Kittens are notorious for getting an eye infection in the weeks to follow their birth. A kitten eye infection is common and because of that, you can find a handful of home remedies to try. Cats and kittens are curious by nature, they put their nose into the area to sniff around and that exposes their whole face. If your new kitten has some goop in their eye, no scratches can be seen, it is probably a common kitten eye infection. But it may be safest to take your kitten to the vet to rule out any other underlying health issues.
We actually had a litter of kittens that had feline leukemia and the first symptom we saw was their eyes watering. Other than that they looked pretty healthy, but after taking them to the vet and getting checked we got the diagnosis and did lose the kittens. So for me I always say go with your gut, and if you feel it could be more take your kitten to the vet. One of the last litters our cat Sassy had, anytime I would go outside she would bring her kitten to me and lay it by my feet. Her kitten was only a few weeks old so I knew she was trying to ask me for help. It was a very sad ordeal.
Symptoms Of A Kitten Eye Infection
- Watery or discharge of the eye. Green, yellow, or even clear discharge.
- Squinting a lot.
- Swollen eye or even marred shut with crusty eye discharge.
- Blinking more often than normal.
- Not closing the eye as often as the other eye.
Viral or Bacterial Infection
Viral and bacterial are the two most common kitten eye infection. Taking your kitten in to be seen at the vet is the safest option so they can rule out options like feline leukemia or other illnesses that could be life-threatening.
How To Treat Kitten Eye Infections At Home
Now there are other home remedies like using saline eye drops, but I don’t recommend that as all eye drops have different strengths and some can be harmful to your kitten or cat.
Milk Treatment
Adding a drop or two of room temperature milk to your cat or kitten’s eye can help soothe and clear up an infection. You can do this two times a day, just try to clean the eye up before you add drops.
Warm Compress
Grab a washcloth or towel and run under warm water. Squeeze out all the water you can then gently wipe your kitten’s eye or eyes. Use different rags for each eye if they both have discharge, so you don’t pass over any germs or bacteria. You can do this several times a day to try and keep the eye clean from water or drainage.
Green Tea
Brew a cup of green tea as you normally would. Once it cools grab an eye dropper or even a washcloth and get a little of tea on a rag or in your dropper. Add a few drops to your kitten’s eye and wipe around and across your kitten’s eye. You can do this treatment a few times a day.
Apple Cider Vinegar
This one does sound odd but many cat owners have sworn by this method. You take a dab of apple cider vinegar to a cotton ball and apply to your kitten’s neck. Do this once to twice a day. It is supposed to clear up their eyes.
Vet Check
If you try all of these home remedies and none work it is best to head to the vet to be seen. They have salves and ointments that can help. Plus if your cat has a bacterial infection they need antibiotics to get over it.
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