Cat Scratched My Eye (Now What? Can I Prevent This?)
If your cat has scratched your eye, the chances are, you are unhappy, keen to understand why, and simple ways to prevent this from happening again (Click here to see one of my best ways, on Amazon #Ad) in the future.
Why Did Your Cat Scratch Your Eye?
If your cat scratched your eye there are likely to be two possible reasons: It was scared or provoked into a defense response. It may seem harsh, and maybe uncalled for. But, it’s important to understand what the root cause is to move forward.
So, now you know why your cat has done this. But, is this regarded as an emergency? Will it heal on its own? How can you prevent this from happening again? Keep reading for these answers, and so much more.
The 2 Main Reasons Your Cat Scratched Your Eye
Cat scratched my eye.
As discussed, if your cat has scratched your eye, there are mainly two reasons why your cat did this. Let’s take a look at both of the reasons.
01. They Got Provoked
One reason why your cat scratched your eye is that they got provoked. Cats may get provoked due to various reasons. Sometimes, even a little teasing or a friendly gesture can provoke your cat.
02. They Got Scared
Cats do not trust anyone easily. So, it is highly possible that your cat got scared of you for some reason and ended up scratching your eye.
What Should You Do After Your Cat Scratched Your Eye?
If your cat has scratched your eye, you can try out the methods given below to ease the pain. However, make sure you immediately see an eye doctor with or without any damage.
1. Try Rinsing Your Eyes With Saline or Clean Water
The first thing you can try to do is rinse your eyes with saline or clean water (can this be used on a cats closed eye? click here). This can help in soothing the pain and also in removing any foreign objects such as dust from your eye.
2. Keep Blinking
Blinking isn’t the best option to soothe the pain. However, if you keep blinking, it can definitely help get rid of dust from your cat’s nails and other materials.
3. Try Wearing Sunglasses
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If your eye has been scratched, consider wearing sunglasses when you have to go see the doctor.
Sunglasses will help to protect your sensitive eyes from sunlight.
4. Don’t Rub Your Eye
Make sure you never rub your eye if your cat has scratched it. This can hurt you more.
5. Don’t Wear Your Contacts
Try your best to not wear your lenses or contacts if your eyes have got scratched.
6. Don’t Use Redness-Relieving Eye Drops
Redness-relieving eye drops can worsen the pain instead of relieving it. So, make sure you steer clear of them.
These are some of the things you can try out. If you visit your doctor, they may most certainly prescribe you anti-inflammatory and soothing eye drops. So, do give them a visit.
Is a Scratched Eye an Emergency?
If you have a scratched eye, it depends on whether it is serious or not. Scratched eye, also known as a corneal abrasion, is basically a type of scratch present on the outer layer of the pupil and iris.
A corneal abrasion is a common eye injury that may be due to various factors. It can cause discomfort and increase the risk of eye infections. Thus, it becomes necessary to seek medical help and attention to reduce any other risks.
How Can You Stop Your Cat Scratching You?
If your cat keeps scratching you, it can definitely become a matter of worry. In this case, it becomes necessary to make sure you put an end to this cat scratching.
Now, how can you do that? Well, the given ways are known to be quite efficient in tackling this problem.
Don’t Get Angry or Aggressive
If you wish to curb this behavior of your cat, make sure you don’t get angry or aggressive at them either.
You need to make sure you don’t scold them or shout at them. Hitting them is the worst thing to do as well. Your aggression can make the cat feel scared, anxious, and more aggressive.
Instead, try to be polite and give them their space.
Try Understanding the Reason Behind It
As mentioned earlier, your cat is showing these signs due to anxiety, aggression, or fear. Try to understand what is causing these things.
For example, if you have adopted a cat, there may be chances that the cat has developed feelings of mistrust and fear due to facing abuse in the past. It can also be because of any sickness or pregnancy.
Thus, try to get to the root level of the problem.
Try Distracting Them Using Toys
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Your cat may start biting and scratching you as a way to stay entertained. However, you can simply curb this behavior by giving them toys such as toy mice that can distract their mind from you.
Neutering Your Cat?
Unneutered cats are usually more aggressive and territorial, especially if you have more than one pet. They may start showing aggressive behavior to dominate the house. In this case, neutering can help in making your cat more peaceful and quiet. However, some swear by it, others do not like it.
So, these are the four popular ways to stop your cat from scratching your eyes.
Does a Scratched Eye Feel Like Something Is in It?
If you have a scratched eye or a corneal abrasion wherein there’s a scratch on the layer covering your iris or pupil, then you may feel like something is in or on the eye.
If you feel discomfort, make sure you see a doctor immediately for some relief and ease.
Can a Scratched Eye Heal on Its Own?
Yes, a scratched eye or corneal abrasion can heal on its own within two to three days.
However, keep in mind that you should still see your eye doctor to get proper medication for comfort and faster healing. If it goes untreated, it may cause the development of corneal ulcers that may also lead to vision loss.
Do Cats Get Scratched in the Eye Sometimes?
Cats have a habit of playing rough when it comes to other cats, especially if you have more than one in your home. Thus, in this situation, their claws would definitely come out and cause harm to the other.
So yes, cats definitely get scratched in the eye sometimes by the other cats during playtime or even when two cats are fighting.
When it comes to a simple scratched eye, your cat’s outside layer of the eye like the cornea or sclera would get scratched. On the other hand, a severe injury may cause the inner layers to be damaged which can lead to severe eye problems in your cat’s eye.
Thus, eye injury may not even be serious but sometimes, it may get serious too.
What Happens if a Cat Gets Scratched in the Eye?
When it comes to corneal abrasions in cats or even humans, don’t worry! Most of them get healed in just two to three days.
However, make sure you call up your vet and ask them to prescribe any medicines or eye drops for your cat’s comfort and healing. Ensure that you don’t simply use any eye drops without the vet’s prescription as it may cause further damage.
On the other hand, if the scratching causes inflammation or major pain, then call up your vet and fix up an appointment immediately.
If the scratched eye goes untreated, it may develop into something worse like corneal ulcers.
How Can You See if Your Cat’s Eye Is Scratched?
After a catfight, if you suspect that your cat may have gotten eye injuries, it is important to check your cat’s eyes immediately.
You can try and check out the below-given symptoms for a scratched eye in your cat. However, make sure you don’t go too close to your cat!
- Watery eye
- Squinting eye
- Cat pawing the eye continuously
- Inflammation and redness
- Blood in the eye
- Visible scratch
- Constant blinking
- Staying away from light
If you see these symptoms, make sure you take your cat to the vet immediately or consult the vet on call.
How Are Scratched Eyes Typically Treated?
Corneal abrasions are diagnosed using a slit lamp and then treated accordingly. These lamps consist of a microscope having a bright light that helps the ophthalmologists to examine the front and internal areas of your eye.
Once they find out the severity of the scratch, they may suggest and prescribe you antibiotic eye drops, along with telling you how to use it and for how many days.
Mostly non-severe corneal abrasions get healed up naturally in two to three days whereas more severe ones may take time. All you have to do is go and consult a doctor after a scratched eye.
What can happen if a cat scratches your eye?
If a cat scratches your eye then firstly, it will be very painful. And in the worst case, it could lead to cat scratch disease or even blindness, but that is extreme cases.
Even if the scratch is not directly in your eye, for example, on the eyelid, it can still cause a lot of pain and stinging.
The initial concern will be the pain and any temporary effects on your vision. Therefore, if there is any doubt you should consult your doctor or local hospital.
Could you go blind from a cat scratch?
Yes, you could go blind from a cat scratch. But, this is usually in extreme circumstances. In this case, it could be from neglect in caring for the scratch, leading to bacterial or fungal infections down the line.
This is why it is important to deal with the scratch as soon as possible. This can reduce the chances of your eye having bigger issues down the line.
Can my scratched eye heal on its own?
Yes. A scratched eye can heal on its own. However, these are only for scratches that are quite light. A more serious scratch may need further assistance and take considerably longer to heal.
This is why it is important to attend to the scratch as soon as possible to avoid any long-term damage to your eye.
How long is it likely to take for an eye scratch to heal?
If the scratch, known as corneal abrasions, is not major you could expect it to heal within 3 to 5 days. But, this is assuming that it has been treated to avoid bacterial infections.
These treatments can include antibiotic drops or even ointments to avoid bacterial infection. It is advisable to contact your doctor to seek their advice for the best ones.
What should I do if my cat scratches my eye and it’s bleeding?
If your cat has scratched your eye causing it to bleed then you need to avoid aggravating it by rubbing or scratching your eye. Also, it may seem natural to cover your eye, but this can cause bacterial issues.
The best thing is to wash it with clean water and consult your doctor. In serious cases, your doctor may refer you for surgery.
What if my cat scratched my eye and it’s now swollen?
If your eye has swollen after being scratched you will need to clean it with water to clear any potential debris or bacteria and contact your doctor as a priority.
It’s important to get it looked at as soon as possible to avoid the situation getting worse.
What happens if a cat scratches near your eye?
If you have been scratched near your eye, similar to being scratched in the eye, it’s important to clean the area with clean water or, failing that, saline solution (Click here to see the price, on Amazon #Ad) to remove any potential debris.
Examples of this debris that you will need to remove could be from the cat’s nail, or dirt held in it. This clean-out can help to avoid bacteria attacking the wound.
And, following this, it’s important to consult your doctor as soon as possible to get their advice on how to proceed.
Can you see a scratched cornea?
Some scratched corneas are visible. However, if it is a slight scratch it may be very hard for someone to see. Therefore some methods include using a special eye dye that highlights this.
This is only to be done by a medical professional though, so it’s best to contact your doctor or local hospital for their advice.
