Can cats get pink eye? Yes—cats can develop conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye. Cornell Feline Health Center defines conjunctivitis as inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin mucous membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the outer surface of the eyeball. While both infectious organisms and environmental irritants can trigger conjunctivitis in cats, visible redness, swelling, squinting, frequent blinking, or ocular discharge alone cannot identify the underlying cause or rule out other eye conditions without a veterinary examination.
Why eye redness or discharge requires a veterinary contact
PDSA's UK veterinary guidance on conjunctivitis in cats advises contacting a veterinarian whenever you notice eye changes or have concerns, even if your cat does not show every textbook symptom. Animal Trust's veterinary guidance likewise recommends prompt veterinary assessment for suspected feline pink eye so a clinician can examine the eye and exclude other ocular problems. Never apply leftover human eye drops or unprescribed washes at home.
Follow these steps when calling your veterinary clinic
Call your veterinary practice promptly as soon as you spot an eye change—never delay the phone call to wait for more symptoms or to try taking close-up photographs:
- Report when you first noticed the change: State clearly when you saw the symptom (for example, "noticed at 8:00 AM today") without guessing when the inflammation actually started if the cat was unobserved overnight.
- Identify whether one or both eyes are affected: Tell the clinic whether you see changes in the left eye, right eye, or both eyes.
- Describe only what you can see without touching the eye: Note visible redness, lid swelling, squinting, frequent blinking, or watery/thick discharge.
- Confirm the appointment and interim care rules: Ask when your cat should be examined at the clinic and what you should avoid doing before the visit, then confirm which household member is taking the cat in.
Use this pre-call observation card (without delaying your call)
Jot down what you already know on this four-row card during or right before your call, leaving any unknown onset time marked as unknown:
| Observation field | What to tell the veterinary practice |
|---|---|
| 1. Time noticed vs. onset | Exact time you first saw the eye change (keep actual onset marked unknown if unobserved): ____ |
| 2. Affected eye(s) | Left eye only, right eye only, or both eyes: ____ |
| 3. Visible eye changes | Observed redness, squinting, frequent blinking, eyelid swelling, or discharge appearance: ____ |
| 4. Clinic next step & owner | Appointment time, interim instructions from the vet team, and person responsible for transport: ____ |
Follow up if eye changes persist or return
If eye redness, squinting, or discharge continues or flares up again after initial treatment, contact your veterinary practice promptly; PDSA notes that persistent or recurring feline conjunctivitis often requires further diagnostic investigation. Keep your clinic's emergency and daytime numbers handy inside your cat home-care plan.
