Cats don’t have eyelashes in the same sense as humans do, but instead, they have a row of thick hairs on the edge of their upper eyelid, which serve as rudimentary lashes. They are also called cilia. A cat’s eyelashes are generally the same color and length as their fur, so they blend in and are not easily spotted. Learn more about cats’ eyelashes, feline eye anatomy, and how to recognize eyelash disorders in cats.
For ease of understanding, we will refer to a cat’s rudimentary eyelashes or thick hairs on the upper eyelids as “eyelashes”, although they are not true eyelashes.
Why Do Cats Have Eyelashes?
While you may not be able to see your cat’s rudimentary eyelashes, they do play an important role. Similar to human eyelashes, the felines’ eyelashes may help keep debris and small particles out of the eyes. But cats don’t need long lashes like most people have. Their facial fur, eyelids, and whiskers do the main job of preventing foreign objects from entering their eyes. They also serve the purpose of warning the cat if something is too close to their face and may injure them.
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Do All Cats Have Eyelashes?
One cat breed that doesn’t have these rudimentary eyelashes is the Sphynx. It’s known for being hairless, but some sphynx have a light layer of fuzz on their bodies.
Do Cats Have a Third Eyelid?
It sounds crazy, but the answer is yes! Cats’ eyes are more complex than you might realize. Not only do most cats have eyelashes, but they also have a third eyelid called a nictitating membrane.
There are some good reasons you’ve probably never noticed your cat’s third eyelid before. First, the nictitating membrane is somewhat hidden. It’s located underneath the top and bottom eyelids, in the inner corner of the eye. Secondly, the eyelid moves diagonally across the eye, too fast for most people to notice.
Cats sometimes look like they’re squinting. If your kitty squints at you, they’re not giving you the evil eye or engaging in a staring contest. Their third eyelid may be showing without you realizing it, although actual squinting is a sign of ocular pain and an underlying problem that needs checking out.
A cat’s third eyelid is somewhat transparent. The ability to see while this inner eyelid is showing comes in handy out in the wild. Cats can walk through brush or long grass while protecting their eyes.
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Eyelash Disorders in Domestic Cats
Any part of your cat’s body can develop a health problem, and their eyelashes are no exception. Three feline eyelash disorders are trichiasis, distichiasis, and ectopic cilia.
Trichiasis is an ingrown eyelash, while distichiasis is an eyelash that grows in an abnormal spot on the cat’s eyelid. Ectopic cilia occur when a cat’s eyelash grows through the inside of the eyelid and towards the cornea. These conditions are relatively rare but can be uncomfortable for your cat and require veterinary treatment.
The most obvious sign that your cat’s eyelashes bother them is frequent pawing at the eye area and squinting. You might also notice that your kitty has watery eyes, redness, eyes half closed, noticeable twitching of the eyelid, and eye color changes.
If you have more questions about these disorders and how to spot them, we recommend speaking with a veterinarian.
You probably can’t see your cat’s eyelashes, but most breeds have them. A cat’s eyelashes are difficult to distinguish from the fur surrounding their eyes, and they are not the eyelashes in the same sense as humans have. Cats don’t have long eyelashes like we do because they have other physical features that protect their eyes.
Their facial fur, eyelids, including the third eyelid, and whiskers also prevent debris and foreign objects from entering their eye. Cats can develop rare eyelash disorders. Contact your vet if your cat paws at their eyes or you notice other abnormal eye changes.
Oliver (Ollie) Jones - A zoologist and freelance writer living in South Australia with his partner Alex, their dog Pepper, and their cat Steve (who declined to be pictured). Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types.
