Kitten with yellow eyes: what it can mean
A yellow tinge in a kitten's eyes, or in their gums and skin, is usually a sign of jaundice, which happens when a substance called bilirubin builds up in the body — and it always needs a vet's attention promptly, ideally the same day, because the underlying causes range from liver problems to issues with red blood cells, several of which can become serious quickly in a young animal.
Get this seen
This is worth a call to your vet rather than waiting to see how it goes, particularly if it has lasted more than a day or your pet is otherwise off-colour.
What jaundice actually is
Jaundice is not a disease in itself, it is a visible sign that something else is going on inside the body. Bilirubin is a substance normally processed by the liver and removed as part of the body's usual recycling of old red blood cells, and when that process is disrupted, bilirubin builds up and shows as a yellow tinge in the whites of the eyes, gums, and sometimes the skin.
In a kitten, this yellow tinge can be subtle at first, sometimes easier to spot in the gums or the inner ear than in the eyes themselves, particularly in good light. Any hint of it is worth taking seriously rather than waiting to see if it becomes more obvious.
What commonly causes it
Jaundice in a young cat can point to several different underlying problems, including liver disease, an infection, a blockage affecting the bile duct, or a condition affecting red blood cells that causes them to break down faster than normal. It can also occur alongside other illnesses that affect the liver indirectly.
None of these is something to try to identify at home, and there is no way to tell from the colour of the eyes alone which of these is actually happening. A vet will need to examine your kitten and very likely run blood tests to find out what is behind it.
Other signs to watch for alongside it
A kitten with jaundice is often also off their food, quieter or more lethargic than usual, and may be vomiting or have pale or discoloured urine. Weight loss over even a short period is another sign worth mentioning to your vet if you notice it.
If your kitten has yellow eyes or gums and is also showing any of these other signs, treat it as more urgent rather than less — a kitten's small size means they can deteriorate faster than an adult cat when something serious is going on.
Why this needs a vet promptly
Jaundice is always considered a sign to act on rather than monitor at home, because several of its possible causes are genuinely serious and some become harder to treat the longer they go unaddressed. This applies whether your kitten seems otherwise bright or is clearly unwell.
Ring your vet the same day you notice a yellow tinge to the eyes or gums, and mention it clearly when you call so the practice understands it needs prompt attention rather than routine scheduling.
Getting your kitten there, and looking after them once home
A secure, well-ventilated cat carrier makes the journey to the vet considerably less stressful for a kitten who is already unwell, and most practices will ask you to bring your kitten in one for exactly this reason. It is worth having one ready before you need it in a hurry.
Once you are home again, whether for monitoring or after treatment has started, a calm, comfortable space away from noise and other pets gives a kitten who is feeling under the weather somewhere quiet to rest while they recover.
What happens at the vet appointment
Expect your vet to start with a physical examination, checking your kitten's gums, eyes and general condition, before recommending blood tests to look at liver values and red blood cells. Depending on those results, further investigation such as an ultrasound scan may be suggested to look more closely at the liver and bile duct.
Try to bring along any useful background — when you first noticed the yellow tinge, whether your kitten has been eating normally, and any other changes in behaviour or litter tray habits. Small details like these can genuinely help your vet narrow down what is going on more quickly.
What can help
Things we stock that owners commonly use alongside a vet’s advice — not a substitute for it.
Replacement Cage Lid Pin (33cm)
A genuine spare lid pin for folding cages — 33 cm in length, so your cage stays secure when the original goes walkabout.
£6.49
Spare Short Pin for Folding Cage
A spare short pin for the folding cat cage — so a missing pin doesn't put your cage out of action.
£5.99
3-in-1 Folding Pet Stroller with Removable Carrier
A folding pet stroller whose carrier lifts out to use on its own, giving small, senior or recovering pets a wheeled ride to the vet and back home again.
£115.99
Raised Pet Sofa Bed with Wooden Legs
A raised pet sofa on wooden legs with a plush, waterproof cover, keeping cats and smaller dogs off cold hard floors and making an accident a wipe rather than a wash.
From£64.99
Common questions
- Is jaundice always serious in kittens?
- It should always be treated as something to act on promptly, since the underlying causes range in seriousness but several can become harder to manage the longer they are left. A vet needs to examine your kitten to find out what is actually causing it.
- Can yellow eyes in a kitten go away on their own?
- The visible yellow tinge is a symptom of an underlying problem, not a condition in itself, so it will not reliably resolve without treating whatever is causing it. Do not wait to see if it fades before getting your kitten checked.
- What tests will the vet do for a jaundiced kitten?
- Your vet will likely start with blood tests to check liver function and red blood cells, and may recommend further tests such as an ultrasound scan depending on what those results show. The exact plan depends on what they find on examination.
- Can diet cause a kitten's eyes to turn yellow?
- Diet alone is not a typical cause of jaundice in kittens, though a kitten who has stopped eating for any reason can sometimes develop liver-related jaundice as a secondary effect. This is exactly why a vet assessment matters rather than assuming a dietary cause.
- How quickly should I get a jaundiced kitten seen?
- The same day, ideally, rather than waiting to see if it changes. Jaundice is one of the signs vets consistently treat as needing prompt attention, given the range of serious conditions it can indicate in a young animal.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.