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How to Clean Your Cat's Eyes Safely

Wipe discharge with a damp cotton wool ball, a fresh one per eye — and don't touch the eye itselfProfessional guidance

International Cat Care advises removing discharge from around the eye with a damp cotton wool ball, taking care not to touch the eye itself, using a separate ball for each eye. Any change to the eyes, or a constant sticky discharge, is a vet matter.

Applies to: For gently wiping normal crust or tear staining from the fur around the eye. Not for treating a sore, weeping, or infected eye — that needs a vet.

Steps

The safe wiping techniqueFact
  • Remove discharge from around the eye with a damp cotton wool ball, taking care not to touch the eye itself.
  • Use a separate ball for each eye and dry with a soft tissue.
  • A fresh ball per eye avoids spreading any infection between eyes.
  • Wipe the surrounding fur only — never the surface of the eye.
Normal crust vs a problemFact
  • A small amount of crusting in the corner of the eyes is normal.
  • A constant weeping or a sticky discharge is not normal.
  • Redness, squinting, or a held-shut eye point to a problem, not routine grooming.
  • Don't try to remove discharge stuck deep in the corner yourself — leave that to the vet.
When it's a vet issueProfessional guidance
  • Contact your vet as soon as you notice a problem with your cat's eyes — eyes are precious.
  • Any change to the eyes, or the cat appearing in discomfort, warrants a vet call.
  • If prescribed eye drops or ointment are hard to apply, ask your vet team for help.
  • Do not put any human eye product or medication in a cat's eye without vet direction.

Normal vs keep-watching

Normal: A small amount of crust in the inner corner that wipes away easily with damp cotton wool, leaving a clear, open, comfortable eye.

Keep watching: Watch for constant weeping, sticky or coloured discharge, redness, squinting, pawing at the eye, or a partly closed eye.

When to contact a vet. Contact your vet as soon as you notice any change to the eyes, discomfort, or discharge that keeps returning — eyes can deteriorate quickly.

What changes this answer

  • Occasional crust vs constant discharge
  • Discharge colour and stickiness
  • Signs of pain (squinting, pawing, held-shut eye)
  • Flat-faced breeds prone to tear overflow

Common mistakes

  • Touching the surface of the eye with the cotton wool
  • Using the same pad on both eyes
  • Using human eye drops or wipes not meant for cats
  • Digging at discharge lodged in the corner instead of seeing a vet

Sources

Real questions cat owners ask

  • What should I use to clean my cat's eyes?
  • Is eye crust in my cat normal?
  • When should I see a vet about my cat's eyes?
Log any recurring eye discharge (which eye, colour, how often) so patterns are visible to your vet at check-ups. Set up your Cat Passport.

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