Yes, cats develop cataracts much like humans do
Cats get cataracts, and the condition works the same way it does in people: the lens in the eye becomes cloudy, blocking light from reaching the retina. A cat with a cataract will have a white or gray appearance in the pupil, sometimes visible only in certain light. The cloudiness can develop in one eye or both, and it can progress slowly or quickly depending on the cause.
The difference between cats and humans is that cats are often diagnosed later. A cat won't tell you their vision is blurry, and the cloudiness can be subtle at first. Many owners notice it only during a routine vet visit or when the cat starts bumping into furniture or hesitating before jumping.
Key Takeaways
- Cataracts in cats appear as white or gray cloudiness in the eye and develop from the same lens changes that occur in humans.
- Diabetes is the most common cause of cataracts in cats, especially in younger cats, and controlling blood sugar can sometimes slow progression.
- A veterinary ophthalmologist can determine whether surgery is an option and whether your cat's vision loss is affecting daily life.
- Cats adapt to vision loss better than humans do, so a cataract that doesn't impair function may not require surgery.
- Regular eye exams during routine vet visits can catch cataracts early, before they affect your cat's ability to navigate.
Why cats develop cataracts
The most common cause of cataracts in cats is diabetes. When a cat's blood sugar stays high, it changes the chemistry inside the lens, causing it to swell and become cloudy. Diabetic cataracts can appear suddenly—sometimes within weeks—and often affect both eyes. The good news is that controlling diabetes with insulin can sometimes slow the cataract's progression, though it usually cannot reverse cloudiness that has already formed.
Older cats develop cataracts from aging alone, the same way older humans do. The lens proteins break down over time and clump together. This type of cataract typically develops slowly in one or both eyes.
Less common causes include eye injury, inflammation inside the eye, or certain medications. Cats can also be born with cataracts, though this is rare.
How to recognize a cataract in your cat
The clearest sign is a white, gray, or blue-tinted cloudiness in the pupil. In early stages, you might see it only when light hits the eye at a certain angle. As the cataract thickens, the cloudiness becomes obvious even in normal light.
Behavioral changes often appear before the cloudiness is obvious. Your cat may move more cautiously in dim light, hesitate before jumping down from furniture, or bump into door frames. Some cats become more clingy or anxious because they cannot see as well. If your cat has diabetes, watch for cataracts as part of routine monitoring.
Not all cloudiness in a cat's eye is a cataract. Age-related changes to the lens (called nuclear sclerosis) can make the eye look slightly cloudy but do not block vision the way cataracts do. A veterinarian can tell the difference during an exam.
What a vet will do to diagnose and monitor cataracts
Your regular veterinarian can spot a cataract during a standard eye exam using a light and magnification. If your cat has a cataract, your vet may refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist—a specialist in animal eye disease—to determine whether surgery is possible and whether it would help your cat's quality of life.
The ophthalmologist will measure how much the cataract is blocking light and test your cat's vision in each eye. They will also check the back of the eye (the retina) to make sure it is healthy enough for surgery to make a difference. Some cats have retinal damage from diabetes or other causes, and in those cases, surgery may not restore vision even if the cataract is removed.
If surgery is not recommended or you choose not to pursue it, your vet will monitor the cataract at regular visits to watch for changes and to catch any complications early.
Surgery and other treatment options
Cataract surgery in cats is possible and is performed by veterinary ophthalmologists. The surgeon removes the cloudy lens and sometimes implants an artificial lens to restore focus. The procedure is similar to human cataract surgery but requires general anesthesia.
Surgery works best when the retina is healthy and the cataract is the main reason for vision loss. Recovery takes several weeks, and your cat will need eye drops and a protective collar to prevent rubbing. Not all cats are good candidates—age, other health conditions, or retinal damage can make surgery risky or unlikely to help.
If surgery is not an option, there is no medication or supplement that will dissolve a cataract or stop it from progressing. Managing any underlying condition (like diabetes) is the only way to slow the process. Cats often adapt surprisingly well to gradual vision loss, especially if it happens in one eye first.
How cataracts affect your cat's daily life
The impact depends on how much the cataract blocks light and whether one eye or both are affected. A cat with a cataract in only one eye may have almost no change in behavior because the other eye compensates. A cat with cataracts in both eyes will have more noticeable vision loss, especially in dim light.
Cats are better at adapting to vision loss than humans are. They rely heavily on smell, hearing, and whiskers to navigate, so even significant vision loss may not stop them from moving around the house. However, a cat with poor vision may become anxious in new environments, avoid jumping, or be startled more easily.
If your cat's cataract is not affecting their ability to eat, play, or move safely through the house, surgery may not be necessary. The decision to operate depends on how much your cat's quality of life is actually impaired, not just on the presence of cloudiness.
Preventing cataracts or slowing their progress
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. If your cat is diagnosed with diabetes, tight control of blood sugar with insulin can slow cataract development.
Protect your cat's eyes from injury by keeping them indoors or supervising outdoor time. Some eye injuries can trigger inflammation that leads to cataracts later.
Regular veterinary exams—at least once a year for adult cats and twice a year for cats over 10—catch cataracts early and monitor any that are already present. Early detection is especially important for diabetic cats, where cataracts can develop rapidly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a cat go blind from cataracts?
Yes, if both eyes develop dense cataracts and the retina is healthy, a cat can lose functional vision. However, cats adapt to blindness better than humans do because they navigate by smell and touch. Many blind cats live full, active lives indoors with familiar surroundings.
Will my cat's cataract get worse?
It depends on the cause. Diabetic cataracts often progress quickly if blood sugar is not controlled. Age-related cataracts usually develop slowly over months or years. Your vet can estimate the likely pace based on what they see during the exam.
Is cataract surgery safe for older cats?
Age alone is not a barrier to surgery. The real question is whether your cat is healthy enough for general anesthesia and whether the retina is intact. Your vet and the ophthalmologist will assess these factors before recommending surgery.
What if I cannot afford cataract surgery?
Many cats live well with cataracts, especially if only one eye is affected or if vision loss is gradual. Focus on managing any underlying condition like diabetes and keeping your cat's environment safe and familiar. Regular vet exams will track any changes.
Can supplements or eye drops prevent or treat cataracts in cats?
No supplement or over-the-counter drop has been proven to dissolve cataracts or stop them from forming in cats. Managing underlying disease (especially diabetes) is the only evidence-based way to slow progression. Always check with your vet before giving your cat any supplement.