Yes, cats can develop cataracts, and they happen for many of the same reasons they do in humans
Cataracts form in cats when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, blocking light from reaching the retina. A cat with a cataract may have a white or gray appearance in the pupil, or you might notice the eye looks hazy. Unlike humans, cats do not always show obvious signs of vision loss at first — they compensate well by relying on smell, hearing, and memory of their surroundings.
Cataracts in cats are less common than in dogs, but they do occur. The cloudiness can develop in one eye or both, and it can happen slowly over months or appear suddenly over days. A veterinarian can diagnose a cataract during a routine eye exam and determine whether it is affecting your cat's vision.
Key Takeaways
- Cataracts in cats cause cloudiness in the lens and can develop from age, diabetes, injury, or inflammation inside the eye.
- A white or gray appearance in the pupil is the most visible sign, though cats often hide vision loss until the cataract is advanced.
- Your veterinarian can confirm a cataract with an eye exam and discuss whether surgery is necessary based on how much vision is affected.
- Diabetes is the most common cause of cataracts in cats, so managing blood sugar through diet and medication can slow or prevent them.
- Not all cataracts require surgery — some cats live comfortably with partial vision loss, while others benefit from removal if the cataract blocks most light.
What causes cataracts in cats
Age is the most common cause. As cats grow older, the proteins in the lens break down and clump together, creating the cloudy appearance. This process is gradual and may not affect vision significantly for years.
Diabetes is the second major cause and often produces cataracts more suddenly. High blood sugar changes the chemistry of the lens, and cataracts can form within weeks in a diabetic cat. If your cat is overweight, older, or has a family history of diabetes, the risk is higher.
Injury or trauma to the eye can trigger cataract formation months or even years after the incident. Inflammation inside the eye from infection, uveitis, or other eye disease can also lead to cloudiness. In rare cases, kittens are born with cataracts due to infection or genetic factors during development.
Signs your cat may have a cataract
The most obvious sign is a white, gray, or cloudy appearance in the pupil or lens area. You might notice it first in bright light or when you shine a flashlight near the eye. The cloudiness may be in the center of the lens or around the edges.
Behavioral changes can also hint at vision loss. A cat with a cataract may bump into furniture, hesitate before jumping, move more slowly in dim light, or seem reluctant to navigate stairs. Some cats become more cautious or clingy. However, cats are skilled at hiding vision problems, so you may not see these signs until the cataract is fairly advanced.
If the cataract is in only one eye, you might notice nothing at all, since the other eye compensates. This is why regular veterinary checkups matter — your vet can spot early cataracts before your cat's behavior changes.
How a veterinarian diagnoses cataracts
Your veterinarian will examine the eye with an ophthalmoscope or slit lamp, tools that let them look closely at the lens and see the cloudiness clearly. They will also check your cat's overall eye health, test for signs of inflammation, and measure eye pressure to rule out glaucoma.
If your cat is older or overweight, your vet may recommend blood work to check for diabetes, since controlling blood sugar can slow cataract progression. They will ask about any recent eye injuries, changes in behavior, or other health problems.
Your vet will also assess how much the cataract is blocking light and affecting vision. This helps determine whether surgery is worth considering or whether your cat can manage with the vision they have.
Treatment options for cataracts in cats
Surgery to remove the cloudy lens is the only way to restore vision lost to a cataract. The procedure is performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist and involves removing the affected lens and sometimes implanting an artificial one. Recovery takes several weeks, and your cat will need eye drops and restricted activity during healing.
Surgery is most often recommended when the cataract is blocking a significant amount of light and your cat's quality of life is affected — for instance, if they are bumping into things or refusing to move around. It is less urgent if the cataract is small, in only one eye, or if your cat is managing well with their remaining vision.
If surgery is not an option or you choose not to pursue it, your cat can often live comfortably with partial vision loss. Keep their environment consistent, avoid moving furniture, use nightlights, and keep food and litter boxes in familiar spots. Many cats adapt well to reduced vision over time.
If diabetes is the cause, controlling blood sugar through diet, medication, or both can slow or even halt cataract progression. Some cats have seen early cataracts stabilize or improve slightly when diabetes is well managed.
Cost and recovery from cataract surgery
Cataract surgery in cats typically costs between $1,500 and $3,500 per eye, depending on your location, the veterinary hospital, and whether complications arise. This includes the surgery itself, anesthesia, pre-operative testing, and post-operative medications. Some veterinary insurance plans cover a portion of the cost if the policy includes eye procedures.
Recovery takes four to six weeks. Your cat will need to wear a cone to prevent rubbing the eye, use prescribed eye drops several times daily, and avoid jumping or rough play. Your vet will schedule follow-up exams to monitor healing and watch for complications like infection or inflammation.
Not all cats are good candidates for surgery. Very old cats, those with other serious health problems, or cats with severe inflammation inside the eye may have higher surgical risks. Your veterinary ophthalmologist will discuss whether surgery is safe and likely to improve your cat's vision.
Preventing cataracts in cats
You cannot prevent age-related cataracts, but you can reduce the risk of diabetes-related ones by keeping your cat at a healthy weight and feeding a diet appropriate for their age and health status. Obesity is a major risk factor for feline diabetes, so regular exercise and portion control matter.
Protect your cat's eyes from injury by keeping them indoors or supervising outdoor time, and by avoiding situations where they might be hit or scratched. If your cat has any eye inflammation or infection, have it treated promptly by your vet, since untreated inflammation can lead to cataracts.
Regular veterinary checkups — at least once a year for younger cats and twice a year for cats over seven — allow your vet to spot cataracts early and monitor their progression. If your cat is diabetic, tight blood sugar control is the best way to slow cataract development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a cat go blind from cataracts?
Yes, if a cataract becomes dense enough and covers the entire lens, it can block all light and cause blindness in that eye. However, this usually takes time, and most cats have some vision remaining until the cataract is very advanced. Cats with cataracts in both eyes are at higher risk of functional blindness, though they often adapt to reduced vision.
Do all cataracts in cats need surgery?
No. Surgery is recommended when the cataract is blocking enough light to affect your cat's quality of life and behavior. Small cataracts or those in only one eye may not require surgery if your cat is managing well. Your veterinarian can advise based on your cat's individual situation.
Can cataracts in cats be reversed without surgery?
No medication or eye drops can reverse a cataract once it has formed. However, if diabetes is the cause, controlling blood sugar may slow progression or prevent new cataracts from forming. Surgery is the only way to restore vision lost to an existing cataract.
How fast do cataracts develop in cats?
Age-related cataracts develop slowly over months or years. Diabetes-related cataracts can form much faster, sometimes within weeks. Cataracts from injury or inflammation vary in speed. Your vet can track progression during regular exams and let you know if changes are happening quickly.
Is cataract surgery safe for older cats?
Cataract surgery can be performed on older cats, but age alone does not disqualify them. Your vet will run pre-operative blood work and assess overall health to determine surgical risk. Many older cats recover well from the procedure if they are otherwise healthy.