Cats are known for their mysterious behavior and unique personalities. They are independent creatures that often keep to themselves, making it difficult for humans to understand their emotions. However, one thing that is common among all cats is their ability to cry.
When it comes to cats, we know that they communicate with us in various ways. However, their way of crying often causes confusion and concerns among cat owners. Even though they don’t shed tears like humans, cats exhibit certain behaviors that might indicate they are in distress or need attention. In this article, we will explore what it means when cats cry and how we can recognize their cries.
The Science of Cat Tears
Why Do Cats Cry?
Crying is a natural response that helps animals and humans to release stress, pain, or discomfort. Cats’ tears serve the same purpose as humans. When a cat’s eyes tear up, it means that their eyes are irritated or infected. Tears help to flush out dust, dirt, or debris from the eyes, preventing infections.
Do Cats Cry Emotional Tears?
Although cats cry when they are in pain or discomfort, they do not shed emotional tears like humans. Emotional tears contain hormones that are not present in cats. Therefore, when a cat is crying, it is not because they are sad or emotional. It is an involuntary response to a physical stimulus.
Reasons Why Cats Cry
Eye Irritation or Infection
Eye irritation or infection is the most common reason why cats cry. Dust, dirt, and other foreign particles can get into a cat’s eyes, causing irritation. The cat’s eyes will tear up to flush out the foreign particles, causing the cat to cry.
Allergies
Cats, just like humans, can suffer from allergies. Allergies can cause the cat’s eyes to become itchy and inflamed, resulting in tears.
Corneal Ulcers
Corneal ulcers are open sores that develop on the cat’s cornea, the clear layer at the front of the eye. Corneal ulcers can be caused by infections, injuries, or scratches on the eye. These ulcers can be very painful and cause the cat to cry.
Blocked Tear Ducts
Cats have small tear ducts that can easily become blocked. When the tear ducts are blocked, the tears cannot drain, causing the cat’s eyes to tear up excessively.
Signs That Your Cat is Crying
Cats are very good at hiding their emotions, making it difficult for their owners to know when they are crying. However, there are some signs that you can look out for to know when your cat is crying:
- Excessive tearing
- Squinting or blinking frequently
- Pawing at the eyes
- Redness or swelling around the eyes
- Discharge from the eyes
If you notice any of these signs, it is essential to take your cat to the vet for a checkup.
The key takeaway from this text is that while cats are known for their mysterious behavior, their ability to cry is a natural response to physical stimuli such as eye irritation, infections, allergies, corneal ulcers, and blocked tear ducts. It is important to understand that cats do not cry emotional tears like humans as they do not have the necessary hormones. Owners should look out for signs such as excessive tearing, squinting, and pawing at their eyes to identify when their cat is crying. Taking precautions such as keeping their environment clean and using cat-friendly products can help prevent eye irritation and discomfort in cats. Understanding your cat’s emotions through their body language, vocalizations, and behavior can also help identify when something is wrong and take the necessary steps to take care of them.
