# Cat Scratched an Eye: What to Do Right Now If your cat scratched your eye, flush it gently with saline or clean water right away and get medical attention the same day, because cat scratches can drive bacteria deep into the eye. If your cat scratched her own eye, keep her from pawing at it and call your veterinarian today. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - For a scratch on your own eye: flush with saline or clean running water for several minutes, do not rub it, and go to urgent care or an emergency room the same day. - For a scratch on your cat's eye: do not touch the eye or apply human drops, and call your vet for a same-day appointment. - Any scratch that penetrates the eye is an emergency for people and pets, since deep injuries can lead to serious infection [1]. - Watch for redness, swelling, pain, discharge, or a cloudy spot on the eye, which can mean infection is starting. - Wash your hands after handling the cat, and clean any skin scratches with soap and water. ## What a Cat Eye Scratch Looks Like A cat eye scratch can look different depending on whether the scratch is on a person or on the cat. ### If your cat scratched your eye You may feel sharp pain, a gritty or sandy sensation, tearing, or sensitivity to light. The white of your eye may look red, and your vision may be blurry or hazy. Sometimes the pain fades after a few minutes and you assume you are fine. That can be misleading. A scratch can leave a break in the clear surface of the eye that lets bacteria in, even when the pain settles down. ### If your cat scratched her own eye Cats hide eye pain well. Common signs include squinting, holding the eye partly or fully closed, pawing at the face, excessive tearing, redness, or a cloudy or bluish tint over the eye. Some cats rub their face along furniture or avoid bright rooms. You may also see a swollen third eyelid, the thin membrane that slides across the inner corner of the eye. A mild scratch may heal on its own, but you cannot tell the depth of a scratch just by looking. That is why an exam matters. ## Main Causes of a Cat Eye Scratch Most cat eye scratches come from a claw, either from another cat or from the cat's own paw. Here is a quick guide to the common situations. | Cause | Typical clues | How urgent | |---|---|---| | Human scratched by a cat | Sharp pain, tearing, redness, a visible scratch on the eye surface | Same-day medical care | | Cat scratched by another cat | Squinting, watery eye, recent fight or hissing match | Same-day vet visit | | Cat scratched its own eye while grooming or scratching | Pawing at the face, redness, discharge, known allergies or ear itch | Same-day vet visit | | Foreign object under the eyelid | Tearing, blinking, a claw or debris may be hidden | Emergency, since objects can stay hidden for days [2] | | Infection after a scratch | Swelling, pus, cloudy eye, worsening pain, fever | Emergency | A cat claw can carry bacteria deep into tissue. In people, cat scratches are a known route for Bartonella henselae, the bacteria that causes cat scratch disease, which can show up as fever and swollen lymph nodes about a week or more after contact [3]. Eye involvement from this infection is uncommon but serious, and it can appear as inflammation inside the eye instead of a simple surface scratch [4]. Rare infections are possible too. One report described a fungal eye infection after a cat scratch penetrated the eye, and it took molecular testing to identify the organism [1]. That case shows why a deep scratch deserves real medical attention, not just a wait-and-see approach. If your cat is scratching at itself hard enough to injure the eye, the underlying itch matters too. Our guide to [Cat Scratching Its Ears Raw: What to Do Right Now](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/skin-allergy-and-ear-care/cat-scratching-ears-raw-what-to-do) covers the allergy and ear side of that problem. ## Red Flags That Make This an Emergency Get emergency care right away, for yourself or your cat, if you see any of these. - The scratch went into the eyeball itself, or you can see a cut, hole, or leaking fluid. - Vision is suddenly worse, or your cat bumps into things. - The eye is swelling shut, or there is heavy pus or bloody discharge. - There is severe pain that is getting worse instead of better. - A claw or other object may be stuck in or around the eye. In one pediatric case, a cat claw stayed hidden near the inner corner of the eye and came out 11 days later, even though the first emergency visit found no foreign body [2]. - You or your cat develop fever, chills, or swollen lymph nodes after a scratch [3]. - The eye looks cloudy, or the pupil looks different from the other side. For a person, an eye scratch with any of these signs means go now, not tomorrow. For a cat, the same rule applies. Eye damage can progress in hours. ## What to Do if My Cat Scratched My Eye This is the part most people search for, so here are the steps in order. ### Step 1: Flush the eye Use sterile saline if you have it. If not, clean, lukewarm running water works. Let it run over the open eye for several minutes. This helps remove bacteria and debris. Do not rub the eye, and do not press on it. ### Step 2: Do not use leftover drops Do not reach for old antibiotic drops, redness-reducing drops, or anything else in the medicine cabinet. Some drops can make an eye injury worse. Let a clinician decide what goes in your eye. ### Step 3: Cover it lightly if needed If light hurts, sunglasses or a loose clean cloth over the closed eye can help while you travel. Do not tape anything tightly over the eye. ### Step 4: Get seen the same day Go to urgent care, an emergency room, or an eye clinic. Tell them a cat scratched your eye, since that detail changes how they evaluate infection risk. A clinician can check the eye surface with a stain and a special light, which shows scratches that are invisible to the naked eye. ### Step 5: Watch for infection afterward Follow the treatment plan you are given. Call back if pain, redness, or vision changes get worse. Cat scratch disease can take days to weeks to show up, and it may cause fever and swollen lymph nodes before or alongside eye symptoms [3]. ### What about the skin scratch? If the cat also scratched your skin, wash it with soap and warm water. Keep it covered and watch for redness, swelling, or pus. A scratch on the hand can injure deeper structures. One case described a nerve strand coming out through a small scratch on the back of the hand, which shows that even minor-looking scratches can reach deeper tissue [5]. ## What to Do if My Cat Scratched Her Eye If your cat scratched her own eye, your job is to prevent more damage and get her checked. - Do not touch the eye, and do not try to pull anything out of it. - Do not use human eye drops or leftover pet medications. - Keep her indoors and away from other cats. - If she keeps pawing at the face, a cone collar from a pet store can stop her until you see the vet. - Call your vet and describe what you see. Squinting that lasts more than a few hours needs an exam. Your vet will likely use a stain and a blue light to look for scratches on the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. Treatment often includes prescription drops or ointment, and sometimes pain relief. The dose and choice depend on your cat's weight and the depth of the injury, so your veterinarian sets that for your pet. If your cat has a history of eye redness or discharge, our article on [What Can You Do For Cat Conjunctivitis](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/what-can-you-do-for-cat-conjunctivitis) explains the difference between surface inflammation and a true scratch. ## What the Veterinarian Will Check and Test For your cat, the visit usually starts with a full eye exam. Your vet will check the eyelids, the cornea, the inside of the eye, and the pressure inside the eye. A fluorescein stain is the standard test for corneal scratches. It turns damaged areas green under a blue light. Your vet may also check for a foreign body under the eyelids, since claws and debris can hide there [2]. If the eye looks infected or the injury is deep, your vet may recommend blood tests or other imaging. In people, doctors sometimes use molecular testing when standard cultures do not identify the germ, as in the fungal infection case tied to a cat scratch [1]. For you, a clinician will do a similar exam. They may prescribe antibiotic drops or ointment, and they will tell you how often to use them. If cat scratch disease is suspected, treatment may include an antibiotic such as doxycycline, which was used successfully in one reported case after the diagnosis was confirmed [3]. Never start or stop an antibiotic on your own. ## How to Tell if My Cat Scratched Her Eye at Home You cannot confirm a scratch at home. What you can do is track signs and act on them. - Check the eye in good light twice a day. - Note whether the squinting is constant or only in bright light. - Look for discharge color. Clear tearing is less concerning than yellow or green pus. - Watch appetite and energy. A cat in eye pain often eats less. - Take a photo each day so you can compare. If things are not clearly improving within 24 hours, call your vet. If they are getting worse, go in right away. ## Prevention and Monitoring Most cat scratches are preventable with a few habits. - Keep your cat's nails trimmed. Ask your vet or a groomer to show you how to avoid the quick. - Play with toys, not hands. Hands should never be the target during play. - Separate cats that fight, and give each cat its own space and resources. - Treat itchy skin and ears early, since a scratching cat is more likely to catch its own eye. Our guide to [Cat Scratching Until Bleeding: Emergency or Manageable?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/skin-allergy-and-ear-care/cat-scratching-until-bleeding) can help you judge how serious self-scratching has become. - Wash your hands after contact with cats, and clean scratches on your skin right away. - Keep follow-up appointments. Eye injuries can look better before they are fully healed. If your cat has other sudden problems, such as vomiting blood, our article on [Cat Vomiting Blood: What to Do Right Now](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-vomiting-blood-what-to-do) covers that emergency. And if your cat swallows something it should not, see [My Cat Ate a Rubber Band: What Should I Do Right Now?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-ate-rubber-band-what-to-do). ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian No article can tell you how deep a scratch goes or whether an infection is starting. That takes an exam. Individual cases need a veterinarian, and for a scratch on your own eye, a human clinician. Contact your veterinarian the same day if your cat is squinting, tearing, or pawing at one eye, even if the eye looks normal to you. Go to an emergency clinic now if the eye is swollen shut, there is pus or blood, your cat cannot see, or you suspect something is stuck in the eye. For yourself, go to an emergency room now if the scratch penetrated the eye, your vision is changing, or the pain is severe. Go to urgent care the same day for any cat scratch to the eye, even a mild one. Call your doctor if fever or swollen lymph nodes appear in the days after a scratch [3]. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can a cat scratch to the eye cause blindness? It can, especially if the scratch penetrates the eye or infection sets in. In one reported human case, a fungal infection after a penetrating cat scratch led to limited visual recovery even with treatment [1]. Fast care gives the best chance of protecting vision. ### Should I put antibiotic drops in my eye before seeing a doctor? No. Do not use leftover or borrowed drops. Some drops are harmful to an injured eye, and the wrong choice can hide or worsen the problem. Let a clinician examine the eye first. ### How long does a cat eye scratch take to heal? It depends on the depth and whether infection develops. Surface scratches often improve within a few days with treatment, but deeper injuries take longer. Your veterinarian will set a recheck schedule based on what they find. ### Can I get sick from my cat scratching my skin, not my eye? Yes. Cat scratch disease is caused by Bartonella henselae, and cats are the main source of human infection, usually through scratches, bites, or licks [3]. Watch for fever and swollen lymph nodes in the weeks after a scratch and see a doctor if they appear. ### Is a cat scratch on the eye always an emergency? A scratch that only touches the surface may be handled with a same-day visit, but a scratch that penetrates the eye is an emergency [1]. Because you cannot judge depth at home, treat every eye scratch as urgent and get it checked. ## Related Articles - [Cat Scratching Its Ears Raw: What to Do Right Now](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/skin-allergy-and-ear-care/cat-scratching-ears-raw-what-to-do) - [Cat Vomiting Blood: What to Do Right Now](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-vomiting-blood-what-to-do) - [My Cat Ate a Rubber Band: What Should I Do Right Now?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-ate-rubber-band-what-to-do) - [Cat Scratching Until Bleeding: Emergency or Manageable?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/skin-allergy-and-ear-care/cat-scratching-until-bleeding) - [What Can You Do For Cat Conjunctivitis](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/what-can-you-do-for-cat-conjunctivitis) - [Cat Eye Injury: When to See a Vet Immediately](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-eye-injury-when-to-see-vet) - [Lump or Cyst on a Cat's Eyelid: What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/skin-allergy-and-ear-care/cat-lump-on-eyelid) - [Cat Bump on the Head, Nose, or Face: What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/cat-bump-on-head-face) - [Kitten Eyes Closed or Stuck Shut: What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/kitten-eyes-closed-stuck-shut) - [Bartonella henselae (Cat Scratch Disease): A Comprehensive Veterinary Reference](/knowledge/bacteria/pet-bacteria/bartonella-henselae) ## References 1. [First Case Report Of Letendraea helminthicola Endophthalmitis After Penetrating Ocular Trauma from a Cat Scratch](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41100551/). Ocular immunology and inflammation, 2025. 2. [Delayed removal of a cat claw from the caruncle of a pediatric patient](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41936928/). Journal of AAPOS : the official publication of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, 2026. 3. [Diagnosis of Cat-Scratch Disease by Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41915541/). Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.), 2026. 4. [Severe panuveitis - Uncommon presentation of cat scratch disease](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41929998/). Oman journal of ophthalmology, 2026. 5. [Cat Anatomist: Exteriorization of a Presumed Digital Nerve Fascicle Following a Cat Scratch Injury](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42723783/). Cureus, 2026. ## Further Reading - [American Veterinary Medical Association: First Aid Tips for Pet Owners](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergencycare/first-aid-tips-pet-owners) - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners) - [Cornell Feline Health Center: Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information)