Allergy eye drops can be necessary and helpful if your cat is experiencing itchy, watery or irritated eyes due to allergies or an infection. Human eye drops are readily available and may seem like a quick fix for your cat's eye problems. It's not recommended, however, to use over-the-counter eye drops designed for humans in a cat's eye, because these drops contain chemicals which can be harmful and cause additional problems. Cat's eyes are designed a bit differently from ours, and there are eye drops on the market made especially for cats. You can also research at-home, natural or homeopathic remedies that may solve the problem of cat eye allergies.
Cat Allergy Eye Drops
Many people get away with giving human allergy eye drops to a cat with eye problems. You may not be able to see the immediate effects that these have on a cat's eye. Chemicals that are contained in brands like Visine and Clear Eyes have not likely been tested on animals and should therefore be avoided. If you're looking for allergy eye drops for your cat, it's best to check your local pet store, or the pet section at the grocery or health food store. Cat eye drops are designed specifically with the cat's delicate eye in mind. If your veterinarian has recommended an eye drop that requires a prescription and you're looking for a cheaper alternative, you may benefit from checking into helpful solutions that can be made at home.
At-Home Remedies
Many at-home remedies are available and can either act as a replacement for medicated allergy eye drops, or may work in conjunction with them. A simple saline solution can be prepared from dissolving 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a pint of distilled water. This can be helpful for cleaning eye discharge caused by allergic reaction and may provide some relief for burning or itchy eyes. If you have discovered different herbal tinctures which are helpful for eye allergies in cats, you may add them to this saline solution, as well.
Homeopathics
Homeopathic remedies have been used for centuries and work by carefully matching herbal and mineral ingredients with symptoms that are occurring. Homeopathy doesn't simply alleviate symptoms, but treats underlying conditions which may be causing symptoms. Since these are all-natural and safe, you can use them in conjunction with any allergy eye drops that you've found to be helpful. The drops can alleviate symptoms, while homeopathics can treat the cause.
Administration of Cat Allergy Eye Drops
It can often be difficult to administer allergy eye drops to a cat. No matter which way works best for you, always be sure never to touch the eyeball. Allow the solution you're using to drip into the eye. You can dip a clean finger into the solution, use an eyedropper or submerse a cotton ball and squeeze. You may need two people for this job, depending upon the cat's disposition, and you might benefit from wrapping the cat in a towel or setting him or her on a slippery surface, such as the table or a washing machine. This can help prevent getaway for a short period of time.