Do Cats Have Eyelashes – Here’s The Facts!

When it comes to a cats facial features, we are all drawn to their long whiskers and colorful eyes. Outside the first that cover their face and ears, one might start to notice little hairs around the eye area. We already know cats can blink, but do cats have eyelashes?

Yes, most cats have eyelashes. However, these eyelashes are usually not very noticeable because they are mixed in with the hair around the cat’s eyes. In addition to this, cats do not have long, prominent eyelashes like us humans often do.

As a result, your cat likely has eyelashes, but you can’t see them unless you look closely for them. We’ll dive into when those eyelashes develop from kitten to adulthood, and which breeds are likely to have them.

Do Cats Have Eyelashes

Yes, most cats do have eyelashes, and there are very few exceptions to this. However, these lashes are often mixed in with their regular fur, so it can be challenging to see eyelashes on a cat in some cases. Like in humans and other mammals, eyelashes in cats are designed to protect the eyes by preventing things like water and small things from getting in them, such as dust or dirt. This prevents your cat’s eyes from becoming irritated. Other parts of the cat also serve roughly the same purpose. A cat’s fur, whiskers, and third eyelid will protect their eyes from unwanted irritants as well. 

Do Kittens Have Eyelashes

Just like adult cats, most kittens also have eyelashes. These may or may not be noticeable in the kitten, and just like fully grown cats, they can also really blend in with the kitten’s fur that is located around their eyes. It all depends on your cat’s genetic makeup and how they look. 

What Breeds Of Cats Have Eyelashes 

Any cat that has fur will also have eyelashes. Some breeds of cats will have more prominent eyelashes than others, though. For example, long-haired cats are more likely to have longer, more prominent eyelashes than short-haired cats. Some long-haired cat breeds include but are not limited to the Maine Coon, the Persian Cat, and the Ragdoll. In addition to this, some people with medium and short-haired cats also claim that they have cats with prominent eyelashes. It is all just about your cat’s genetic makeup and how they look. 

The only exception to this is the Sphynx cat, who will commonly not have eyelashes. This is because the Sphynx has a genetic mutation that changes the way their hair grows, which causes them to be mostly hairless. Although it is fairly common for Sphynx cats to have a thin layer of peach fuzz-like hair, they will often be lacking in both eyelashes and whiskers. 

Can I Cut My Cat’s Eyelashes? 

Most cats will not need to have their eyelashes trimmed. This is because a cat’s eyelashes should grow to a certain length and then fall out, similar to the way that eyelashes do this in humans. The only exception to this rule is if your cat has some clinical problem with its eyelashes. In these cases, the eyelashes should always be attended to by a vet. 

Do Cats Have Eyelids

Yes, cats do have eyelids. In fact, all domestic cats have multiple eyelids in each eye. This protects the cat’s eyes from debris and helps get rid of debris from the eye if it ends up there. This is commonly called the cat’s “third eyelid,” and it is just a membrane that will cover the eye when the cat blinks.

This third eyelid should not be visible when the cat’s eyes are open, and if your cat’s third eyelid is showing then, this could be a sign of a medical problem that may require a vet’s attention. 

Do Cats Have Eyebrows

Although some cats may have a coat pattern that may lead them to appear to have eyebrows, cats do not have eyebrows as humans do. This is because their face is already covered with fur, to begin with, so they do not need extra hair above their eyes for protection.

Many cats do have whiskers above their eyes, though, and these whiskers are called eyebrow whiskers. These whiskers help a cat feel around its surroundings and add a little bit of extra protection to the eyes as well. 

Can Cats Have Problems With Their Eyelashes

Yes, cats can have problems with their eyelids, and there are technically three different conditions that can lead to eye irritation due to abnormal eyelash growth.

There are some additional things to consider when it comes to cats having eyelashes. This includes whether or not cats can develop problems with their eyelashes. There are three different types of eyelash conditions that cats can potentially develop. These include Distichiasis, Ectopic Cilia, and Trichiasis.

Here we will explain the differences between these three disorders, the symptoms of eyelash issues in cats, and their causes. Here are some things to consider about cats having eyelashes. 

One of these conditions occurs when the eyelashes grow from the inner rim of the eyelid instead of the outer rim, and this is called Distichiasis. The next condition is called ectopic cilia, and this occurs when the eyelashes grow inward instead of outward. Finally, the third eyelash issue occurs when the eyelashes grow in different directions, called Trichiasis. 

Why Do Some Cats Develop Problems With Their Eyelashes? 

All three of these conditions affecting the eyelashes in cats occur when there is a problem with the development of the eyelash follicles. It is unknown why this happens in cats. Most cats diagnosed with one of these three medical conditions are relatively young, but it is not unheard of for an elderly cat to have a sudden eyelash issue either. 

Symptoms Of An Eyelash Problem In Cats

All of these conditions leading to the abnormal growth of eyelashes in cats lead to eye irritation. After all, these usually lead the eyelashes to be brushing their eyes all of the time. Here are some of the common symptoms of an eyelash problem in cats. 

● Red or pink eyes 

● Discharge coming from the eyes 

● Excessive blinking or strange blinking 

● Pawing at the eyes or rubbing the eyes on objects 

● Stiff eyelashes 

● Noticeable ulcers on or around the eyes 

These conditions can be very painful for cats. Taking them to the vet for treatment as soon as possible is recommended for those who suspect that their cat has a problem with their eyelashes.