What causes tear staining in cats?
Tear staining is caused by an abnormal overflow of tears from the eyes (known as epiphora). This can result in unsightly staining of the fur around the eyes. There are several causes for this including; • Infection • Irritants (such as cigarette smoke or chemicals) • Allergies • Foreign matter • Abnormal eyelashes (known as distichiasis) • Abnormal tear ducts This can be seen in any breed of cat although it is seen more often in Persian & Himalayan cats. Their facial structure usually causes a narrowing of the nasolacrimal duct & a shallow tear lake at the inner corner of the eye. All these factors may contribute to the problem. The eyes continually produce tears which run down the cat’s face. The bacteria on the fur & exposure to air cause these damp areas to turn a reddish brown.
