My cat has a strand of fur on her eye ball. Is there anything I should do?

Question

I noticed it there this morning, and I also saw it a week or two ago. I'm not sure if its the same strand or if its the same piece that's been there for a couple of weeks. Does she need to go to the vet?

Answer 1

If its not causing any irritation to your cats eye I wouldn't worry about it. This is a pretty common happening with cats since they regularly groom themselves. They're eyes are similar to ours, because they clean themselves. They have the advantage of the third eye lid to help them even more. If you see any signs of irritation, though, definently take her to the vet.

*Edit* I see alot of people are telling you to try and get it out youself. If you do try this, please be careful. You could very easily injure her eye unintentionally. Like others, my cats have the same problem sometimes. But I have never had to take one to the vet, because their eyes clean themselves.

Answer 2

I have 6 cats, (7 until a short time ago). Sometimes it will naturally flush it's self out. Esp. if her eye is tearing a lot. But since it has been there that long I would do the following (and I have done the following). Get a flashlight, a towel or small blanket, eye drops if you have them (if not CLEAN room temp water won't hurt her) and an extra set of hands if possible. She will not like it but wrap her like a burrito in the towel, tight enough around the shoulders, not the neck, that she can't get out. This is where the other set of hands comes in "handy" lol. Hold her in your lap, perhaps cradled in your arm. She is REALLY going to hate it, the being bound and kinda on her back but it is safer for both of you. Have your helper, or if you can manage take the flashlight and see if you can see it. A word of caution DO NOT use a huge flood light, halogen lighthouse type of flashlight, a small wimpy one with near dead batteries will let you see enough! Do Not shine it directly in her eye!! Try to just shine it across her eye, very indirectly. If you can wipe at the corner of her eye (with CLEAN hands) and get at it try that first. If not put a couple of drops of eye drops or water into the inside corner of her, not directly in the middle, that hurts. When she opens her eye the drops will go in. Try to flush it well. Also take a good look at it, are you sure it is in fact a hair? Some types of worms do get into the eyes. Look for abrasions, redness, puss and swelling on the eye and the inside of the lid. those are all bad of course and so is an odor. That is the sure time to get the vet involved. Do NOT try to use anything like tweezers! Use nothing sharper than your thumb. And watch your nails too. It may take several tries, depending on how she handles it. If she really starts freaking out let her go. Try again in a couple of hours. I have a long haired orange cat that we have had to do the same thing with a couple of times. He is huge and usually very mellow but when he is done, that's it. Good Luck!

If you are concerned, or don't feel comfortable being that "hands on", Please take her to the vet. Like kids you can't rush them in every time they sneeze. But also like kids, you can't replace them!

Answer 3

You don't need to worry as long as she doesn't produce weird meowing or shows any other sign of discomfort. She'll probably clean it herself. However, if she does appear to be upset about that, do take her to the vet. At least he'll tell you what to do next time that something like this happens.

Answer 4

It happens to my cat all the time. Unless its eye is closed and/or watering, it's probably normal. If your cat seems bothered by it - I would go to the vet. I wouldn't want to mess with its eye.

Answer 5

Yes.

Answer 6

you could get some visine....just the saline solution and try to rinse her eyes....if that doesn't work, then try the vet

Answer 7

if she will let you take it out if not take her to vet to be on the safe side...