Cat Eye Boogers: What's Normal, and How to Wipe Them Gently

A small brown crust in the corner of one eye. A little more on the other side. Your cat just woke up from a long nap, and she seems fine. Cat parents often call these eye goobies, or crusty corners. Most of the time, they are nothing to worry about.

Here is the short answer. A little dry crust in the corner of the eye is normal. You can soften it and wipe it away. Wet, thick, yellow or green discharge is a different story. So is a red, squinting or swollen eye. Those go to your vet, not to a cotton pad.

Below: what normal cat eye boogers look like, why some cats get more, the signs that mean a vet visit, and a gentle way to wipe them.

What Do Normal Eye Boogers Look Like?

Normal eye boogers are small, dry and sit in the corner of the eye. PetMD says a small amount of discharge in the corner is normal, as long as it stays minimal. It is usually brown, and only slightly moist or dried.

Timing is a clue, too. Cornerstone Veterinary Hospital notes that the crust often shows up after your cat sleeps. A vet quoted in a Rover guide explains why. Tears can collect in the corners of the eyes during sleep. As they dry, they turn into crust.

So why is it brown? The same guide says the color depends on what dried in it: mucus, tears, dust and other debris. A brownish or reddish-brown crust is common.

The eye itself tells you the most. International Cat Care says your cat's eyes should be "clear, bright and free of discharge or inflammation." So look past the crust, at the eye.

Why Do Some Cats Get More?

Some cats simply make more crust than others. Face shape is a big reason. VCA Animal Hospitals explains that flat-faced breeds, like Persians and Himalayans, have faces that don't let tears drain properly. Vets call these breeds brachycephalic.

When tears can't drain into the nose, they spill out at the corners instead. More tears can mean more crust. International Cat Care says a cat with a very flat face may have eyes that water often and need wiping regularly.

The air in your home plays a part, too. The vet in Rover's guide says dust, pollen and smoke can make the eyes produce more tears, and more eye gunk. So a dusty room or a smoky kitchen may show up in the corners of her eyes.

Crust in the corner is not the same as brown streaks on the fur. Those are tear stains, and they need a different routine. For those, see how to clean cat tear stains gently.

When Is Eye Discharge a Vet Problem?

Discharge that is colored, thick, one-sided or heavy goes to your vet. So does any change in the eye itself. International Cat Care says eye problems should be looked at as soon as possible, before they get worse.

Color is a big signal. iCatCare's page on runny eyes says a green or yellow discharge points to a bacterial infection. VCA lists cloudy, yellow or greenish discharge among the signs of conjunctivitis.

One side matters, too. PetMD says an upper respiratory infection, an injury or a blocked tear duct are common causes of one watery eye.

What could be behind it? The Cornell Feline Health Center says conjunctivitis can cause squinting, lots of blinking and discharge. It names feline herpesvirus among the most frequent causes. Only your vet can sort out which one it is.

Eye discharge plus sneezing needs a look, too. Cornell lists discharge from the eyes or nose and sneezing among the signs of an upper respiratory infection, often called cat flu. It says young cats catch it most easily.

That is why a kitten with crusted eyes needs your vet, not a home wipe. Maddie's Fund, an animal welfare foundation, lists eyes that can't be opened as a reason to see a vet.

Not sure if it's bad enough? WebMD says to call your vet right away if the discharge doesn't clear up in 24 hours, or if your cat is squinting. If her eye looks sore, don't put over-the-counter drops or washes in it. WebMD says to avoid them unless your vet has prescribed them. Let your vet decide.

A little dry crust after a nap is normal. Anything wetter, heavier or colored is not. If you notice redness, discharge, swelling, squinting or persistent scratching, stop and see your vet.

How Do You Wipe Them Gently?

Soften the crust first, then wipe it away from the eye. The whole job takes about a minute.

Pick a Calm Moment

Choose a time when your cat is already relaxed, like after a meal or a nap. Stroke her cheeks and under her chin first. Have everything ready before you start: soft cotton pads or cotton balls, clean water, a soft tissue and a favorite snack.

If her eye looks red, sore or runny, skip store-bought drops and rinses. Call your vet instead. For plain dry crust, go slow. If she pulls away, stop and try again later.

Soften the Crust First

Dry crust sticks to the fur. If you pick at it, you pull her hair. Your fingernail also ends up right next to her eye. A few seconds of softening lets the crust lift off on its own.

The simplest option is a cotton ball dampened with clean water. That is what International Cat Care suggests. Hold it against the crust for a few seconds, then wipe.

You can also use a rinse made for cleaning around a cat's eyes. LitterBond's Eye Wash is a 60 ml bottle with a long, curved tip. Hold the tip close to the inner corner, without touching it. The rinse helps flush away dust, pollen and debris. It softens crust, so you can wipe it off instead of picking.

Wriggly cat? Soak a cotton pad in the eye wash and hold it on the crust instead. It is made to be gentle and non-stinging. Still, it is an everyday cleaning rinse, not a medicine. Use it around the eye, never on the eye. If you notice redness, discharge, swelling, squinting or persistent scratching, stop and see your vet.

Wipe From the Corner Outward

Now wipe. International Cat Care's method is simple. Wipe gently from the corner of the eye outward, using a separate cotton ball for each eye. Then pat the area dry with a soft tissue.

A few rules keep it gentle:

• Never touch the eyeball. iCatCare says it will hurt, and your cat will try to avoid the experience in the future.
• Use a fresh pad for each eye. One pad for both eyes can carry gunk from one side to the other.
• Stay on the fur. Work at the corner and just below it, not on the eye.
• Use light strokes. A few soft passes lift more than one hard rub.

Some crust clings to the fur below the eye. Tear stain wipes can help with that part. LitterBond's are soft, round cotton pads, already moistened, that lift crust from the fur. Wipe from the inner corner outward, never on the eye, with a fresh pad for each eye. Is your cat fussy about new smells? Try one pad on her chin first. Cats are sensitive to essential oils and strong scents.

If you notice redness, discharge, swelling, squinting or persistent scratching, stop and see your vet.

Finish with the snack. You want her to remember the reward, not the pad.

Skip These Near Her Eyes

Leave these out, even if a friend swears by them:

• Human eye drops. PetMD advises against human eye drops or eye solutions unless your vet tells you to use them.
• Leftover medicine. VCA warns that medicine that helped a past eye problem may not help this time, and may even be harmful.
• Baby wipes and other wipes made for people.

How Often Should You Wipe?

Wipe only when there's crust to wipe. International Cat Care says that, in general, you shouldn't need to clean the area around your cat's eyes. For many cats, a quick wipe now and then is plenty.

Flat-faced cats are the exception, for the reasons above. For a Persian or a Himalayan, a daily wipe may fit best. Pick the same calm time each day, such as after her morning meal.

Watch the amount over time, too. Cornerstone Veterinary Hospital says occasional eye boogers are normal, but persistent or excessive discharge calls for a vet visit. Are you wiping more each week? Is the crust turning wet or colored? Then call your vet.

You can find the rinse and the pads in our eye, ear and skin care collection.

A cat who turns her face away from the cotton pad isn't being difficult. She's still learning the routine. Keep it short, and end with a snack. A little dry crust after a nap is normal. Wet, colored or heavy discharge, or a red or squinting eye, is your cue to call your vet. Otherwise, soften the crust, wipe it outward, and let her get back to her nap.

Questions this guide did not cover

How do I give my cat eye drops if the vet prescribes them?

Clean first, then apply without touching the eye. International Cat Care suggests removing any discharge with a damp cotton wool ball, then tilting your cat's head up. Hold the lids open, put the drops or ointment in without touching the eye's surface, and let her blink to spread it.

Can allergies cause eye discharge in cats?

They can. VCA Animal Hospitals says allergies are believed to be a common cause of conjunctivitis. The exact trigger can be hard to pin down or avoid. Your vet can work out what is going on.

Should I keep a cat with eye discharge away from my other cats?

Ask your vet, because some causes can spread. The Cornell Feline Health Center notes that one germ behind eye problems, Chlamydia felis, passes on through eye secretions. Until your vet has checked her, wash your hands after you touch her face.

Related reading

• How to Clean Cat Tear Stains Gently (and When to Call the Vet)
• How to Clean a Cat Without a Bath: A Calm, Waterless Routine