Noticing reddish eye discharge in your cat can be alarming. Whether it’s rust-colored tears, crust near the eye, or pink-tinged drainage, you’re right to pay attention. While sometimes harmless, reddish eye drainage can also signal infection, injury, or underlying illness.
In this guide, we’ll cover the most common causes of red or rust-colored eye discharge in cats, what to watch for, home care tips, and when it’s time to call the vet. We’ll also explore the behavioral stress that often comes with illness—and introduce a powerful, natural solution to help restore calm if your cat is spraying, hiding, or acting out.
Why Is My Cat’s Eye Discharge Red or Rust-Colored?
Reddish eye drainage in cats is usually caused by blood-tinged tears, pigment breakdown, or chronic eye irritation. The actual color may look rusty, pinkish, brown-red, or even like dried blood.
Common causes include:
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Tear duct issues or staining
- Eye injury or scratch
- Upper respiratory infection (URI)
- Corneal ulcer or abrasion
- Entropion (eyelid turns inward)
- Chronic epiphora (excessive tearing)
If your cat is also acting stressed—spraying, hiding, or avoiding the litter box—it may be more than just an eye issue.
Try Cat Spray No More to naturally stop stress-driven behavior and help your cat feel safe again.
1. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Conjunctivitis is one of the most common reasons for eye discharge in cats—and it often causes red, swollen tissues and colored tearing. Inflammation of the eye’s inner lining leads to increased tear production and sometimes mild bleeding.
Symptoms include:
- Red or puffy eyelids
- Watery, red, or yellow discharge
- Squinting or excessive blinking
- Rubbing at the eye or face
What to Do:
- Clean discharge gently with warm saline and cotton pads
- Use prescribed eye drops or ointments from your vet
- Keep your cat indoors during treatment to reduce irritants
Most mild conjunctivitis clears up in 5–10 days with care, but chronic or recurring cases need vet management.
2. Tear Staining (Epiphora)
Chronic tearing can lead to tear stains—especially in cats with light-colored fur or flat faces like Persians. Over time, tears oxidize and turn reddish-brown due to porphyrin, a natural pigment found in tears.
Signs of tear staining:
- Reddish or rusty lines under the inner corners of the eyes
- Wet fur near the eyes
- Sticky discharge that dries and crusts
Causes may include:
- Blocked tear ducts
- Allergies
- Facial anatomy (flat faces)
How to Manage It:
- Wipe eyes daily with a clean, damp cloth
- Ask your vet about flushing tear ducts if staining worsens
- Use tear-stain removal products (vet-approved only)
Tear staining is cosmetic in most cases, but chronic wetness can lead to secondary infections.
3. Eye Injury or Foreign Object
A scratch, bite, or dust particle can irritate the eye and lead to pink or red discharge. This type of drainage may be mixed with clear fluid or appear after a minor trauma—especially in outdoor cats.
Look for:
- Sudden squinting
- One eye closed or partially shut
- Redness around the cornea
- Light sensitivity or pawing at the face
Next Steps:
- Inspect both eyes gently under light
- Flush with sterile saline (never force the eye open)
- See a vet if symptoms persist or worsen within 24 hours
Eye trauma can lead to corneal ulcers or permanent vision loss if untreated—don’t delay vet care if pain is obvious.
4. Corneal Ulcers or Abrasions
When the surface of the eye (the cornea) is damaged, it becomes inflamed and painful—causing watery or red discharge. Your cat may avoid light or keep the eye shut entirely.
Warning signs:
- Red or cloudy cornea
- Swollen eyelids
- Rubbing face against furniture or floor
Veterinary treatment usually includes:
- Fluorescein stain to detect ulcers
- Prescription eye drops or antibiotic ointments
- Protective collar to prevent scratching
Never use human eye drops on a cat—they can make the problem worse.
5. Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)
Feline upper respiratory infections often cause eye symptoms—especially in kittens or shelter cats. Viruses like herpes or calicivirus cause inflammation, tearing, and secondary bacterial infections that lead to reddish or crusty discharge.
Watch for these symptoms:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing or coughing
- Decreased appetite
- Eye discharge (watery, red, or yellow)
Care Tips:
- Use warm compresses to clean eyes gently
- Keep your cat warm and hydrated
- Ask your vet about antiviral or antibiotic support
Some cats become chronic carriers of feline herpesvirus—flare-ups can cause repeated eye issues over time.
Illness and eye discomfort often lead to behavior changes like spraying, hiding, or refusing the litter box.
Cat Spray No More is a natural, safe solution to end stress-driven behavior and restore peace in your home.
6. Entropion (Inward-Turning Eyelid)
Some cats are born with or develop inward-turning eyelids, which cause lashes to rub the eye. This results in irritation, redness, and watery or red-tinted discharge.
Breeds prone to entropion include:
- Persians
- British Shorthairs
- Exotic Shorthairs
In severe cases, entropion requires surgical correction.
When Should I Be Concerned About Red Eye Discharge?
Not all red discharge is an emergency—but it’s worth investigating if it lasts longer than 48 hours or is accompanied by pain or swelling.
Call your vet if you notice:
- One eye completely shut
- Thick, yellow, or bloody discharge
- Redness that spreads to both eyes
- Loss of appetite or fever
- Visible clouding or ulcer on the eye surface
For mild cases, you can:
- Flush the eye with sterile saline
- Keep the face clean and dry
- Monitor for behavior changes or signs of discomfort
How to Clean a Cat’s Eyes Safely
Supplies you’ll need:
- Sterile saline solution or warm water
- Soft gauze or cotton pads
- A calm, quiet space
Steps:
- Wash your hands before and after handling your cat
- Gently hold your cat still—use a towel wrap if needed
- Dampen a cotton pad with warm saline
- Wipe from the inner corner outward—never reuse the pad on both eyes
- Repeat 1–2 times daily or as directed by your vet
Behavioral Support During Illness
Eye problems—especially those caused by stress, infection, or discomfort—can trigger behavioral changes like:
- Spraying or marking furniture
- Withdrawing or hiding
- Refusing to use the litter box
Many cat parents overlook this aspect of illness recovery. But supporting your cat emotionally is just as important as treating the physical symptoms.
Cat Spray No More helps you eliminate spraying, restore litter habits, and bring emotional relief—naturally and gently.
Final Thoughts
If your cat has reddish eye drainage, don’t ignore it. While it’s often mild or cosmetic, it can also point to infections, injuries, or chronic tear duct issues that need care. Early action prevents complications—and helps your cat stay comfortable and healthy.
And if their behavior is shifting—spraying, hiding, or acting differently—it may be stress-related. Supporting both physical and emotional recovery is key to your cat’s full healing.
Click here to try Cat Spray No More—the gentle, vet-endorsed solution trusted by cat parents to stop marking, ease anxiety, and restore balance after illness or behavioral disruption.