Causes of Brown Tears in Cats

There are three main reasons for cats to have brown tears:

Overheating due to salty or dry food: When the food cats eat is too salty or dry, it can cause them to become upset and lead to increased eye secretions and changed tear color.
Blocked nasolacrimal duct: When the nasolacrimal duct is blocked, the secretions cannot flow out through the duct and instead overflow from the corners of the eyes. If these secretions stay in the eyes for a long time, they can oxidize and turn brown.
Eye inflammation: Eye inflammation can cause increased secretions and lead to brown tears.

It is recommended for owners to check their cats' eyes regularly. If they notice any abnormalities such as swollen eyelids or difficulty opening the eyes, it's best to take the cat to a pet hospital for treatment.

Overheating

If the food cats usually eat is too salty or dry, they may become upset and exhibit symptoms such as increased eye secretions and changed tear color. In this case, owners need to adjust their cats' diet, feed them foods that help reduce heat, and appropriately reduce the amount of meat in their diet to maintain moisture balance. If the situation does not improve, it is recommended to take the cat to a pet hospital for inspection and treatment.

Blocked Nasolacrimal Duct

When a cat's nasolacrimal duct is blocked, the eye secretions may not be able to flow out through the duct and instead overflow from the corners of the eyes. If these secretions stay in the eyes for a long time, they can oxidize and turn brown. Therefore, if a cat has been experiencing long-term brown tears, it's best to take it to a pet hospital for inspection and treatment.

Eye Inflammation

When a cat's eyes are infected or stimulated, they can produce excessive secretions. If these secretions stay in the eyes for a long time, they will also oxidize and turn brown. Owners can check their cats' eyes for symptoms such as swollen eyelids, conjunctival edema, increased eye secretions, tearfulness, and difficulty opening the eyes. This may indicate eye inflammation, which can be treated with pet-specific eye drops and by wearing an Elizabethan collar to prevent the cat from scratching itself.

Usually, the condition will improve within a week or so. If it doesn't improve, it could be due to other causes such as viral, mycoplasma, or chlamydia infections, and it's necessary to take the cat to the pet hospital for treatment.