How to Give a Cat Eye Drops and Ointment, Plus Signs of Eye Trouble

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

Eye problems in cats can escalate quickly, and many need medication given at home. Eye drops and ointments are not fun for either of you, but with calm technique they get easier. This guide covers how to give them safely and when an eye needs urgent attention.

Signs of eye trouble

Call your vet if you see:

• Squinting or holding an eye closed
• Redness
• Watery or colored discharge, green, yellow or bloody
• Cloudiness or a change in eye color
• A third eyelid covering part of the eye
• Pawing or rubbing the eye
• Sensitivity to light
• Swelling
• One eye looking different from the other
• A visible injury

Eye problems such as ulcers, glaucoma and uveitis can cause pain and permanent vision loss within hours or days. See the emergency warning signs guide. See also what does a cat slow blink mean to tell a friendly blink from a squint. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic.

Common causes

• Upper respiratory infections, often with sneezing and discharge. See upper respiratory infections in cats.
• Conjunctivitis
• Corneal ulcers, from scratches or herpesvirus
• Foreign bodies
• Allergies
• Glaucoma and uveitis
• Blocked tear ducts, common in flat-faced breeds such as the Persian

Before you start

• Get clear instructions on drug, dose and frequency from your vet.
• Wash your hands.
• Gently wipe away crust or discharge with a damp cotton ball or gauze, using a fresh piece for each eye.
• Keep medication at the right temperature.
• Prepare treats.
• Do not use human products or old medication.

Giving eye drops

1. Position the cat. Hold it in your lap, or place it on a table with its back against your body. Wrap in a towel if it struggles. See how to pick up and hold a cat.
2. Steady the head. Rest your hand on the cat's head and tilt the nose slightly upward, using one hand under the chin.
3. Hold the bottle in the other hand, with the tip a few centimeters above the eye, resting your hand on the cat's forehead to keep still.
4. Pull down the lower lid gently with a finger, creating a small pocket.
5. Squeeze in the number of drops prescribed, aiming at the pocket or the inner corner of the eye. Do not touch the bottle to the eye.
6. Let the cat blink, and gently close the lid for a moment to spread the medication.
7. Wipe any excess and reward the cat.

Giving eye ointment

1. Follow steps 1 to 4 above.
2. Squeeze a small ribbon of ointment, about a quarter inch, along the inside of the lower lid, without touching the tip to the eye.
3. Gently close the eyelids and massage them for a few seconds to spread it.
4. Wipe away the excess, and reward the cat.

If you need two medications, wait a few minutes between them, as directed. Give drops first, then ointment.

Tips for stubborn cats

• Practice with a harmless saline wash or just handling the face.
• Use a towel burrito.
• Ask a helper to hold the cat.
• Give treats after each dose.
• Stay calm and quick.
• Ask your vet about alternatives, such as long-lasting forms. See how to give a cat a pill for related tips.

Hygiene and safety

• Wash hands before and after, since some eye infections spread between cats or to people.
• Keep bottles clean and capped.
• Use separate cotton for each eye.
• Isolate cats with contagious infections from others until treated.
• Follow the full course, even if the eye looks better.

If something goes wrong

If the cat's eye looks worse, or you see swelling, severe redness, cloudiness or squinting that worsens, call your vet at once. Do not wait. Missed doses can be resumed at the next time, but do not double.

Keeping a record

Write down each dose, with the time, and any change in the eye. Take photos every day to compare redness, discharge and squinting. Show them to your vet at recheck visits. If the eye is not improving in a few days, or if it is worse, call before the next scheduled visit.

Preventing reinfection

Wash bedding, bowls and toys if the infection is contagious. Keep other cats apart if advised. Wipe the eyes with clean, damp cotton daily. Make sure vaccines are up to date, since viral infections can flare up with stress. See the cat vaccination schedule.

Choosing the right time

Give drops when your cat is calm, such as after a meal or a play session, not in the middle of the night. A tired cat is easier to handle. Keep the routine at fixed times, and place the medication where you will remember it. If two people share the job, agree who does which dose to avoid double-dosing.

Costs

Eye problems can require tests and treatment. See cat vet visit costs.