Cat gets eye boogers every day – what to do next

Just like for humans, it’s normal for cats to accumulate boogers around their eyes. The fact that the eye boogers are appearing every day is not necessarily a problem unless it’s caused by an underlying health problem. Here are some potential reasons why your cat is getting eye boogers every day.

Exposure to dirt

Your cat is roaming lower and closer to the floor where it’s more likely to get exposed to dirty and debris, especially if you have a carpet floor at home. Vacuuming the house regularly is the simplest way to making it less likely for the crusty gunk to appear around the cat’s eye.

When your cat does get eye boogers, it’s important to not use your bare hands to wipe them off. It puts the cat at risk of getting an infection, especially if you haven’t washed your hands! One of the safest ways to wipe off the cat’s eye boogers is by using eye wipes for pets.

Dried tears

Eye boogers can also appear when there is a buildup of dried tears. The everyday appearance of eye boogers may indicate a problem with the cat’s eyes. The tear ducts, for example, could be blocked or clogged. Excessive tearing could also happen due to an allergic reaction or due to small, abnormal hair growing underneath the cat’s eyelids. Have the cat checked by the vet as soon as possible if it shows any sudden signs of discomfort.

Illnesses

There are many types of illnesses that can indirectly cause cats to get eye boogers every day. Feline upper respiratory infections, for example, can lead to frequent eye discharge in cats. The eye boogers could be a result of the cat’s body trying to flush out infectious organisms. The eye boogers could also be a result of inflammations like conjunctivitis (pink eye).

When should you worry about your cat’s eye boogers?

The regular presence of eye boogers isn’t a concrete sign your cat is sick. That said, it may be worth a quick call to the vet if the development of eye boogers is sudden and your cat is showing other concerning behaviors such as excessive squinting and pawing of the eyes. The color of the cat’s eyes may also give you a good hint of whether something more sinister is at play.

If appropriate for your cat’s circumstances, your vet may ask you to apply antibiotic ointments to help fight the cat’s eye infection. Make sure to keep your house sparkly clean while the cat recovers. Getting a HEPA air purifier may also help the cause, especially if you live in an area that doesn’t always have the cleanest air.