What Kind Of Eye Drops Are Safe For Cats
Eye drops for cats are not as common as you might think. However, if your cat has an eye infection, there are eye drops that can help the condition. But what kind of eye drops should you use? And how often should they be applied? In this article, we will discuss some safe ways to administer eye drops in cats.
Eye drops: the good, the bad and the ugly
Eye drops are a common treatment for many eye conditions, but they’re not without their risks. Here’s everything you need to know about using eye drops on your cat:
- Eye drops can be used to treat infections, dry eyes, conjunctivitis and glaucoma.
- Eye infections are usually caused by bacteria or viruses that affect the surface of the eye (the conjunctiva). While they’re not life-threatening, they can cause a lot of pain and discomfort for your cat. Because these infections are often bacterial in nature (causing redness), an antibiotic ointment is usually prescribed by veterinarians as part of treatment for chronic cases. If you notice excessive tearing or discharge from one or both eyes with no other symptoms present such as fever or lethargy then it may be wise to have your pet examined by a vet so that appropriate medication can be given if needed.
- Dry eye syndrome occurs when there’s insufficient moisture inside the eyeball which causes inflammation due to inadequate tear production from glands located around its exterior surface called lacrimal glands; this condition affects dogs mostly although some breeds like Siberian Huskies seem more susceptible than others do breed types generally.”
How to safely apply eye drops
To apply eye drops in the safest and most convenient way, you should:
- Hold your cat face down in front of you.
- Open one of your cat’s eyes and place a drop into the inner corner of the eye. (If you’re using a dropper bottle, squeeze out some drops onto a cotton swab instead.) The pressure from gravity will help pull the medication down towards your cat’s nose. Avoid applying any liquid directly to the eyeball itself; instead, try putting it on the inner eyelid or lower eyelid if possible.
- Use a cotton swab (or another type of applicator tool) to apply eye ointments directly to affected areas around eyes or nose
Eye drop ingredients to avoid
- Eye drops containing corticosteroids may cause glaucoma, cataracts and corneal ulcers.
- Atropine is an anticholinergic drug that can cause blurred vision and dilated pupils, and it should not be used with narrow-angle glaucoma or conditions that can increase the risk of developing narrow-angle glaucoma.
- Phenylephrine is a vasoconstrictor that could lead to increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in cats with open angles glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
- Belladonna is toxic to cats and should never be administered orally or applied topically as this can result in serious side effects such as coma, seizures and death.
The safest eye drops for cats
The safest eye drops for cats include:
- Sodium Chloride (salt)
- Sodium Bicarbonate ( baking soda)
- Sodium Lactate
- Sodium Acetate
- Sodium Citrate
- Sodium Phosphate
- Sodium Sulfate
- Sodium Borate
Eye drops should only be used occasionally on cats, and it’s best to have your vet prescribe a safe product.
Eye drops should only be used occasionally on cats, and it’s best to have your vet prescribe a safe product.
Eye drops can be used to treat a number of eye conditions in cats. Eye drops can be used to treat conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the thin membrane that lines the eyelids and covers most of the interior surface of your cat’s eyes). Your vet may prescribe eye drops for your cat if he has an eye infection or inflammation. While this is not always necessary, some cats do require them in order to get better.
Eye drops can help cats that have eye problems, but they should only be used on a case-by-case basis and with your vet’s approval. Eye drops are not meant to be used routinely, and they may cause more harm than good if used incorrectly. If your cat has a serious eye condition, it’s best to bring them in for an exam so the doctor can prescribe an appropriate treatment plan.
