Do cats have eyelashes? Yes, cats have eyelashes. The lashes are not well defined from the surrounding hair when looking at a cat. It may look as though cats’ eyes don’t have eyelashes, as cats have more hair generally around the eye area, which gives the appearance of thick hair with no lashes.
We expect that the lashes will look similar to our eyelashes and those of other mammals. Some mammals, for example, camels and horses, have very well-defined eyelashes.
Why Are Cat’s Eyelashes Difficult To See?
Cat’s eyelashes do not look exactly like human lashes, and that’s where the confusion is. As mentioned, cats have thick hair around the eye, humans do not.
The eyelashes of a cat, are mostly not visible or distinguishable from the thick hair in the eye area. This leads many to believe that cats do not have eyelashes.
Anatomy Of A Cat’s Eye Showing Eyelashes
Can Cats Can Have Medical Problems Related To Eyelashes?
Wag describes the different medical problems that can arise with cats’ eyelashes.
Distichiasis: occurs when the eyelash grows from the inner rim of the eyelid.
Ectopic cilia: a condition in which the eyelashes grow from inside the eyelid, is activated when cats walk through bushes, tall grass or at any time.
Trichiasis: occurs when the eyelashes grow in different directions.All three conditions cause the eyelashes to come into contact with the eye, which can lead to discomfort and pain for the cat.
Reference: wagwalking.com/cat/condition/eyelash-disorders
Eyelashes In humans help prevent dirt and other substances from entering the eye, which may cause irritation. When we blink, our tears lubricate the surface of the eye.
Cats have another form of eye protection, the third eyelid, that lubricates and protects the surface of the eye.
What Does A Cat’s Third Eyelid Do?
Does it do the job, or part of the job, of eyelashes?
The third eyelid extends from the corner of the eye to cover the eye and retracts into the corner of the eye when no longer needed.
Its function is to give added protection to the surface of the eye when needed, such as when moving through scrub, bushes, tall grass, and so on.
It keeps the eye moist without compromising vision. It sweeps the eye and gets rid of any debris and pollen while redistributing tears over the cornea to keep the surface of the eye moist. Picture it moving across the eye.
Sometimes it is possible to see the third eyelid. You might see it as your cat is waking up or while the cat is sleepy. It looks filmy and almost translucent.
The third membrane is activated when cats walk through bushes, tall grass or at any time where the eye is exposed and may be scratched.
The third membrane acts as protection.
Other mammals such as dogs, birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians also have a third eye
Did you know that humans also once had a third eyelid, which is now just seen as the whitish, pinkish area at the inside corner of our eye? It no longer acts as a third eyelid.
So, Do Cats Have Eyelashes?
Yes cat’s have eyelashes, even though they may not be obvious to an observer.
The ease of seeing the eyelashes will depend on the breed of the cat.
In first place is the Siamese. The Persian comes in a close second; while its eyelashes are not quite as prominent as the Siamese, they are still very noticeable.
The Ragdoll and the Maine Coon are also notable for their eyelashes.
Do hairless cats have eyelashes?
Sphynx cats are hairless and they have no eyelashes.
Cats Lovingly Headbutt Their owners
For Fun – Cat With False Eyelash Eyebrows
This is a very short video—only nine seconds. (I say this because I can’t stand fluffing about with videos that waste time.)
It will give you a chuckle.
