Persian kitten: How to clean sticky/ crispy fur under eyes

[thethoughtfox]

Getting to grips cleans kitten's eyes every day but the fur under his eyes is all crispy and I can't get it clean with just water or saline. I've tried using cotton pads and cotton buds. I can only rub at them for so long before I worry I'm hurting him. When we got him, we has just finished because he was sneezing and eyes running so much. I don't know if his under eye fur is so crispy because of the eye cream or if this is just normal for Persians. Any help in getting rid of the current crispy under eyes and preventing it happening again would be appreciated.

• When we got him, we had just finishing building work so the place was all dusty!

Has the kitten seen a vet? Sneezing and eye discharge can be signs of cat flu.

Def go to Vet if sneezing as well as runny eyes.

If just Persian runny eyes then try eye envy it removes the stains

Thank you for replying. Yeah, took him to the vet straight away who thought it was a cold or reaction to all the new allergens in our house with all the dust from the building work that had turned into an infection. He got antibiotic injections and eye cream. I think it's the eye cream that has made the under eyes all sticky them crispy or is that normal with Persians?

I saw Eye Envy online. Does it just deal with discolouration or get the stickiness/ crispiness out?

This is normal with one of my Persians, not with the other. Keeping on top of it is best bet- cool boiled water on cotton wool. Definitely don't rub, makes it very sore! the crispy bits will eventually come off with wiping every day. I've not tried eye envy though

Thank you, bubbles. I've been trying so hard wiping every day and keeping on top of any new stuff but the under eye stuff is still there from weeks ago.

It's not even bits that need to come off; it's that the fur itself is matted.

I would be tempted to go back to the vet. Wiping it could increase matting. Rubbing at them could make them more sore.

I've attached a pic- is yours similar?

If your cat still has discharge and sneezing it needs a vet.

I've got two Persians prone to runny eyes. They will not tolerate having their eyes wiped with a cotton wool pad, but will allow me to pick the crusty bits off with my finger nail. My friend also had to do this with his slightly more feisty exotic Persian and she tolerates it well.

Isn't there something you are forgetting OP?

The like to rub their 'eye snot'on my hand or up my arm!

Bubbles, those bits I can get. It's the fur under the eyes. Hope you can see it on this pic

OMG he's gorgeous!

Wolfie, I was worried I might need to go back to the vet. He only sneezes now when he's been under the bed or just occasionally randomly but they are wet sneezes. He has wet slightly gunky eyes in the morning that need wiped and often need wiped again later in the day/Does that seem normal?

Thank you, Toddler. We love him so much. I just want to treat him right!

It wouldn't be normal in a mog. I would be concerned that it's either congenital (because of the pushed in face) or continued infection.

I use diamond eyes. It helps get rid of any gunk/crispy bits and doesn't seem to stain

My Persian often has gunky eyes. She’s about 11 I think but I have only had her a couple of years. She is quite tolerant of having her eyes cleaned. I have tried eye envy, eye wipes and another solution but I have found that cooled boiled water and a cotton wool ball work just as well. I also use a flea comb gently in the corners of her eyes which I find works really well. My previous Persian was a tortoishell and so tear staining just didn’t show but my current one is white which is really impractical for a Persian who doesn’t like being groomed!

I’ve cleaned her eyes today but they still look gunky in this photo.

Your first Persian is a huge learning curve. But once you get used to their, completely un Cat like ways, they are wonderful. And absolutely no trouble. If you've not already got one. Get a grooming rake and a metal comb. I also use a kids tangle teaser on mine.

Wolfie, do you have a Persian? You are quite right: having to wipe eyes and noses isn't normal for a moggie but most/some/all - I'm to 100% sure - Persians do need their eyes wiped daily and are more prone to sneezing etc because of their large eyes and squished up faces.

*I'm not 100% sure if it's most Persians or just some that need daily facial grooming.

Thank you so much for the tips. Will definitely try the flea comb.

Butter, do you think Diamond Eyes would work on the fur under the eyes in the pic I posted?

It's worth a try, it softens up all gunk so it's easier to get away