Introduction
Cataracts in cats often occur as a natural process of aging. In some cases, cats can develop cataracts due to nutrition deficiency, injury to the eye, and a genetically inherited condition.
Causes of Cataracts in Cats
While cats do not develop cataracts often, it is a condition that veterinarians are seeing more often in cats due to the increased longevity of today’s house cat. As the lens of the eye ages, cataracts can develop in either one or both of the eyes. In this case, the cataracts will either stay the same size or increase in size over time until the cat is completely blind.
Cataracts that occur in young kittens are most often due to genetically inherited conditions, and cataracts in young kittens and cats are often the result of a nutritional deficiency. Taurine is an essential dietary nutrient for cats that is vital to the health of the eyes, and cats and kittens that are fed a homemade diet without supplements may develop cataracts as a result of a deficiency. In these cases, the cataracts usually appear in both eyes.
Inflammation of the eye that occurs due to injury, or in some cases an underlying medical condition, may lead to cataracts if left untreated (unlike dogs, cats will not develop cataracts as a result of a diabetic condition). Cataracts that occur due to injury from cat fights are one of the more common causes of cataracts in young cats. If a cataract occurs as a result of an underlying condition or injury, then the cataract may appear in either one or both eyes.