Cat has teary eye from time to time

[Babypinkweeb]

My cat Boogie has always teared up in his left eye only from time to time his entire life (11 years). It doesn't cause any abnormal discharge. He doesn't fuss the eye with his paws at all. Other than that eye being watery and teary there is no other signs different from normal.

I've brought this up with many vets throughout his life and they all say it's probably nothing as he has never shown any issues during exams. It's not that often either, happening maybe once or twice a month but not at any consistent intervals. Not sure if it's something that I should look into more?

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. I have no expertise in this area, but it seems to me that if this has been going on all his life - and, never has amounted to anything - it is 'what it is'. As long as it doesn't coincide with other health type issues, it is some kind of 'Boogie fluke' . There are cats who have feline herpes that can cause random flare ups, but most result in more than just a clear teary eye. I would just wipe away the tearing as you find it, even if he doesn't seem to be bothered by it.

It could also be as simple as having to do with cleaning routines in your home, vacuuming/clearing out/cleaning the litter box, dusting, etc. And, his one eye happens to be sensitive to those activities.

You could always consider consulting a specialty group that has ophthalmology specialists if you really think you should pursue it.

 

[Babypinkweeb]

Hi. I have no expertise in this area, but it seems to me that if this has been going on all his life - and, never has amounted to anything - it is 'what it is'. As long as it doesn't coincide with other health type issues, it is some kind of 'Boogie fluke' . There are cats who have feline herpes that can cause random flare ups, but most result in more than just a clear teary eye. I would just wipe away the tearing as you find it, even if he doesn't seem to be bothered by it.

It could also be as simple as having to do with cleaning routines in your home, vacuuming/clearing out/cleaning the litter box, dusting, etc. And, his one eye happens to be sensitive to those activities.

You could always consider consulting a specialty group that has ophthalmology specialists if you really think you should pursue it.

Yes I've basically lived with the mindset that it's just a little harmless health quirk he has, but thought I'd ask anyway since it happened today I usually wipe his tears and he doesn't care either way.

I haven't thought cleaning would affect it, since I clean randomly and at least once a week but his tears happen less often than that by a lot, but I'll keep a note of that!

 

[crystal dawn]

Yes note what products you use when and when his eye becomes teary.

 

[fionasmom]

Fiona had this for her entire life of 16 or so years. When I found her as a tiny kitten, she had a watery eye, never a discharge or infection but inclined to water and tear. The vet treated it and it got better, but always returned in some form. I kept it clean for her and it never affected anything about her life. I always watched the skin under the eye though to make sure that it was not irritated from continual dampness when this appeared.