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6 Best Cat Eye Drops in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Nicole Cosgrove

Last Updated on February 23, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

6 Best Cat Eye Drops in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

VET APPROVED

Dr. Marta Vidal-Abarca Photo

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Marta Vidal-Abarca

Veterinarian, BVSc GPCert (Ophthal) MRCVS

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more »

vet applying eye drops to cat's eyes Does your kitty have problems with their eyes, requiring a little extra help? Eye problems can spawn from various causes, which can be irritating or painful to our feline companions. So, as a good pet owner, you want to make things a little less troubling for them.

To help you out, we took the liberty of uncovering six great eye drop products to consider and wrote detailed reviews about them. These eye drops are good for lubrication, protection, and to relieve minor discomfort in eye problems already checked by your veterinarian. As always, contact your vet whenever you notice any abnormality to your cat’s eyes before attempting to treat any condition yourself.

Minor eye issues can escalate quickly to more severe eye problems, even leading to blindness. The following products are not intended to replace your veterinarian’s treatment but to help keep your cat’s eyes clean or hydrated. Remember to ask your vet before using any product on your cat’s eyes.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Dr. Goodpet Eye-C Dog and Cat Eye Drops Dr. Goodpet Eye-C Dog and Cat Eye Drops
  • Lubricates
  • Excellent for most pets
  • Great for mild irritations
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Professional Pet Products Eye-Safe Cat Eye Protection Professional Pet Products Eye-Safe Cat Eye Protection
  • Affordable
  • Shields eyes
  • Multi-pet use
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    OcluVet Eye Drops for Pets OcluVet Eye Drops for Pets
  • Suitable for cats and dogs
  • Convenient easy to use tube
  • Contains two hydrating ingredients
  • Vetericyn Eye Wash Vetericyn Eye Wash
  • Antimicrobial
  • Great for multiple pets
  • Flushes and protects the eyes
  • Ocunovis Cat Gel Eye Drops Ocunovis Cat Gel Eye Drops
  • Long lasting
  • Easy to control
  • Perfect consistency
  • The 6 Best Eye Drops for Cats

    1. Dr. Goodpet Eye-C Dog and Cat Eye Drops – Best Overall

    Dr. Goodpet Eye-C Dog and Cat Eye Drops

    Amount: 1 fluid ounces
    Purpose: Soothing Solution

    If you want to know the product we found the most useful, it’s Dr. Goodpet Eye-C Dog and Cat Eye Drops. It was our pick for the best overall cat eye drops because we think that it can be useful for most cats out there that don’t suffer from a specific eye condition.

    This solution is completely natural and made with high-quality vitamin C and zinc. It is meant to offer relief from uncomfortable issues like dry eye and minor eye irritations. It can be excellent for staining and other common eye issues, too.

    The application is super simple. It comes with a convenient dropper to make the administration a breeze. We love the overall user-friendliness and effectiveness. This homeopathic formula was made right here in the US. However, these drops may not be able to be used for treating specific eye conditions, so it’s best to consult a veterinarian if you need eye drops for a specific purpose.

    Pros
    • Excellent for most pets
    • Lubricates
    • Great for mild irritations
    Cons
    • Not for specific eye conditions

    2. Professional Pet Products Eye-Safe Cat Eye Protection – Best Value

    Professional Pet Products Eye-Safe Cat Eye Protection

    Amount: 4 fluid ounces
    Purpose: Provides an ophthalmic barrier

    If you’re looking to save some cash but want to get a quality product for your cat, try out Professional Pet Products Eye-Safe Cat Eye Protection. It’s the best eye drops for cats for the money. We think you’ll appreciate the price especially if your cat just needs basic eye protection.

    These drops are designed to protect the eye, forming a barrier. The barrier prevents any wind, dirt, debris, or other irritants from bothering the area. You can use this on virtually any furry family member, too. It is compatible with ferrets, dogs, and cats!

    It is designed to keep shampoo and other irritants out of the eyes during grooming, bathing, and outdoor activities. It can also help if your pet has an outdoor environmental allergy. However, like our top choice, this product does not treat eye infections and other specific eye conditions.

    Pros
    • Shields eyes
    • Affordable
    • Multi-pet use
    Cons
    • Not for treating specific eye conditions

    3. Optixcare Eye Lube Plus – Premium Choice

    Optixcare Eye Lube Plus

     

    Amount: 0.7 ounces tube
    Purpose: Lubricates, Protects

    Optixcare Eye Lube Plus lubricating gel provides long-lasting lubrication to cats’ eyes thanks to its dual formula. It contains carbomer gel and hyaluron, a key component of many artificial tear fluids. This eye lube is easy to administer and clinically proven to work.

    Optixcare eye lube is designed to keep your pet’s dry eyes soothed and moisturized. They are designed for veterinary use, so your pet will benefit from a premium product.

    If you’re looking for an eye ointment that offers more than just a little lubrication, this is certainly an exceptional choice. But it’s best to consult a vet before use, as they might not be necessary for every pet. They are also pricey.

    Pros
    • Contains two hydrating ingredients
    • Suitable for cats and dogs
    • Convenient easy to use tube
    Cons
    • Pricey
    • Might not work for every pet

    4. Vetericyn Eye Wash

    Vetericyn Eye Wash

    Amount: 3 fluid ounces
    Purpose: Eye wash

    If you want a premium product for basic eye cleaning and/or irritation, we think you might be interested in Vetericyn Eye Wash. It consists of an eye wash that contains hypochlorous acid to protect the eyes and keep them debris-free.

    The eye wash is specially formulated to soothe irritation and remove any foreign materials that could get into your pet’s eyes. This gentle wash will remove any obstructions without burning or causing pain to your cat. Plus, this wash may help prevent tear stains.

    Not only is it good for cats, but it is also marketed to help multiple animal species like rats, gerbils, ferrets, degus, guinea pigs, chinchillas, mice, and rabbits. But again, this product may not be effective at treating certain eye conditions.

    Pros
    • Antimicrobial
    • Flushes and protects the eyes
    • Great for multiple species
    Cons
    • May not be effective at treating some eye conditions

    5. Ocunovis Cat Gel Eye Drops

    Ocunovis Cat Gel Eye Drops

    Amount: 5 mL
    Purpose: Lubrication

    If you’re looking for fast relief, check out Ocunovis Cat Gel Eye Drops. These long-lasting lubricants are easy to apply and do their job pretty well.

    You can use these drops twice a day for optimal results. However, the frequency of application will depend on the severity of your pet’s eye dryness. Follow your vet’s advice for optimal results. This brand is marketed to deliver long-lasting eye lubrication.

    The entire concept is to create a sheer, thin layer of protection that won’t cause blurry vision. We love the consistency of this particular brand as it is not too watery or thick, making it virtually mess-free.

    It can be a little tricky to apply at first. Some people have had issues getting it to come out, but once it was fixed—all was well!

    Pros
    • Perfect consistency
    • Long lasting
    • Easy to control
    Cons
    • For treating dry eye only
    • Hard to get drops to come out

    6. Curicyn Pink Eye Solution

    Curicyn Pink Eye Solution

     

    Amount: 3 fluid ounces
    Purpose: Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

    Curicyn Pink Eye Solution is pretty specific. These eye drops are explicitly designed to get rid of conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. Pink eye can be an extremely irritating issue for your pet to deal with.

    This is a non-toxic, steroid, and antibiotic-free formula that will safely and effectively take care of the problem. This is an extra-strength formula, so certainly use it as directed on the label.

    The solution is completely pH-balanced for pets, and you should see results within 2 to 3 days. Because pink eye can be caused by another underlying condition, keep in mind that these drops will only help relieve the symptoms of pink eye itself but will not treat the underlying condition. It’s best to consult a vet before use if you think your cat has pink eye, as they may prefer you to use a different product depending on your cat’s symptoms.

    Pros
    • Helps combat symptoms of pink eye
    • Antibiotic and steroid-free
    • Extra strength
    Cons
    • Not for general use
    • Will not treat an underlying condition causing the pink eye

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    Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Eye Drops

    If you invest your money into eye drops, you’ll want them to work the first time around. Before you make your final purchase, here are a couple things about cat eye drops to consider.

    What Are Some Reasons to Use Eye Drops for Your Cat?

    Cats can use eye drops for numerous reasons. Here are a few key areas that many formulas help with. Of course, each one of them is formulated for a different purpose so always make sure you’re buying the correct type.

    Protection 

    Some eye drops are designed to protect the eye from outside irritants. Whether your pet has outdoor allergies or you’re giving them a bath and don’t want to get shampoo in their eyes, certain eye drops form a necessary layer over top of the eye to prevent anything else from getting in.

    Symptomatic Relief

    If your cat has pink eye or is recovering from some other infection, getting eye drops is a perfect way to help soothe those annoying symptoms.

    Infections 

    Generally, for more serious infections, a prescription from your veterinarian will be required. However, many eye drops are prescribed every day to cats that suffer from bacterial or fungal infections.

    Inflammation

    Inflammation can be a real issue. As our pets age, they might get certain health conditions like glaucoma or retinal damage that can cause chronic dry eye, inflammation, and irritation. Certain drops are designed to soothe these symptoms and get your pet’s eyes back into working order.

    treating cat eyes with eyedrops
    Image Credit: Ilike, Shutterstock

    Always Check with Your Vet

    Before ever taking matters into your own hands, receiving the correct diagnosis from your vet is crucial. Your cat might have a more complicated issue than you’re aware of. They may need to run tests or examine the eye to conclude the root cause.

    Buy for the Particular Issue

    If you’ve described what is wrong with your pet, they’ve likely given you tips on how to help them as well. Ensure you follow any advice they have given and buy a product designed to assist with that particular issue.

    For example, some eye drops may be medicated while others are simply lubricating. You will want to pay close attention to how it can help your cat so you can ease the issue and not give them unnecessary ingredients that they do not need.

    Types

    There are a few different options for medicated and unmedicated over-the-counter eye lubricants:

    Eyewashes 

    Eyewashes are generally very thin and designed to flush the eye of any debris.

    Eye Drops

    Eye drops are generally designed in such a bottle that you can gently place the lubricating drops into the eye.

    Prescription Eye Drops 

    Some infections require prescription eye drops to remove the problem. As you can see, we didn’t list any prescription eye drops in our reviews.

    That is because many products do require a prescription from a vet because they are designed to treat a medically diagnosed condition. We would hate to recommend a product and a general description without understanding your specific pet’s underlying conditions.

    So, if your pet has an infection or other problem that requires medical treatment, you’re going to have to get them to your vet. Luckily, Chewy offers prescription-based purchases, permitting you show them the prescription from the veterinarian.

    a person getting eye drops into the cat's eyes
    Image Credit: OlegKovalevichh, Shutterstock

    Check Ingredients

    Always make sure to check the ingredients on the label. Pets can be very sensitive to certain additives, so it’s best to quickly sweep the bottle you’ve chosen. If your pet has any known allergies or seems to be irritated by a specific ingredient, steer clear of the brand and ask your vet for other recommendations.

    Test First

    If you’re using a product for the first time and you’re unsure how your pet will react, test the product first. Only use a very small amount in one eye and see how your pet reacts. You can use the product if there is no significant cause for concern.

    However, contact your vet if your pet shows any signs of irritation, allergic reaction, or other potentially worrying symptoms.

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    Conclusion

    Dr. Goodpet Eye-C Dog and Cat Eye Drops are fabulous for everyday protection. We love how easy they are to use and think most pet parents could find improvement with these drops. Remember, these drops are not medicated.

    Professional Pet Products Eye-Safe Cat Eye Protection is an affordable product that can relieve your cat eye. Of all these seven reviews, we hope you have found the one that works best for your pet!


    Featured Image Credit: Maria Sbytova, Shutterstock

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