Ask Dr. Paola – Eye Gunk, Dental Care & Pupils (January 5, 2026)
Welcome to our "Ask Dr. Paola" series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our readers better understand their cat's health and well-being.
Whether you're a new pet parent or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is here to provide answers to your most pressing questions. From nutrition tips and preventive care to troubleshooting common behavioral issues, Dr. Paola is ready to offer insights that will keep your kitty happy, healthy, and feline fine. Stay tuned for expert guidance on a range of topics that matter most to you and your cat, so you can make informed decisions and provide the best possible care for your furry companion.
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Help! How Do I Keep My Cat's Eyes Clean?
"My 11-year-old rescue cat is an orange female. We’ve shared a home for the past 7 years. For the past year, I have noticed that Harmony is no longer keeping the inside corners of her eyes clean. When I see those dried blackish scab-like things in the corners of her eyes, I try to remove them with my fingernail and a wet washcloth. I’m afraid that if I don’t remove them, they will fall into her eyes, but I am also concerned that I might scratch her. What is causing the eye dirt, and what is the best way to help her keep her eyes clean?"- Donna
Hello Donna,
Harmony sounds like such a special companion, and it is completely understandable to worry when you notice changes around her eyes. The dark, dried material you are seeing is usually a mix of tears and surface debris that oxidizes as it dries. As some cats age, they may groom this area a bit less, and small shifts in the tear film can allow discharge to accumulate. While this can be a normal age-related change, it is still important to watch for redness, persistent moisture, or increased blinking because these signs can indicate irritation or another underlying issue.
To keep Harmony comfortable, a gentle cleaning routine is much safer than trying to lift the debris with your fingernail. Using a sterile, preservative-free saline solution made for the eyes, moisten a soft cotton pad and rest it on the inner corner for a few seconds to soften the material. This makes it easy to wipe away without causing friction. If the buildup becomes more frequent or you begin noticing changes in her tearing or comfort, these are changes that should be reported to her veterinarian. For now, regular cleaning with saline is a kind and effective way to protect her sensitive eye tissues. I hope this helps!
Best,
- Dr. Paola
Help! My Cats Tooth Fell Out!
"My cat Evie is 17, and all around doing well. She goes to the vet annually, but we try to help her at home as much as we can in between the checkups. Yesterday, one of her teeth fell out... a tiny front one, but it was super surprising. What should we do???" - Cecilia
Dear Cecilia.
I can imagine how unsettling it was to find that tiny tooth, especially when Evie has been doing so well. In senior cats, a tooth falling out on its own is considered a clinically important change because a healthy tooth, even a small incisor, does not simply loosen and drop. Conditions such as advanced periodontal disease, tooth resorption, oral tumors, trauma, or systemic issues affecting bone and gum health are all documented causes in veterinary dentistry. Cats are remarkably skilled at hiding oral discomfort, so even if she is eating and acting normally, she may still be experiencing changes that deserve prompt attention.
At this point, a veterinary evaluation is the appropriate next step so her mouth can be examined carefully and the clinician can determine whether imaging or treatment is needed. This supports her overall well-being and helps prevent the quiet progression of oral disease, which is unfortunately very common in senior cats.
Kind regards,
- Dr. Paola
Help! My Cats Has One Pupil That Dilates Bigger Than the Other!
"My cat Trixie has one pupil that dilates quite big and the other only a little bit. She's 2 years old. Seems like she can see no problem. Should we take her to be seen by the vet or watch out for other signs/symptoms? "- Jackson
Hey Jackson,
Noticing one pupil larger than the other can be alarming, and you are right to pay close attention. Uneven pupil size, called anisocoria, can appear harmless at first, yet in veterinary medicine, it is treated as an important clinical sign because it can be linked to conditions involving the eye itself or the nervous system. Even when a young cat like Trixie seems to see normally, underlying issues such as ocular inflammation, retinal disease, or neurologic changes can be present without obvious discomfort.
Because the eyes are so delicate and the causes of anisocoria vary widely, this is not something to watch and wait. Her eyes need to be examined with proper equipment and lighting. Early assessment helps protect her vision and ensures that anything needing treatment is identified promptly. You are doing the right thing by taking this seriously, and with timely attention, most causes can be addressed in a way that keeps Trixie comfortable and safe.
- Dr. Paola
This article is a part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola series
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Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ (Veterinarian)
Dr. Paola Cuevas is the Senior In-House Veterinarian at Pangolia, the parent company of Catster. She has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian and animal behaviorist. Paola's focus is on preventive medicine and animal welfare. Paola has a large range of skills in from diagnostic imaging to nutrition and clinical pathology. Paola enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge of animal training with our Catster readers and is always happy to answer reader questions as our in-house veterinarian.
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