As a loving cat owner, you want your feline friend to
be as healthy as possible, and a big part of that means taking care of
her eyes. You should frequently inspect your cat’s eyes, and if you
notice any changes or problems, seek prompt medical care, before your
cat’s health is impacted. There are many things that you can do for
your cat on a regular basis that can help keep her eyes healthy, but
are you willing to invest the time to do them?
One of the easiest
things that you can do for your cat is to keep her eyes clean and free
of mucous, which could build up and turn into a raging eye infection.
Use a damp cloth and gently wipe her eyes at least once a day or
whenever you notice mucous. This small step goes a long way in caring
for your cat’s eyes.
You should also protect your cat’s eyes
anytime that you need to use chemical treatments on her skin, such as
flea dips. Talk to your veterinarian before treatment, and ask him for
suggestions on how to protect your cat’s eyes from the chemicals. He
will likely give you a neutralizing ointment, which you will apply to
your cat’s eyes before using the chemicals, and will neutralize any
chemicals that may inadvertently come into contact with her eyes.
If
your cat has long hair, you should keep in trimmed so that it stays out
of her eyes. Anything that comes into contact with the eyes can cause
irritation, and even lead to infection, so this is an important step in
your cat’s eye care.
When you look at your cat’s eyes, they
should be moist and clear, as well as free of mucous. Anything to the
contrary could indicate a problem that may need veterinary treatment.
Although
your cat won’t enjoy it, you should clean her eyes at least once a
week, even if you wash then with a cloth and water everyday, they still
need to be cleaned. You can ask your veterinarian for tips on doing
this, and he may suggest a commercial product that you can use, or you
can make your own. To make your own cat eye cleaning solution, mix
about 1 capful of baby shampoo with about 20 capfuls of water. Dip a
cotton ball or Q-tip into the solution, and use it to clean your cat’s
eyes, starting with the eyeball and working outward. Once you have
finished, use another cotton ball with just water and rinse the eyes in
the same manner.
If your cat develops an eye infection, your
veterinarian will likely prescribe antibiotic medication, which you
apply directly to her eye in the form of eye drops. Again, your cat
will not like this treatment, but it is for her own good, and something
that you must do if you want her to be healthy. Eye ointments are much
easier to use, however if you apply too much at once, you could worsen
the problem, so you have to be careful.
Few people realize how
important it is to take care of their cat’s eyes, and often don’t even
think about it until a problem develops. By properly performing cat eye
care, and seeking veterinary care for any problems promptly, you are
ensuring that your cat stays healthy and happy, so that she can be with
you for a long time to come!
