A Cat’s Third Eyelid: Your Guide To The Nictitating Membrane

Cats, our feline companions have an extra pair of eyelids which remains hidden but show up occasionally. Ever wondered what it is? Well, It is a white pinkish membrane located at the corner of the eyes known as the nictitating membrane, which helps protect the eyes and keep them moisturized.

It’s completely normal to see the third eyelid when your cat is sleepy, waking up, yawning or blinking. It appears and retracts back at the inner corner of the eyes and is not something you should not be concerned about unless it remains visible after the cat is awake and relaxed.
Cat’s third eye keeps dust and debris out of it’s eyes. It may keep the eyes covered when the cat is asleep but should not be visible much when the cat is relaxed and awake, if it is visible constantly then it should be a sign of concern and may indicate any illness, disorder or any underlying health concern.
An elevated third eye may appear due to a number of causes such as -

• Dehydration or weakness.
• Anesthesia after effect or any neurological disorder.
• An eye infection, foreign obstruction or eye injury such as conjunctivitis, corneal ulcer, glaucoma, etc.
• Any virus or infection.
• Gastrointestinal issues(Haw’s syndrome).
• Prolapse of the third eyelid(Cherry eye)
• Neurological disorder(Horner’s syndrome)

If the third eye appears constantly, you should take your cat to a vet for diagnosis and treatment without any delay as this condition might be serious and may lead to blindness or any other health complication. Self medication or human eye drops should be avoided as it might cause more harm.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. What if cat third eye only showing in one eye?If the cat’s third eyelid keeps showing up even when the cat is relaxed, you should be concerned and should take the cat to the vet without any delay. Even if it’s only in one eye.
2. What to do if my cat’s third eyelid is stuck?You should immediately take your cat to the vet, as it can be a serious concern of infection, disease or any disorder. Avoid touching the eyelid as it can be painful or irritating for the cat.
3. Can worms cause a third eyelid in cats?Yes, worms can cause damage to the eyes, can cause stomach issues, weakness or any other issue that may trigger the third eyelid appearance.
4. Would a cat’s third eyelid go back to normal?Yes, it would go back to normal position, in case the third eyelid showed up when the cat was sleepy or recovering from sedation but in serious cases such as infection or disorder it may take medications or surgery for it to be back to normal.