Like humans, cats can be sad from loneliness, stress, pain, hunger or thirst, and lack of attention. While we produce tears when we cry, cats do not. We don’t always cry when upset; that type of sadness is similar to what cats experience, but they do not have complex emotions like humans. That is a surprise since cats seem to know how to be clingy, happy, pouting, sad, or angry. They experience feelings that are not as intricate as our human emotions.
Why Cats Appear To Be Crying
An irritated eye can cause eye-watering. Sometimes, throat or respiratory issues can cause a cat or human to produce tears. You might see your cat appear to be crying for many other reasons. Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons.
Viral Irritation
Cats are prone to catching certain viruses before they are vaccinated, and sometimes, this may even happen after vaccination. It is absolutely crucial that you get your cat vaccinated for all of the viruses discussed below. They now have a Feline Leukemia vaccine, as well. Unfortunately, there isn’t a vaccine for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.
By keeping your cat indoors, you cut out the chances of your cat catching many viruses. Fighting with deep bite wounds is how a cat catches FIV. If you adopt a cat from a rescue or shelter, ask about vaccines and if the cat has any lifelong illnesses. Cats in large, untested, unvaccinated groups in shelters and rescues have a bigger chance of catching these viruses. Many are not a death sentence and can easily be managed. Here are some of the most common viruses that can cause eye discomfort and watering in your cat.
Chlamydial Conjunctivitis
This is a very common condition caused by the virus Chlamydophila felis. If left untreated, it can become severe, and the cat could lose its sight or an eye if it ruptures from your cat rubbing and scratching it. The typical symptoms are red, swollen, painful, watery eyes that crust over at times. The typical four-way vaccine your cat receives can protect against this virus.
Feline Herpesvirus
This is probably the most common virus affecting cats. It is a lifelong virus that flares for a while, then calms down and returns to normal. Stress, illness, and weather changes can contribute to the flares. Feline herpes is the most common cause of conjunctivitis in cats. The infection does require eye ointment but is gone after approximately two weeks.
Conjunctivitis
Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea, which covers the eye’s clear surface layer. It is caused by trauma to the eye, infection, viruses, and exposure to irritants. Keratitis can make the cat’s eye sometimes appear cloudy or opaque. Initially, there will be redness, and your cat may squint or close its eye entirely because of its sensitivity to light. There is discharge, which can be painful when it crusts the eyelids shut.
Getting your cat to the vet is crucial as soon as you see this virus beginning. Many cats pick at the painful eye, and since they have claws, bad things can happen. This could end with your cat needing an enucleation, which is the removal of an eye. Pirate cats are adorable, and we are big fans of them here at PetMojo, but this virus can be avoided with proper care.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
FIP is one of the worst and deadliest viruses in the feline world. There have been some breakthroughs in science that have given us vaccines and treatments. It isn’t ironed out 100%, but has made huge leaps over the last decade. This could save millions of cats’ lives. As of February 2025, the treatment comes with a hefty price tag, but it is worth it if it saves your cat’s life. FIP is not contagious. Most cats with FIP were euthanized before the development of the vaccine.
The symptoms of FIP eye issues are redness, swelling, and irritation, which make people want to close their eyes to lessen the pain from light or the air. Once they do close their eyes, however, their eyelids can crust shut (like a child with pink eye), damaging the cornea or causing blindness. Because the virus is so terrible, any surgery would just add more pain to the situation and likely not heal since FIB attacks the immune system.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
FIV is another nasty autoimmune virus, much like HIV, in humans. It can be treated with antivirals when flares occur, but it is a lifelong virus that can affect the eyes, lungs, organs, and the rate at which they heal from injuries. It is important to keep FIV cats indoors to lessen the chance of it being spread through deep bite wounds. If the cat is not prone to fight, it can live happy, full lives in households that also have cats without FIV.
There are many types of eye ointments, drops, and antibiotics that can be given to ease the pain and discomfort and also heal the eye. Anytime a cat has an irritated eye, trim its claws. Scratching at the eye can make the situation much worse. Cone or inflatable collars are helpful in these situations.
