Understanding Your Feline Friend: Cats Eyes

As a long-term cat owner, I can personally attest to the fact that it's often difficult to determine if there's something wrong with your cat. Granted, there are a variety of clues that can help you pick up on the different problems, but if you're new to cat husbandry or this is your first pet, you might miss many of the clues that can affect a sick cat. Don't despair, however - it's not that you're failing as a pet owner; cats are notoriously independent and hard to diagnose. Fortunately, there is one main area that can often clue you in on a potential health condition - your cat's eyes.

Some Facts About Cat Eyes

They say that the eyes are the window to the soul and any cat owner is bound to agree. If you've ever taken the time to gaze into a cat's eyes, and watch her stare back into you, you will understand the seemingly mystical bond that many feline friends seem to share with their cat. It's a magical feeling that cat owners have been experiencing for thousands of years.

The cat eye is a fascinating thing. Did you know that cats can see colors? It's true - not all animals are as colorblind as we were once led to believe. While not as intense as the different shades that we recognize, studies have revealed that cats can make out different colors such as blue and yellow. Red and green tend to give them more trouble, appearing more as "dark" or "light" rather than actual colors, but our feline friends are even capable of distinguishing a variety of different shades within the color gray.

Another myth about cat eyes is that cats are able to see in the dark - while cats are nocturnal hunters and have better night vision than humans, they cannot see in total darkness. The cat is simply more sensitive to light than we are - they only require one-sixth of the light that we need in order to see. This is because the feline pupil can dilate three times larger than ours and their cornea is bigger, which allows more light into the eye. Reflective cells (known as "tapetum") further amplify the amount of light entering the eye, granting them better night vision as well as making their eyes glow when a light strikes them.

Finally, one other thing that you might not realize about cats is that they are nearsighted. This means that your cat can see objects that are up close but, at a distance, things become blurry. This is part of the reason why cats are always so curious - if it smells interesting or moves in a way that it triggers a cat's predatory instincts, they are quickly on the hunt!

The Normal Cat Eye

Much like humans, cat eyes come in a variety of shapes and colors. Colors can range from a brilliant intense green to molten gold, eerie yellow or even a beautiful blue. Some cats have distinctively rounded eyes, like the Exotic Shorthair or Persian, where breeds like the Oriental Shorthair tend to have a more almond shape. Whatever your preference, chances are there's a cat out there that will tickle your fancy.

While the appearance of cat eyes may vary, there are still several traits that we can look for, in order to tell a healthy eye from one that is unhealthy or signifying that the cat may be ill. These include the following:

- Brightness: A cat's eyes should be bright and alert when he is awake. Half-lidded eyes, when the cat is fully awake, may be an indication that something may be wrong.

- Clarity: Normally, a cat's eyes are very clear and brilliant. Any cloudiness of the eye should be examined by a veterinarian, as should any kind of scratches or irritation on the surface of the eye. Additionally, the feline eye is not usually prone to excessive tearing - any weepiness or discharge collecting in the corners of the eyes is reason enough to take your cat in to the veterinarian.

- Redness: The skin around a cat's eye should be of a normal shade. Excessive redness or any kind of swelling around the eyes should be examined by your veterinarian.

Another good indicator that your cat may be ill is the elevation of the third eyelid or nictictating membrane. Used to clean and protect the eye's surface, if this membrane stays visible for an extended period of time, you should definitely have it checked out.

Cat Illnesses Can Show In the Eyes

There are a number of feline conditions that can show in your cat's eyes, particularly in the conjunctiva - a membrane that covers the eyeball and lines the lids of the eye. Redness or inflammation of this area is known as conjunctivitis and is usually a good indicator that a viral infection, such as herpes or chlamydia, may be present. Kittens commonly suffer from conjunctivitis, particularly if they are orphaned or raised outdoors.

Corneal ulcers or abrasions are common problems that can be found in the eyes of cats. Very common in outdoor or feral cats, corneal ulcers or corneal abrasions may arise during cat fights or any time that a cat's eye may become scratched or otherwise injured. If you suspect your cat may be suffering from a corneal injury, seek out a veterinarian immediately, as they are often very painful to your pet.

Cataracts are not as common in cats as they are in dogs, but they can still occur in our feline friends as well. Best described as opacities of the lens, cataracts can be inherited from a cat's ancestors. Persian cats, or cats of Persian ancestry, are more likely to suffer from congenital cataracts than other breeds.

There are a wide variety of diseases and conditions that can affect a cat's eyes. A good rule of thumb is to remember that any minor eye condition (not life-threatening) should show signs of improvement within 24 hours. If it does not, seek veterinary assistance.

Sources:

Personal experience as a cat owner

Manhattan Cats: http://www.manhattancats.com/Articles/eyes.html - Helpful info about cat eyes