{"id":2109,"date":"2026-11-04T07:02:10","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T15:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sbahvet.com\/blog\/?p=2109"},"modified":"2026-11-04T07:02:12","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T15:02:12","slug":"why-does-my-cats-third-eyelid-show-causes-of-a-visible-third-eyelid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sbahvet.com\/blog\/why-does-my-cats-third-eyelid-show-causes-of-a-visible-third-eyelid\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Does My Cat\u2019s Third Eyelid Show? Causes of a Visible Third Eyelid"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Cat<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Felines have fabulous anatomical features that make them wonderfully mysterious\u2014their whiskers, flexible spines, independently swiveling ears, and that curious little membrane that can suddenly appear across the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve ever noticed a third eyelid, you\u2019re not imagining it. Cats have a third eyelid, also called the nictitating membrane, located in the inner corner of each eye. Normally, it\u2019s out of sight. When it becomes visible, however, it can be a sign that something deserves a closer look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Sunrise Boulevard Animal Hospital<\/a>, we can help determine why your cat\u2019s third eyelid is showing and whether treatment is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Is a Cat\u2019s Third Eyelid?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unlike the upper and lower eyelids, the third eyelid moves horizontally across the surface of the eye. It helps protect the eye and spread the tear film across its surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may occasionally catch a glimpse of it when your cat is sleepy or just waking up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But a visible third eyelid that remains noticeable while your cat is awake and alert can indicate an underlying problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, seeing the third eyelid briefly during a particularly enthusiastic cat nap isn\u2019t necessarily cause for alarm. Seeing it persistently is another story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Causes of a Cat Visible Third Eyelid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several possible explanations for a cat third eyelid protruding, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n