Cataracts may affect one eye or both eyes and are triggered by aging, injury, inflammation, disease and other non-specific causes. When the cat’s eye becomes cloudy, light is hindered from reaching the retina, and visual impairment ensues. In addition to visual impairment or total blindness, cataracts may also cause stress, irritation, and discomfort in some cats as they struggle physically and emotionally with the loss of their sight. 

If you look into your cat’s eyes and see a cloudy or milky area, your cat may be developing cataracts. A cataract is a degenerative disorder of the lens of the eye that affects vision. You may notice your cat behaving differently as its vision becomes more impaired. In some cases, your cat may only have a small cataract that is barely noticeable. In severe cases, the whole lens will take on an opaque appearance and blindness will occur. Cataracts are a progressive disease and need immediate veterinary care.

In the early stages of cataracts, you may not notice any unusual symptoms in your cat. Often, your veterinarian is the first person to alert you to the problem during your cat’s annual wellness visit. Early intervention will help to stem the growth of the cataract and preserve your cat's sight. As the cataracts grow larger, you’ll eventually see a change in the appearance of the cat’s eye. A cloudy, milky spot will appear that can grow to cover the entire lens. You may notice your cat has one or all of these physical or behavioral symptoms: 

Cataracts develop in cats for many reasons, and sometimes, the reason for your cat’s cataracts remains unknown. Some cats carry the DNA that makes them more likely to develop cataracts while other cats may acquire cataracts in their later years due to the aging process, just like humans. Reasons why cats develop cataracts include the following triggers:

At your cat’s annual wellness appointment, your veterinarian will examine your cat’s eyes for visual signs of cataracts. It may be necessary to dilate your cat’s eyes to get a better look at the internal structure of the eye. Your veterinarian will take a detailed history of your cat’s health and observe how your cat responds to visual stimuli. Your cat may be placed on the floor to see if it is able to avoid impediments and walk with a normal gait. One or all of the following may be required:

Your veterinarian will create a treatment plan that is best suited for your cat depending upon your cat’s general health, the severity of the cataracts, and the location of the cataracts. The earlier cataracts are noticed, the easier it will be to stop the progression of the disease.

The recovery period for cataracts in cats depends upon how the cataract is treated. Cats who are on medicines and eye drops will need to be checked frequently. Your veterinarian will evaluate and measure the improvement in your cat’s sight by examining its eyes and noting any shrinkage in the size of the cataract.

If your cat requires surgery, you will need to set up post-surgery appointments to ensure your cat is healing properly. These appointments are as crucial as the eye surgery in returning or improving your cat’s sight. Your veterinarian will decide if or when it’s necessary to use an Elizabethan collar to keep your cat from injuring the affected eye or eyes. Medications may need to be adjusted, and monitoring the effects of medical or surgical treatment is imperative.

Cataracts in cats can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your cat is at risk of developing cataracts, start searching for pet insurance today. Brought to you by Pet Insurer, Wag! Wellness lets pet parents compare insurance plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Embrace. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!