If you are a cat parent, you may have seen your feline companion with watery eyes at some point, which has caused you to wonder: do cats cry like humans do?
While those glistening eyes might tug at your heartstrings and make you wonder if your cat is expressing their emotions through tears, the science behind feline 'crying' is very different from the human equivalent. Understanding whether cats truly cry, how they express emotions, and what those watery eyes actually mean is crucial for every pet parent who wants to ensure their furry friend's health and well-being.
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Can Cats Cry
Scientifically, cats don't cry tears when they feel upset, like humans do. While cats do have tear ducts and can physically produce tears, they don't cry emotional tears. Humans are the only creatures who let their emotions leak out of their eyes in the form of tears. For other animals, watery eyes are not a sign of emotional extremes, such as happiness or sadness, but are commonly a health-related issue.
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Research shows that cats indeed have emotions, and they are capable of recognising emotions in their companions as well. That said, they don't express them in the same way humans do, though. Instead of weeping in sadness, cats rely on a complex system of vocalisations, body language, and behavioural cues to communicate their feelings to both other cats and their humans.
As Dr. Ashley Saffire, DVM, explains in this Reader’s Digest article: “If you see tears in your cat’s eye, there’s definitely something going on. It just may not be what you think…I see a lot of cats come in with eye discharge or excessive tearing,…, but it’s definitely not because your cat is sad.”
How Do Cats Cry
Cats express their emotions and distress levels through several distinct methods that don’t involve emotional tears:
Vocalisations
Cats typically express their emotions using various vocalisations. Cats, unlike dogs, make over a hundred different vocalisations. Cat crying sounds include:
Body Language
Subtle body postures or movements are another way your cat may communicate their emotional state to you. A cat getting bothered might start flicking its tail to indicate it’s growing irritated. Cats who feel stressed or anxious can hide or tuck their bodies tight. Additional body language signs include:
- Posture Changes: Sad or stressed cats often adopt a crouched position with their heads down
- Tail Position: A low-hanging tail typically indicates distress or fear
- Eye Dilation: Dilated pupils can signal stress, excitement, or medical issues
- Ear Position: Ears pulled flat can indicate fear, while ears pulled forward indicate curiosity or interest
- Hiding Behavior: Withdrawing from social interaction is a common stress response
Behavioral Changes
When cats experience emotional distress, they often exhibit changes in their normal routines:
- Appetite Changes: Loss of interest in food is a common indicator of stress or sadness
- Grooming Habits: Both over-grooming and under-grooming can signal emotional distress
- Sleep Patterns: Sleeping more or less than usual may indicate underlying issues
- Litter Box Usage: Changes in bathroom habits often indicate stress or health problems
Why Is My Cat Crying
If you notice your cat producing actual tears (not just vocalizing), studies indicate that you'll assume it's sadness when, in fact, the cause of the problem is more likely to be medical rather than emotional. Here are some potential causes of watery eyes in cats:
Medical Causes of Watery Eyes
Eye Infections: Redness and swelling, along with a watery discharge, indicate a good chance of having conjunctivitis. You may know it by its nickname, pinkeye. This is the most common eye problem in cats and typically the cause of any watering. Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can all lead to excessive tearing.
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- Allergies: Like their humans, cats are also prone to allergies, which can cause their eyes to tear and run. Common environmental allergens include pollen, dust mites, certain foods, cleaning products, and other substances that can cause irritation. “Try a warm compress to gently clean [their] eyes,” says Master-Ad-2191on Reddit.
- Blocked Tear Ducts: Caused by a blockage of the nasolacrimal duct, which drains tears from the eyes to the nose. When these ducts are blocked, tears cannot drain properly and overflow onto the face.
- Foreign Objects: Small particles, such as dust, dirt, or debris, can irritate your cat's eyes, causing them to produce excess tears in an attempt to flush themselves clean.
- Breed-Related Issues: Certain cat breeds, such as Persians and Exotic Shorthairs, are prone to eye abnormalities due to the shape of their faces. Shorter facial structures can lead to poor drainage and chronic tearing issues.
Emotional Reason for Vocal Crying
While tears are not related to emotions, cats cry out vocally for various emotional and practical reasons:
- Attention Seeking: Cats learn early that certain vocalisations get their humans' attention, food, or affection
- Loneliness or Separation Anxiety: If you’ve installed a Petcube Cam 360 only to find your cat crying when you leave, they could be experiencing separation anxiety
- Mating Behaviors: Females in heat often yowl to attract males
- Age-Related Changes: Feline cognitive disease is like dementia in humans and can often cause older cats to become confused and cry out for help
- Pain or Discomfort: It’s estimated that over 95% of cats over 10 years old have arthritis. Your senior cat may be crying out to let you know they’re in pain.
Final Thoughts
While cats don’t shed emotional tears like humans, they are incredibly expressive animals with complex emotional lives. There are several emotional reasons your cat might cry out in their way, but when you see actual tears, it's more than likely a sign of a medical issue.
The key to being a great pet parent is to take note of your pet's normal behaviors and note any changes. When in doubt, always consult your veterinarian to ensure your fluffy feline is living its best, healthiest life.
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