The dilation of your cat’s eyes can be normal.
The eyes mostly dilate to allow light, especially at night or in dark rooms with poor lighting.
Your pet’s eyes can also dilate due to excitement, fear, or when hurt.
But for these reasons, the dilation should end in a few minutes to hours.
Similarly, when you notice constant dilation of your cat’s pupils, it is important to consult a qualified vet to check on it.
Again, it may be having an underlying issue of which you may not be aware.
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4 Reasons Why Your Cat’s Eyes Are Constantly Dilated
During a normal day, your cat’s pupil should be in a normal state.
However, when dilation remains constant during the day and night, it is a clear sign of an underlying condition which may be:
1) Poor Vision or Loss of Sight
As cats grow older, they tend to have poor vision.
It makes their pupils constantly dilate to allow them to absorb enough light.
It may also occur in younger cats, and the loss of sight may be temporary or permanent.
Apart from dilation, check for the signs below to know whether the animal is losing its sight:
• Afraid of sudden noises
• Facing whiskers on the ground while moving
• Unable to locate a water source
• Constantly knocking unfamiliar objects
What to do
• Announce your presence in the room by stamping your feet
• Provide a clear path to food or water sources
• Talk to your pet softly to comfort it
• Avoid loud noises
2) Pain
Chronic pain can be a reason why the pupils remain dilated throughout the day.
Most cats shy away from expressing their pain; hence will sleep throughout.
To identify whether it is due to pain, look for the following signs:
• Poor eating habit
• Aggressive
• Resistant to grooming and petting
Older cats tend to suffer from arthritis which is manageable through massage and nutritional supplements.
In addition, mouth odour can be a sign of dental pain, which indicates underlying issues.
3) Hypertension
Hypertension is the most common reason why your cat’s pupils are always large.
Hypertension comes when your cat’s blood pressure is higher than normal, which is 120/70.
Older cats, overweight and obese cats tend to suffer from hypertension.
Unfortunately, animal experts can only notice it by looking at the cat’s eyes.
Therefore, it is important to take your cat to the vet since hypertension is usually a secondary sign of an already existing problem.
Once the cat is put on drugs, the eyes might remain dilated because of the effects of the drugs.
4) Food Toxins or Poisoning
Poisoned cats will always have their pupils dilated.
Other signs to show you that the cat has consumed contaminated food include:
• Tremors
• Poor appetite
• Reduced body temperature
• Less active
• Increased breathing rate
• Diarrhea and vomiting
In case of poisoning, call your animal expert immediately. The experts will administer drugs to help flush out the poison from the cat’s body.
Do not employ any home remedy without expert advice.
That’s Why Your Cats Eyes Are Dilated
Pupil dilation in cats can be a normal phenomenon, especially at night.
However, if the dilation persists during the day, it should be clear that things aren’t normal.
Excitement and mild pain can make your cat’s eyes dilate, but this will end in a few hours as the pain reduces.
As mentioned previously, prolonged dilation is a sign of hypertension, chronic pain, poisoning, and poor vision.
Therefore, it is important to consult your pet’s doctor when you notice any change in behaviors on your pet.
