Kitten Eye Problems

Kittens and cats rock big, beautiful and bright eyes, all the better for demanding pets and treats with. Although cats rely more on their other senses, including hearing and smell, it’s still important to care for their eye health. Learn more about eye problems in kittens, including what to look out for.

When do kittens open their eyes?

Like puppies, kittens are born with their eyes closed. They should open when they’re between 10 and 12 days old. To begin with, kittens have somewhat blurry vision. They also tend to be long-sighted. This is when objects far away are clear but nearer objects are blurry. This isn’t normally a problem for cats as they’re so sensitive to motion. Over the first few weeks, a kitten’s vision will slowly improve.

Kitten eye problems 1: before their eyes open

Even before your kitten opens their eyes, they can develop eye problems. This is normally an eye infection. Symptoms of an eye infection include a bulge in one or both of the eyes or pus or discharge leaking from their eyes. A quick trip to the vet who will gently clean their eyes and apply medication will clear this up.

Eye infections in newborn kittens tend to be caused by inherited infections, including feline herpes virus and chlamydia. Getting early vet treatment usually means your kitten will go on to have normal vision and no lasting problems.

Kitten eye problems 2: after their eyes open

There are a range of signs to watch out for that might suggest your kitten has an eye problem. If you spot any of these, take your kitten to the vet.

Signs to watch for include:

• • • Discharge. Discharge can range from clear to pus-like. Your kitten might also squint or hold their eye closed. You might also see their third eyelid come up and cover their eyeball. Normally this eyelid is tucked into the corner of their eye, near their nose. Discharge can be a sign of many things, including infection, eyelashes that grow into the eye, rather than out, and eyelids that roll in or roll out.
    • Swollen, reddish eyes. This can be a symptom of conjunctivitis - an inflammation of the soft tissues that go from the eyelid to the eyeball. Other symptoms include discharge and squinting.
    • Avoiding bright light. This, along with squinting or closing their eye, can be a sign of an injury to their cornea (the clear lens at the front of the eye). Corneal injuries are common in kittens and are usually caused by play fighting, getting scratched by a branch or even dust blowing into their eyes. Catching these injuries early and getting prompt vet treatment usually means they heal well with no lasting vision damage.
    • A missing or very tiny eye (microphthalmia). Although there’s no cure or treatment for a missing or unseeing eye, cats with vision loss can lead long, full, happy lives, especially as they rely more on their sense of hearing and smell.
    • Dilated pupils. This can be a sign of an inherited eye disorder that causes the rod and cone cells in the retina (back of the eye) to not form properly. These cells help with vision during the day and night and are needed for full, healthy vision. Normally kittens born with dilated pupils will be blind by the time they’re 8 weeks old.
    • Cataracts or clouding of the lens of the eye. Cataracts are quite unusual in kittens but can happen. Sometimes surgery is needed to correct them.

Eye problems in kittens can quickly go from mild to serious. It’s worth watching out for signs your kitten has an eye problem. If you spot any, take them to the vet.

If you need any further help or have a question we haven’t answered, contact our friendly Pet Direct Customer Care team on 0800 200 240 or email support@petdirect.co.nz 

Shop eye care