How to Clean Cat Eyes: A Simple At-Home Cleaning Routine

Cats’ eyes need a little everyday care too. When learning how to clean cat eyes, it’s helpful to know that it’s not unusual to see a small amount of discharge in the corners of their eyes, especially after they wake up. Sometimes there may be some dried-up gunk there, kind of like the eye boogers we get in the morning.

Sometimes, tears can also slowly turn the fur around a cat’s eyes reddish-brown. This is usually related to pigment in the tears, so it can look a little like the eye is bleeding, but it actually isn’t blood.

Today, I want to share how to clean cat’s eyes at home and what works for me. I hope this is helpful for other cat owners too.

1. Why Do I Clean My Cat’s Eyes?

● Cats are pretty good at cleaning their own faces, but flat-faced breeds tend to have shorter tear ducts, and some cats simply produce more tears. Because of this, discharge can easily build up around the corners of their eyes.

● When discharge stays on the fur around the eyes for a while, it can make the area look dirty and may also leave more noticeable tear stains.

● Cleaning my cat’s eyes regularly also gives me a chance to check how her eyes look and notice if anything seems different from usual.

Like any other morning, when it’s time to get up, my cat Nuonuo usually comes over to nudge me awake. Of course, I’ll happily pick her up, but when I notice that she has some eye discharge in the corners just like I sometimes do in the morning, I have to admit—it doesn’t look very pretty, haha. A cute cat deserves to stay nice and clean, so I’ve gotten into the habit of giving Nuonuo’s eye area a quick clean when needed.

2. What Do I Need to Clean My Cat’s Eyes?

Clean cotton pads;

A soft, dry towel;

Cat eye cleaning wipes;

Small treats for rewards;

A comfortable, quiet environment, etc.

3. How to Clean Cat Eyes at Home?

① Choose a time when your cat is relaxed

Pick a time when your cat is calm. You can let your cat sit comfortably in your arms or on your lap—whatever position she usually likes best. Keep the environment quiet and don’t rush to touch her eyes as soon as you start.

② Let your cat get used to having her face touched first

Before I actually start cleaning, I gently pet my cat’s head, cheeks, and the area around her eyes so she can get used to my hands.

With my cat Nuonuo, if she’s in a good mood that day, I’ll sometimes give her a quick brushing first. She actually enjoys being brushed, so once she relaxes, the rest of the cleaning usually goes much more smoothly.

If my cat clearly wants to move away, I’ll pause and give her a little time to relax before continuing instead of holding her down and not letting her move.

③ Get the cat eye cleaning wipes ready

Once your cat is relaxed, take out the cleaning supplies you prepared.

If there’s only a little discharge or dirt around the eyes, I usually just use cat eye cleaning wipes.

Before using them, make sure to follow the product’s instructions and check that the wipes are specifically suitable for cats.

④ Check the eye area before you start cleaning

Before wiping, I take a quick look at the area around my cat’s eyes.

If there’s only a little dried discharge in the corner of the eye or some surface dirt on the fur, I usually let it soften first instead of trying to wipe it off right away. VCA Animal Hospitals also recommends keeping the area around the eyes clean and removing accumulated discharge.

If the discharge is quite dry, you can gently hold a damp cotton pad against it for a little while to help soften it.

⑤ Gently clean around the eye from the inner corner to the outer corner

Next, I gently wipe from the inner corner toward the outer corner, following the edge of the eye. I mainly clean the corner of the eye and the fur around it, rather than rubbing directly on the eyeball just to get everything perfectly clean.

If there is some dried discharge in the corner, I soften it first and then gently wipe it away with the cat eye cleaning wipes I prepared instead of rubbing it off forcefully.

❤ A little reminder:

Try not to wipe too hard or keep rubbing the same spot over and over just to remove a tiny bit of leftover dirt.

⑥ Use a clean area when cleaning the other eye

After cleaning one eye, I’ll use a fresh wipe or a clean section of the wipe, depending on the product instructions, before cleaning the other side.

For me, this also makes things easier and helps prevent the dirt I just wiped away from being transferred to the other eye.

⑦ Gently tidy the area around the eyes after cleaning

Once both sides are clean, I’ll take another quick look around my cat’s eyes.

If the fur is still a little damp, I’ll gently pat it with a soft, dry towel to keep the area around her eyes dry and comfortable.

⑧ Give your cat a little reward at the end

Once the cleaning is finished, I usually give Nuonuo a small treat that she likes.

I’ve found that doing this has gradually made her more comfortable with the whole process. As long as I keep the session short and don’t force her to stay still, she’s usually much more willing to cooperate than she used to be.

4. My Tips for Cleaning My Cat’s Eye Area

Be gentle when wiping your cat’s eyes;

Avoid rubbing the same spot repeatedly. If a small bit of dirt doesn’t come off right away, I usually moisten it a little more and give it some time to soften before trying again;

If my cat’s eyes look noticeably abnormal, or if the problem continues or gets worse, I wouldn’t simply clean more often to deal with it. I would consider consulting a veterinarian.

5. FAQ

How Often Should I Clean My Cat’s Eyes?

You don’t need to clean your cat’s eyes every day. How often you clean them can depend on the condition of the area around your cat’s eyes.

I don’t usually set a specific schedule for cleaning. Instead, I’ll take a quick look when I’m brushing my cat or petting her face. If I notice some dirt or discharge in the corner of her eye, I’ll simply give it a gentle clean.

Can You Use Wipes to Clean a Cat’s Eyes?

Yes. Just make sure to choose eye cleaning wipes that are suitable for cats and follow the product instructions. Be gentle when wiping and cleaning the area.

What Should I Do If My Cat’s Eyes Always Have Discharge?

If there’s only a small amount of discharge from time to time, you can gently clean around the eyes first. But if your cat’s eyes consistently have a lot of discharge, or if you also notice redness, swelling, frequent squinting, or your cat keeping the eye closed, don’t keep wiping repeatedly. It’s best to have your cat checked by a veterinarian.

Can I Use Baby Wipes to Clean My Cat’s Eyes?

It’s best not to use baby wipes to clean your cat’s eyes. Baby wipes are mainly designed for human use and may not be suitable for the sensitive area around a cat’s eyes. Instead, I’d prefer to choose a cleaning product specifically labeled for use around cats’ eyes and follow the product instructions.