Cat Pink Eye Symptoms

Feline conjunctivitis, commonly known as cat pink eye, is a very common eye infection in cats in which the conjunctival membrane covering the cat's eyeball and inside of the eyelid is inflamed. The treatment for pink eye depends on the underlying cause, usually a virus or allergy, and can be diagnosed by a veterinarian. Not all cats will exhibit all symptoms of pink eye, and an examination by a veterinarian is required to diagnose conjunctivitis and determine the appropriate course of treatment.

  1. Redness

    • Redness of the whites of the cat's eyes is the first and most common symptom, and the reason conjunctivitis came to be known as "pink eye." In some cats, the iris of the eye may even change color or become duller than usual. This redness may persist even after treatment has begun.

    Swelling

    • Redness is often accompanied by swelling of the tissues around the cat's eye and eyelids. This swelling may be limited to the corners of the infected eye. Infected cats will often appear to squint, leaving their eyes half-closed, or have difficulty opening their eyes at all due to the swelling.

    Discharge

    • Most infected cats will have excessive tearing. Additionally, some cats' eyes will emit a pus-like discharge, distinct from tearing. This discharge ranges in color from clear to yellow, gray, green or red. The color of the discharge can assist the veterinarian in diagnosing the underlying cause of the cat's conjunctivitis.

    Itchiness

    • While pink eye is not usually painful for a cat, it is itchy and uncomfortable. A cat will exhibit this symptom by frequently pawing at its eyes. The cat may also keep its eyes closed and avoid well-lit areas, as infected eyes are more sensitive to light and bright light would be painful.