Have you noticed that your kitty has been sneezing, gagging, coughing, or rubbing its eyes? Cats, like us humans, can have these symptoms for several different reasons. Although cats rarely share human-like illnesses, you may be wondering if your feline friend has contracted a cold, but it could also be something else entirely.
Could it be a blocked tear duct?
Cats use their tear ducts as a way to keep their eyes moist and to combat dirt, dust, and other foreign items from getting into them. Cat’s tears do not run down their face like us humans, instead, the tears are shed through little ducts from the eyes to the nose.
If your cat’s tear ducts end up becoming blocked, it can lead to the tears in your cat’s eyes running down their face. If you notice this, it is recommended to take them to your veterinarian to see what the issue is.
Could it be allergies?
Cats with allergies can have extensive watering in the eyes, just like humans. They can also have a runny nose or coughing, along with sneezing and other normal allergy symptoms. Some cats may also end up having rashes, itchiness or may even have upset digestion. Cat’s allergies can come from many different places, such as fleas, food, or environmental substances, such as faux fur, trees or plants, and indoor flowers among some things. They could even be having multiple different reactions to different substances all at once.
Could it be a respiratory infection?
Extra watery eyes could be an indication of an infection of the upper respiratory of your kitty. These can be compared to a cold for us humans and is highly contagious to other cats. Other than the watery eyes, most people notice these other symptoms in their cats that signify a URI:
- Congestion
- Cough
- Decreased appetite
- Depression
- Drooling
- Eye discharge (clear to slight tint)
- Fever
- Gagging
- Hoarse meow
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Nasal ulcers
- Oral ulcers
- Rubbing or squinting their eyes
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
Most URIs can be managed at home, yet if you notice your cat’s symptoms are worsening at all, immediately call your Tysons Corner, VA veterinarian at 703-356-5000 or the after-hours emergency veterinarian at The Hope Center at (703) 281-5121