Manage Cat Tear Stains: Prevention and Natural Treatment Options

Why does my cat have tear-stained eyes? Cat tear stains, also known as Epiphora, are Normally the path of tear drainage: tears pass through the nasolacrimal duct into the nasal cavity and eventually exit the body through the respiratory tract. But one day, you notice that your cat constantly discharges from the corners of his eyes, indicating that your cat has some health problems.

Epiphora is very common in cats and is characterized by tear overflow. This condition must be taken extra seriously if it happens to your cat. So, Hsviko will discuss how to prevent and alleviate cat tear stains in this post.

What are Cat Tear Stains?

Cat tear stains are usually caused by an overproduction of tears in the cat’s eyes, which creates a darker-coloured and moist tear trough around the cat’s eyes. Many diseases can cause cats to have increased tear production and form tear tracks.

Cats with tear stains usually blink frequently and typically wake up in the morning with a sticky mess around their eyes. Many cat owners report that their cat’s face is always wet, and they may even see tears rolling down it.

Understanding the Causes of Tear Stains in Cats

Cats don’t express their feelings through tears like humans do, and if your cat is tearing up a lot, it’s usually for physical or health reasons rather than a way of expressing emotion.

Getting dust or other foreign objects in the eyes may cause your cat to shed tears. A blocked tear duct, eye infection, or other reasons may cause it. If your cat has frequent tearing, you need to look for other symptoms, such as red eyes and increased discharge, and consult your veterinarian for an examination.

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How do you prevent your cat from developing tear stains?

Tear stains in cats not only affect the aesthetics of cats but also cause skin irritation, discomfort to pets and even pungent odour. Therefore, it is essential to prevent tear stains in cats. Preventing cat tear stains requires daily care, dietary management, environmental control and regular health checks.

Hsviko has developed a supplement specifically for cats with tear stains – Tear Stain Supplement for Dogs and Cats, which provides vitamins and minerals while removing tear stains.
In addition to feeding your cat tear stain removal supplements, it is also essential to take your cat to the veterinarian for regular eye exams so that any potential problems, such as fallen eyelashes, eye infections, or other illnesses, can be detected and treated early.

Keep the area around the eyes clean.

Daily cleaning is one of the critical steps in preventing tear stains. Use eye wipes designed for pets or warm water to gently wipe the area around your cat’s eyes to prevent tears from building up and causing stains. Ensure you use gentle, non-irritating cleaning products and avoid using human cosmetics or cleaning products.

Dietary and Nutritional Support

Dietary antioxidants and vitamins are essential to support your cat’s eye health. Foods containing taurine (taurine) support eye development and health. In addition, appropriate eye health supplements (e.g., Hsviko Tear Stain Supplement for Cats, Emulsified Fish Oil for Cats, and Krill Oil for Cats) can help reduce eye inflammation, reducing tear overproduction.

Adjusting the environment

Keep the air in your home fresh, and use an air purifier to reduce airborne dust and irritants such as pollen, which can trigger eye allergies and increased cat tearing. Avoid smoke and strong chemical odours, such as cigarette smoke and the smell of specific cleaning agents, which can irritate your cat’s eyes.

Trim facial hair regularly

Trimming your cat’s facial hair can help prevent hair from irritating the eyes or blocking the normal flow of tears, which is especially important for long-haired cat breeds such as Persians and Himalayans. Regular hair trimming around the eyes will help keep the area clean.

Choosing the right water source

Using filtered water for your cat can help reduce tear problems caused by minerals in the water. Some cats are more sensitive to minerals in tap water that can cause eye problems, so providing clean, filtered water can reduce this risk.

Regular vet visits

Regularly taking your cat to the vet is a long-term solution to preventing tear stains. The vet can check for eye conditions such as blocked tear ducts, conjunctivitis, allergies, etc. If the problem is more serious, the vet may recommend surgery or specialized medical care.

Avoid excessive stress and pressure

Stress and tension may exacerbate health problems in cats, including excessive tearing. Providing a quiet, comfortable living environment and avoiding drastic changes (e.g., frequent moves or changes in the environment) can help maintain your cat’s overall health and emotional stability.

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How do I get rid of my cat’s tear stains?

A cat with tear stains not only affects aesthetics but is a direct feedback of your cat’s physical condition. Tear stains are often associated with eye diseases. Longstanding tear stains are prone to harbouring bacteria, leading to a skin infection around the cat’s eyes and symptoms such as redness, swelling, itching, hair loss, etc. The following points are summarized on how to treat tear stains in cats:

Routine cleaning

Regular cleaning: use a mild pet eye cleaning solution or a soft cloth moistened with warm water to gently wipe your cat’s eyes, especially the areas with more tear stains. This can help remove built-up secretions and reduce irritation. Also, keep the fur around the eyes clean and dry: trim the fur around the eyes regularly to prevent hair irritation and keep the eyes dry.

Specialized treatment

For longstanding cases, your veterinarian may prescribe medication or recommend surgical treatment to correct anatomical problems or relieve blockages. Products such as Hsviko’s Tear Stain Supplement for Cats and Taurine for Cats can also support the eye’s overall health and reduce tear staining by improving the quality of the tears.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery may be necessary for specific anatomical abnormalities that cause tear staining, such as blocked tear ducts or eyelid problems. Surgery can correct anatomical problems and help tears drain properly.

My experience with removal

Like you, I am a cat owner. I have a Ragdoll named “Tiger”, and some time ago, I noticed that he had tear stains under his eyes. I trimmed his hair and cleaned his eyes daily with pet wipes to remove the tear stains. At the same time, I fed him half a bag (1.5g) of our company’s Taurine Powder for Cats and one tablet of Tear Stain Supplement for Cats every day.

After a week, I found that his tear stains had been removed; however, I did not stop supplementing him with some taurine. Taurine is essential for cats, but it cannot be produced independently. How to get it? Only through food are cats prone to problems when their cat food is deficient in taurine or does not contain enough taurine.

The Best Way to Clean Up Your Cat’s Tear Stains

When your cat has developed tear stains, assist in feeding tear stain removal tablets while wetting a cotton ball or soft cloth with warm water to wipe the dirt around your cat’s eyes gently, or you can use a pet-specific cleanser, but choose one that is gentle and non-irritating.

Note: Do not use soap or anything else that is irritating. To let the area around the eyes dry after wiping, you can gently pat it dry. It’s best to clean it every day or every other day to keep it clean.

Adjusting your cat’s diet can help, such as switching to high-quality cat food. If the tear stains are severe or there are eye problems, take your cat to the vet. Be gentle throughout the process and move gently to make your cat comfortable.

Conclusion

Effective control of cat tear stains requires understanding the underlying causes and a comprehensive care strategy that includes medication and daily maintenance. With the right approach and the support of products like Hsviko Nutritional Supplements, you can ensure that your cat not only looks better but also enjoys a better quality of life.