it usually means they are in pain or experiencing discomfort in one or both eyes.
Squinting can be caused by many things including: Corneal ulcers (infection of the cornea) Blepharospasm (abnormal involuntary contractions of the eyelid) Anisoco.
Squinting is unfortunately almost always a frustrating symptom of some other underlying disease or condition in your cat.
If your cat is squinting frequently or it doesn’t seem to resolve itself after a day or so, it’s always wise to contact your veterinarian as they may recommend bloodwork or other testing to rule out any underlying disease.
If your cat is squinting it’s not only uncomfortable but it’s really irritating for both of you.
In a cat where one eye is totally closed I can’t see what’s wrong, so I may be of some help.
One eye closed in a cat is a definite sign of a corneal ulcer in the affected eye.
Why Is My Cat’s Eye Half Closed?
A cat’s eye is closed in response to an irritation or injury to the eye or its surrounding structures.
A cat’s eye closes automatically when a cat focuses on an object, especially when the object is close by and the object is very bright or glaring.
This is why cats often close one eye when they stare at a laser pointer or watch a bird above their house or window.
A closed eye can also help protect a cat’s eye from damage, such as from airborne debris or in response to a painful or irritating treatment such as injection or vaccination.
A cat’s eye may also close when a pet owner accidentally grabs or pinches the eyelid or rubs the eye too hard.
Injured Eye/Lense Trauma
Your cat may have scratched or poked its eye, causing trauma and swelling. Refer to a vet if this happens since you may need to administer topical antibiotics or steroid drops into your cat’s eye.
Don’t touch the eye unless instructed by the vet!
Infection
Your cat may have scratched its eye or rubbed it against something dirty, causing it to rub its eye or become infected.
The infection could be caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia or virus called Feline Herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1). Refer to a vet if this happens since you may need antibiotics to treat the infection.
Don’t touch the eye unless instructed by the vet! Bacterial Keratitis – This bacterial disease causes ulceration of the cornea, resulting in pain, redness, and cloudiness in your cat’s eye.
The infection is often caused by a bacterium called Mycoplasma hyopneumonia which is spread through airborne droplets or direct contact with infected cats.
What Should You Do When Your Cat Is Keeping One Eye Closed?
It’s a good idea to figure the cause of an eye closure in cats before deciding what action to take if you’re concerned about what’s best for the health of the animal.
However, if you find your cat blinking one eye, youcan try some methods to solve this problem.
Optimize Their Home Environment
You may also improve your cat’s situation by improving their living surroundings.
If you have more than one cat in the home, ensure that one of them is in isolation in order to prevent the infection from spreading to other cats in the home.
If your cat has conjunctivitis, they should wear an eye shield to protect them from infection when they play with the other cats.
It is better to keep your cats in a room that has a glass window and a door to allow in natural light.
In addition, if your cats are older or sick, or are experiencing pain from an injury, talk to your doctor about additional pain medications that may help keep their eyes from closing.
In addition, make sure that the lighting in your cat’s area is not bothersome to their eyes so they may keep both eyes open.
Correct Home Care
It’s up to you to ensure that your cat receives the proper care for their eye injury until you’re able to take them to the vets for further treatment or care.
By doing so, you’ll prevent the eye from drying out and may even promote healing.
A pet collar may not be fun for your cat, but it will allow you to catch him in an attempt to paw at an eye, and you’ll be able to take him to the vet or the vet will schedule an appointment for you if the injury is severe enough.
If your cat’s eyes or eyes are red or swollen, they might develop a crust or scab underneath their eyelids.
Starting from the inner corner, gently wipe the area with a damp piece of cloth or a clean tissue.
Clean around the eye instead of forcing it open to wash out the eye itself.
Visit the Vet
Your cat should be examined by a veterinary professional.
Conditions of the eyes may cause long-term damage if forced open by force or trauma.
You should take your cat to the doctor even if you think the closed eye is because of sleep or age.
Also, avoid opening your or your cat’s eyes forcefully.
Also Read: Why Do Cats Close Their Eyes When They Eat?
Can You Prevent Eye Problems in Cats?
When a cat’s eye is infected, there’s no amount of prevention that will work.
These issues may be inherited or develop as a function of age and lifestyle.
Keeping a cat inside also prevents exposure to harmful plants like lilies and tulips that are toxic to cats.
Keeping your cat away from other cats also lowers the risk of an infectious disease spreading to your pet’s eyes.
Conclusion
When you notice your cat is blinking with one eye closed more than normal or keeps opening or closing it while sleeping or sitting, it might be a sign that something is wrong with one of their eyes.
The eyes are sensitive organs that need special care and attention.
However, the best course of action is to remain cool, keep an eye on your cat’s eyes and behavior and take them to the doctor as soon as possible.
A conjunctivitis is the most common reason that a cat has one eye closed.
It is possible to effectively identify and treat many causes of eye problems in cats.
Make your cat’s environment as comfy as can be and stick to their prescribed therapy, and your cat will be happy, healthy, and back to their mischievous behaviors in no time.