Exotic Shorthair Eye Cleaning Guide
At TESCATS, we joke that when the cleaning kit comes out, the kittens know exactly what time it is. But regular face and eye cleaning is an important part of caring for Exotic Shorthair kittens.
Because Exotic Shorthairs have sweet flat faces, moisture can collect around the eyes and nose more easily than it does in some other breeds. Keeping this area clean and dry helps your kitten stay comfortable and keeps their beautiful face looking fresh.
Why Eye Cleaning Matters
Exotic Shorthair eye cleaning is part of normal grooming for this breed. Their flat facial structure means tears may sit in the facial folds, especially near the inner corners of the eyes.
A simple daily routine helps:
- keep the face dry
- reduce buildup
- prevent staining
- help kittens accept gentle handling
- make grooming easier as they grow
What We Use
For regular cleaning, a damp cotton round with sterile saline or distilled water is often enough.
If more care is needed, we may use an animal-safe eye wash or ophthalmic gel recommended for pets. Always avoid harsh products, fragrances, or anything not intended for use around the eyes.
Eye Envy Tear Stain Wipes
$17.00
Bamboo Cotton Swabs
600 wipes $8.95
Davis Tearless Pet Shampoo
$8.50
L-Lysine for Cats Lickable
$34.49
Disposable Cotton Pads
$14.39
How to Hold Your Kitten Gently
The goal is calm control, not force.
Hold the kitten lightly with your thumb under the chin and the rest of your hand supporting the back of the head. Never press on the throat or restrict breathing.
Think gentle guidance, not a tight grip.
If your kitten wiggles away, let them go and try again. Short, calm practice sessions are better than turning grooming into a wrestling match.
How to Clean the Eye Area
Fold a damp cotton round over your finger.
Gently wipe from the inner tear line outward, moving with the direction of the hair. Lift and repeat as needed with a clean area of the cotton round.
Do not scrub. The skin around the eyes is delicate.
Helping Kittens Accept Grooming
Starting young makes a big difference. When kittens are handled gently every day, grooming becomes part of normal life instead of something scary.
Keep sessions short, calm, and positive.
Over time, most kittens learn to relax and “let you do it.”
A Helpful Tip for Stubborn Little Boogers
Sometimes kittens get tiny dried “boogers” around the nose folds that can be difficult to remove gently with a cloth alone. For stubborn buildup, we prefer using a precision cotton swab instead of a fingernail because it gives better control and is much gentler around delicate facial folds.
If the buildup is dry or stuck, we lightly dampen the tip with a small amount of water and gently squeeze out the excess first. The swab should be barely damp, never dripping, so water does not get into the kitten’s nose.
Keeping the nose area clean helps kittens smell their food properly, stay comfortable, and keeps those adorable flat little faces looking fresh and healthy.
Before bringing your kitten home, make sure you have everything ready with our New Kitten Shopping Guide.
litter box training for kittens
litter box training for Exotic Shorthair kittens
DIY Shipping Box Cat house
Simply cuttings holes and adding a little tape; creates a magic wonderland to attack a passer by, climb to the top to jump off or simply cat nap in a quiet corner.
At TESCATS, breeding Exotic Shorthair kittens is more than a business, it is a daily commitment to preserving the beauty, health, and affectionate temperament of this extraordinary breed.
Located just outside Houston, Texas, our kittens are raised inside our home as part of our family, receiving constant human interaction, socialization, and loving care from birth.
– Carolyn
Founder, TESCATS
