My cat has a red eye – what can I use at home to help?

Our question this week was:

Dr. Debra -My cat just started with a red eye. But when I try to take him to the vet he gets crazy. Could I just buy something to put in his eye?

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Juana Lopez

Answer

Hi Juana – thanks for your email. You wrote that your cat has a red eye and you want to know what you can use at home to help.

I’d really recommend that you take your cat to your veterinarian. There is nothing safe to use when you don’t know the underlying cause for the red eye.

The only safe things to use in your cats eye are things that you would use in a normal humans eye. You could try saline made for eyes and try to gently flush the eye (place some drops in the eye) in the case there is something in the eye that easily flushes out.

Some cats will have corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, or glaucoma that may require proper diagnosis and treatment.

An article that might be helpful to you is Red Eye in Cats.

I recommend you take her to your vet as soon as possible.

Best of luck!

Dr. Debra