You’re sitting on the couch, your cat jumps up for a snuggle, and you notice it. A wet streak. A glistening droplet right in the corner of their eye. Your heart sinks because, as humans, we associate tears with sadness, grief, or pain. You might wonder if they’re lonely or if that vet trip last week traumatized them.
But here’s the thing: cats don't cry like we do.
When you ask why is my cat crying tears, you aren't looking for a psychological breakdown of feline depression. You're looking at a physical symptom. While cats are incredibly emotional creatures—they feel joy, fear, and even grief—they express those feelings through body language and vocalizations. Not through tear ducts. If your cat has liquid leaking from their eyes, it’s almost certainly a medical or environmental issue rather than a broken heart.
It’s messy. It’s sometimes gooey. And honestly, it’s usually one of five or six very specific culprits.
The Viral Elephant in the Room: Feline Herpesvirus
Believe it or not, a huge percentage of cats carry Feline Herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1). It sounds scary, but it’s basically the feline version of a chronic cold. It lingers in their system forever. Most cats get it as kittens. Then, whenever they get stressed—maybe you moved houses or brought home a new puppy—the virus "wakes up."
One of the hallmark signs is "weeping" eyes.
This isn't just a watery eye; it’s often accompanied by sneezing or a runny nose. Dr. Marty Becker, a well-known voice in the veterinary community, often points out that stress management is the biggest factor in keeping these "tears" at bay. If the discharge looks clear, it might just be a flare-up. If it starts looking yellow or green? That's when bacteria have crashed the party, and you've got a secondary infection on your hands.
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Conjunctivitis: The Pink Eye Problem
Cats get pink eye. It’s just as annoying for them as it is for us. The conjunctiva—that pinkish tissue around the eye—gets inflamed, and the body’s natural response is to flush the area.
Hence, tears.
You’ll notice the tissue looks puffy. Maybe they’re squinting. Squinting is a big red flag in the cat world. It usually indicates pain. If your cat is "crying" from only one eye and keeping it half-shut, conjunctivitis is a top suspect. It can be caused by irritants like dust or strong perfumes, or it can be infectious.
Blocked Tear Ducts (Epiphora)
This one is purely mechanical. Normally, a cat’s eyes produce a steady film of moisture to keep things moving. This liquid is supposed to drain through tiny holes called puncta, located in the corners of the eyes, and down into the nose. It’s why your nose runs when you cry.
But what if the drain is clogged?
In some cats, especially those with "smushed" faces like Persians or Himalayans, the tear ducts are poorly shaped or easily blocked. The tears have nowhere to go but out and down the face. This leads to those rusty-colored stains you see on light-colored cats. It’s not necessarily an emergency, but it can lead to skin irritation if the fur stays damp for too long.
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Scratches and Ulcers: The "Something is Stuck" Factor
Imagine walking through tall grass and a blade of hay pokes you right in the pupil. It hurts. A lot.
Cats are adventurous. They get into fights. They dash through bushes. A corneal ulcer—a scratch on the clear surface of the eye—is incredibly common and causes massive tearing. The eye will water profusely because it's trying to wash away the perceived "object" and heal the wound.
Wait, check this: If your cat is pawing at their eye or rubbing their face against the carpet, stop them. If it is an ulcer, rubbing it can make the scratch deeper. A "melting" ulcer is a real thing that vets see, and it can lead to the loss of the eye in literal days.
Allergies and Environmental Triggers
Sometimes the answer to why is my cat crying tears is sitting in your utility closet.
Cats have incredibly sensitive respiratory systems. That new scented litter? The "Fresh Linen" plug-in air freshener? The cigarette smoke from the neighbor's balcony? All of these can trigger an allergic response. The eyes water, the cat sneezes, and you’re left wondering what’s wrong.
I’ve seen cases where simply switching to an unscented, low-dust clay litter stopped the "crying" overnight. It’s often the simplest things.
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When Should You Actually Worry?
Look, a little bit of "sleep" in the corner of a cat's eye is normal. We all get it. But there’s a line.
- Color Check: Clear liquid is usually okay for a "wait and see" approach for 24 hours. Yellow, green, or thick white discharge means infection. Period.
- Behavioral Shifts: Is the cat hiding? Are they off their food? Cats are masters at hiding pain, but "crying" combined with lethargy is a bad combo.
- The Third Eyelid: Cats have a "nictitating membrane"—a third eyelid. If you see this white/pinkish film covering part of the eye while the cat is awake, it’s a sign of systemic illness or localized pain.
- Cloudiness: If the actual eyeball looks cloudy or "steamy," that’s an emergency. It could be glaucoma or a deep ulcer.
The Reality of Feline "Emotions"
I want to circle back to the emotional side because it's what most people are worried about. While science tells us cats don't cry tears from sadness, they do have a "cry." It’s a vocalization.
The "caterwaul" or a specific low-pitched meow is how they tell you they are distressed. If your cat is sitting there with watery eyes and making a sound you've never heard before, they aren't crying like a human child. They are likely in significant physical pain.
What You Can Do Right Now
If your cat’s eyes are watering but they seem otherwise fine, start with a gentle cleanup.
Use a soft, damp cloth with lukewarm water. No soap. No human eye drops. Definitely no Visine—that stuff can be toxic or at the very least incredibly irritating to a cat’s unique eye chemistry. Wipe from the inner corner outward.
Then, look at their environment. Did you just spray perfume? Did you use a heavy floor cleaner? Open some windows. Get some fresh air moving.
If the tearing persists for more than 24 to 48 hours, or if you see the cat squinting, you need a vet. They’ll likely use a fluorescein stain—a bright orange dye—to look for scratches under a blue light. It’s a quick, painless test that gives immediate answers.
Practical Steps for Eye Health
- Check the humidity: Dry winter air can irritate feline eyes just like ours. A humidifier can actually help a "weepy" cat.
- L-Lysine supplements: Many vets recommend this amino acid for cats with chronic Herpesvirus. It helps suppress viral replication. Check with your vet for the right dosage.
- Trim the "face furniture": For long-haired breeds, keep the hair around the eyes trimmed short. Long hairs can poke the eye, causing constant irritation and tearing.
- Ditch the scents: Switch to unscented laundry detergents and litters. Your cat’s nose is much closer to these surfaces than yours is.
Eye issues in cats can go from "minor annoyance" to "permanent blindness" faster than you’d think. While it's tempting to think they're just having a sensitive emotional moment, treating it as a medical symptom is the safest bet for your pet. Keep the area clean, monitor the color of the discharge, and don't hesitate to get a professional opinion if the squinting starts. Your cat’s vision is worth the caution.