Can Cats Get Pink Eye?

Reviewed by Dr. Fiona Lee

Your cat's eyes are a window to their health, sparkling with curiosity, affection and a little mischief. But what should you do if you notice redness, swelling or discharge clouding your kitty's usually bright gaze? These symptoms are strong indicators of pink eye—a common but often painful eye condition that needs veterinarian treatment.

Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, isn't just uncomfortable for your kitty. If left untreated, it might lead to more serious complications, including vision loss. Understanding the causes, symptoms and treatment options can help you keep your kitty's eyes healthy and her vision clear.¹

What Is Pink Eye in Cats?

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, occurs when a delicate membrane called the conjunctiva, which protects your cat's eye, becomes inflamed.¹ (Human eyes have a conjunctiva, too!) This thin film covers the inside of your cat's eyelids and the white parts of their eyes.² It also protects a part of the eye that's unique to cats and dogs called the third eyelid, located in the corner of their eyes.³

Pink eye can cause discomfort, irritation or even pain. If not treated, it can lead to more serious complications, like eye damage or possibly even blindness.¹

What Causes Pink Eye in Cats?

Pink eye has a wide variety of causes in cats, including bacterial and viral infections that can be very contagious, allergens and other underlying conditions.⁴

Infections

Bacterial and viral infections are a common cause of pink eye.¹ Viral causes include:⁴

• Felines herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1): The most common cause and very contagious. The virus can stay dormant and reactivate during stress or when your cat's sick.
• Calicivirus: A common culprit spread through close contact. Some cats can become carriers of this virus, too.

Bacterial causes can include:⁴

• Mycoplasma
• Chlamydophila felis
• Staphylococcus
• Streptococcus
• Bartonella
• Pseudomonas species

Irritants and allergies

Some cats can develop pink eye from environmental irritants. Sometimes this can be an allergic reaction to anything from dust to pollen, mold or even food. Environmental irritants—such as smoke or chemicals—might also cause pink eye.¹

Other underlying conditions and causes

Other conditions might cause pink eye:

• Dry eye or tear duct issues²
• Foreign bodies in the eye, such as dirt or debris¹
• Autoimmune diseases⁴
• Eye or eyelid diseases like tumors, glaucoma, cancer or other causes⁴
• Parasites that cause systemic illness (more common in outdoor cats)⁴
• Fungal conjunctivitis (more likely in cats with immunodeficiency or those that needed a long-term antibiotic or steroid eye drops)¹

Which types of pink eye can be spread to humans?

Although pink eye involves an inflamed conjunctiva in both humans and cats, most causes of pink eye in cats can't be passed on to people. However, there are a few exceptions that are more likely if someone is immunocompromised. These include:⁴

• Chlamydophila felis (bacterial)
• Leishmaniasis (parasitic)
• Thelaziasis (parasitic)
• Onchocerciasis (parasitic)

Symptoms of Pink Eye in Cats

Common symptoms of feline pink eye include:

• Red and swollen eyes or eyelids¹
• Excessive tearing³
• Mild eye discomfort²
• Eye discharge that may be thick like pus, often clear, yellow or green¹
• Squinting, blinking or keeping the eye closed¹
• Rubbing at the face or pawing at the eye¹
• Itchy skin around the eyes or hair loss⁴
• Visible third eyelid (it's normally hidden)³
• Seeking dark areas due to light sensitivity¹

The underlying cause of your cat's pink eye might also have other symptoms. For example, if your cat's pink eye is caused by a respiratory infection or allergen, you might see symptoms like sneezing or nasal discharge.¹

How Is Pink Eye in Cats Diagnosed?

If you suspect your cat has pink eye, see a veterinarian right away. This helps ensure your kitty is treated with the right medicine and can make a full recovery. Your veterinarian may run a series of tests to diagnose your kitty:

• Full physical exam²
• Fluorescein stain to check for corneal ulcers or scratches¹
• Schirmer tear test to determine how many tears your cat naturally produces⁴
• Swabs of eye discharge to identify bacteria, viruses or fungus¹
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or cytology to help diagnose viruses¹
• Additional tests if an underlying condition is suspected, such as eye pressure tests for glaucoma, allergy tests or blood tests for FeLV and FIV⁴

Treatments for Cat Pink Eye

The treatment your veterinarian recommends will depend on the cause of your cat's pink eye.¹

Some causes of pink eye, like glaucoma or corneal ulcers, need immediate treatment. But a straightforward case may resolve on its own. If the eye is open and otherwise appears normal except for the redness, you can use saline to rinse the eye for a few days to see if it gets better on its own. But if your cat is squinting, which is generally a sign of eye pain, take her to a veterinarian promptly.

If you have any doubt, it's best to get a checkup and not just hope the pink eye gets better. Some untreated cases of pink eye can lead to major complications, including blindness.¹

Veterinary treatment options

For many cases, your veterinarian may at least recommend an anti-inflammatory to reduce swelling and help your cat feel better. Other treatment options might include:³

• Antibiotic, antiviral or antifungal eye drops or ointments

• Oral medicine for severe infections or underlying conditions

• Antihistamines or corticosteroid drops if allergens are suspected
• Hypoallergenic diets for food sensitivities
• Pain management for certain traumatic causes
• Immunosuppressive drugs for relevant underlying diseases⁴
• Artificial tear solutions for extra lubrication if your cat has dry eyes⁴

Home care tips

Most cases will get better in about 10 days with topical treatment, though cases with underlying causes may take longer to resolve.⁴ Your veterinarian may also recommend gently cleaning the eyes with a warm, damp, soft cloth.⁵ If your cat has a contagious case, you'll likely need to isolate them from your other kitties.³

Remember: Never use eye drops or over-the-counter treatments designed for humans, as these can be dangerous to our feline friends.⁵

Preventing Pink Eye in Cats

While not all cases of pink eye can be prevented, you can take proactive steps to help minimize the risk. Even if your cat has allergies or a dormant virus that pops back up now and then, these tips can help you keep your kitty healthier:³

• See your veterinarian regularly for routine checkups.⁴
• Keep your cat's living space clean and allergen-free.
• Frequently clean food and water dishes, litter boxes and bedding.
• Groom your cat regularly to reduce irritants.
• Provide your kitty with a well-balanced, nutritious diet (sometimes a hypoallergenic diet, if triggered by a food allergy).⁴
• A probiotic recommended by your veterinarian may reduce viral flare-ups.⁴
• Lysine supplements recommended by your veterinarian can help immune and respiratory health.⁴
• Try over-the-counter pheromone diffusers to reduce stress and anxiety.⁴
• Get regular vaccinations. Some prevent common causes of pink eye, like the herpesvirus and calicivirus.
• Monitor your kitty for signs of eye issues so they can get treated right away.⁴

Prompt Treatment Is Important for Cat Pink Eye

Pink eye can be uncomfortable and even painful for your cat, so it's important to recognize the symptoms and get veterinary care right away. With proper treatment, you can help your kitty feel better fast and, in some cases, catch an underlying illness before it gets worse. If you're concerned about unexpected veterinarian costs, ask your veterinarian's office for help or explore pet insurance options.

Pets Best Can Help You Keep Your Cat Healthy

Pet insurance is a great way to help you protect your cat from diseases and illnesses, including pink eye. At Pets Best, our cat insurance plans can be customized for your pet's unique needs. In addition, Pets Best policyholders can speak to a veterinary expert anytime through a 24/7 Pet Helpline.

Sources/ Citations

1. "What is conjunctivitis in cats?" Phil Good (3/2023), Beyond Pets Animal Hospital, https://beyondpets.com/pet-health-plus/conjunctivitis-in-cats/

2. "Conjunctivitis in cats," Courtney Barnes et al. (2023), VCA Animal Hospitals, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/conjunctivitis-in-cats

3. "Kitty pink eye!? How to treat your cat's conjunctivitis," (n.d.), Countryside Veterinary Clinic, https://www.countrysideveterinaryclinic.org/services/cats/blog/kitty-pink-eye-how-treat-your-cats-conjunctivitis

4. "Conjunctivitis in cats (cat pink eye)," Laci Schaible (1/2022), PetMD, https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/eyes/c_ct_conjunctivitis

5. "Understanding cat eye discharge: Causes, treatment, and when to worry," (n.d.), Berthoud Animal Hospital, https://berthoudanimalhospital.com/blog/cat-eye-discharge/