Some breeds of cats are more prone than others to obstruction of the tear ducts, which results in poor flow of tear secretions, and consequently certain health problems. But in all cats, it is preferable to clean the eyes regularly to limit the risks of bacterial proliferation. This one can in the long run lead to various pathologies. Let's discover how to clean the eyes of your cat and why.

Choosing the right products for your cat's eyes
It is recommended that all cat owners check with their veterinarian beforehand to find out which products are best for their cat's eyes. They must be adapted to this sensitive and fragile area. There is no risk in using saline solution to clean your cat's eyes. Eye drops should only be used if they have been specifically prescribed by the practitioner.
Alcohol-based lotions should be avoided. If you use a product that is not suitable for the eyes, you increase the resistance of bacteria. The cat is then much more exposed to the risks of allergies, some of which are important.
Tear secretions: the case of Persian cats
Brachycephalic breeds of cats, i.e. those with a wide face and a short, crushed nose, such as Persian cats, are particularly prone to the accumulation of tear secretions. If the eyes are not thoroughly cleaned, the discharge will eventually form dark streaks from the corner of the eyes to the wings of the nose.
The excess secretions dry up and crusts form. They represent then nests of bacteria. Once these are well established, they contaminate the animal which can develop
- A respiratory disease,
- Repeated conjunctivitis.
But Persians are not the only ones who are sometimes subject to lacrimal secretions and other eye problems. The slightest dust can be enough to irritate the mucous membrane of the eyelids. The small feline then presents a more or less red eye that cries incessantly, which shows an ocular inflammation. In addition to a good eye cleaning, it is usually necessary to administer an eye drop, but only if the veterinarian has recommended it.
How to clean your cat's eyes
If the cat is particularly docile and allows itself to be pawed without flinching, the task should pose no difficulty. On the other hand, when the little kitty can't stand to have its eyes touched, it's best to be patient and to do it as well as possible so as not to frighten it, not to irritate it either, and to protect yourself against the risk of scratches and/or bites.
We start by preparing a sterile gauze for each eye or two good quality make-up removal discs that do not lint. This is highly preferable to absorbent cotton, which inevitably leaves a residue of fibers in its wake. As for the cotton swab, it is to be proscribed because the risks of wounding the cat in the eye are too numerous with this type of accessory.
It does not remain any more but to soak the gauze or the disc to remove make-up with the physiological salt solution then, by maintaining firmly the head of the cat sufficiently raised, to carefully plug an eye after the other by taking care that the eyelids are lowered. Don't worry, however, if the cat keeps its eyes wide open: saline is a non-irritating, non-stinging product, and its safety is widely recognized.
At the end of this session, it is necessary to take care to dry well the eyes of the cat with a small clean and not fluffy fabric.
It may be necessary to get help from a third person if the cat struggles. In this case, not too many people are needed to hold the cat's head and all four legs.
In order to facilitate this care, it is important that the owners accustom their kittens to this type of handling very early. They will not try to rebel later on. As a result, cleaning the eyes, nose and ears will be done easily (and confidently too), without stress and in a minimum of time.