Why does my cat have an extra eyelid?

As you may know, the cat has an extra eyelid, which can be red just like the eye whites and the area surrounding the ocular globe. Cats suffering from eye irritation will be producing tears in excess.

What happens if your cat has eye irritation?

Eye problems can worsen over time if left untreated, leading to permanent eye lesions or even blindness. The most common symptom of an eye irritation in cats is red eyes. As you may know, the cat has an extra eyelid, which can be red just like the eye whites and the area surrounding the ocular globe.

When to worry about your cat’s third eyelid?

So if we see our cat scratching at their face or rubbing it too frequently, we should look to see if we can observe the third eyelid showing. As a note, if a cat’s inner eyelid is showing in one eye and not the other, it is still a cause for concern.

Why does my cat have one eye closed?

There are many reasons why your cat may squint or hold one eye closed. However, this is usually a general sign that the eye is infected or highly irritated. Both viral and bacterial infections can produce similar symptoms. Sometimes the cause may not be very serious and could be something you can manage at home as you will see below.

Why do cats have problems with their eyelids?

Their eyelids are designed to glide over the cornea (the surface of the eye), with the dual purposes of spreading tear film that keeps the cornea moist and to also sweep away any grit or dust that might irritate the eye. However, some cats may have problems with their eyelids.

So if we see our cat scratching at their face or rubbing it too frequently, we should look to see if we can observe the third eyelid showing. As a note, if a cat’s inner eyelid is showing in one eye and not the other, it is still a cause for concern.

What causes a cat to squint one eye?

Injuries and infections can make your cat squint one eye or keep it half closed. Sometimes, the feline will shut or rub the eye to protect it and relieve pain. The basic cause of eye squinting in cats is inflammation. It can result in signs such as watery eyes, discharge, redness, rubbing, blinking excessively, and a showing third eyelid.

How can you tell if your cat’s eye is irritated?

The most common sign that your cat’s eyes are irritated is redness. Additionally, he may blink or squint excessively, hold his eye closed, rub or paw at his eye, and his eye might tear a lot. There may also be some mucus or pus-like discharge around your cat’s eye(s).