Readers Respond: Have you seen a cat cry real tears?

I used to believe that cats' eyes only watered for medical reasons. However, after the phenomenal response I've had from readers who have seen cat cry for apparent reasons of pain, sorrow, loneliness, or frustration, I'm willing to include that there are indeed occasions of cats crying because of emotions.

Have you seen a cat cry real tears? Read the associated article, then share your story with other readers in the form below. Note:This form is not for asking questions or replying to others readers. It is your own mini-article on the About.com Cat site.

crying cat

My cat cried when it orginal owner left it behind sat on our back patio table staring at the house of her preveoius owner with tears running down her face the other day she got made and bit me i scolded here adn left the room my wife called me and there she was with tears in her eyes upset that I scolded her and left the room so i picked her up and all became well again such an emotional cat

—Guest Wade

I saw my Bengal cat cry

I was worried that something was wrong with his eyes, but after the one time, when he cried big fat tears, I have seen nothing until tonight when he had just a bit of it. He is only a year old and very sensitive, still kind of a baby, and since I've had him since we rescued him when he was between 6 and 8 weeks old, he thinks I'm his mommy, but he is BIG and very curious, so sometimes he causes problems (breaking things, turning over my water, etc.,) so I yell a bit. I know I shouldn't but I'm old an cranky. Anyway, about 2 weeks ago, when I got mad at him, he started crying, and it just killed me, so I held him and kissed him and told him I love him, and he stopped. Just now he came up on the bed and snuggled in and there were some small tears. I just think he's very sensitive. I've never seen another cat do it.

—Artemis93

The last tears

The whole wonderful 19 years of sharing our lives together I never saw any indication that my cat ever cried. This last year has been really hard on her health wise. She went down hill with old age problems until she just couldn't bare it anymore. She was having renal failure and we didn't want her to suffer anymore. During her final moments with us I saw a huge tear coming from her eye as to say I am sorry I can be with you anymore. It was one of the most saddest things I have ever seen, and I will never forget it.

—Guest Gail

Scientific proof

You write that you have not been presented scientific proof for cats crying out of emotion. I have witnessed cats cry like crazy out of emotion. With teardrops and yelling. What would be scientific proof and what is the scientific proof that humans cry out of emotion and not just other medical reasons?

—Guest Alex

happened just now.

Lately I've been horribly ill. I've always been a sick person...anyways. Today I was resting in my parents room with one of three of my families cats, Snow. He's the one male, white, Manx with no tail. My little brother grabbed my fathers foam dart gun and aimed it at Snow and started firing. Snow ran right over me (not helping me feel well) and was cornered by my brother being shot at. After a few seconds I managed to roll off my bed and Sheila the feline. My brother, disinterested, left the room as I picked Snow up and brought him back to bed. Just as I hovered over I noticed clear tears running down the sides of his nose. I've never noticed anything like this before...so I held him. My ear pressed on his body, I heard small, soft grunts. I could tell he was distraught. He wouldn't run away from my hold..his body "mushy" and unmoving. He was crying. I could tell he was crying over being shot at by a family member he trusted. Just thought id share...

—Guest Nezzy

yes cats cry

Yes cats cry. I have been witness to it before. At the shelter where I work a young state police trainee surrendered his cat Buster to us as he was leaving for training. I looked in on buster a few hours later and there he lay. Tears welled up in his green eyes and moisture all under them. He knew what was up and knew his human was not coming back. Heartache, pure heartache all over the loss of his human. Have no fear though folks. We found Buster his forever home. One with a little girl who adores him and a mommy and daddy who love him very much.

—catman151

Seen a cat cry real tears not goop.

i have seen cat cry real tears, she was dropped off starving & declawed so shouldn't have been outside! Myself an animal friendly person brought her inside with my other four cats & a dog. I started feeding her & yes the fact is I do believe she cried. She is a matted mess & it hurts her to move. I know this cat came to me because I would help, and cried to let me know how bad people treated her & to tell me thanks. People should be hit with bad karma when they do this to any animal.

—Guest Kelly

Crying cats

I know that cats don't have tear ducts, but they still can cry. Whenever my cat is upset, she gets the "gook" in her eyes. She doesn't ever get gook in her eye when she is content.

—Guest CaraElena

Cats also cry with joy

My male cat definitely cries... with joy. I noticed tears welling up, running down his cheeks, and dropping into a small pool on the table almost every time I share the coolwhip off my pudding with him. He began crying with happiness after I began allowing him to share my dessert by offering tiny spoonfuls which he would wait for politely. After establishing a habit of this, he would sit watching with anticipation, then when it was "his turn" he would start crying with joy. It is not a "food allergy" either, since he has tried other small bits of this kind of human food without crying. It is the experience of anticipation met with supreme satisfaction that brings on the tears. And that is exactly what underlies the emotion of joy for human's too!

—Guest susan crites

Cat Tears

My cat's eyes well-up with tears every time she hears violin music! There is nothing wrong with her eyes and this is the only time she does it. I started playing violing music on You Tube a couple of weeks ago - and every time she settles down next to me and listens, her eyes change. She rolls her eyes up in her head almost as if she's in a trance - and then her eyes fill with tears. It's amazing to witness and I know it's real because she doesn't do it any other time. She particularly responds to Mozart!

—Lilydancer

Cat Cried when my Mom died

back in 2002 my now 19yr old female cat was on my kitchen table when I returned home from the hospital where my mom had just died of a heart attack that started at home that morning, my cat was with my mother that morning and was well aware of what had just happened, she was so upset she had tears running down her cheeks... when you have an animal for almost 20yrs that has never left your side and you have taken the time to really love and share life with them you will quickly realize that science is wrong on many things when it comes to the level of animal connections and emotions... love all animals

—Guest AVG

my dog cries

When my friend Rob was sick he would shut himself in his bedroom. Our dog Riley would sit at the door and cry - really cry with real tears.

—Guest Michael

do cays cry

i went on a 8 day trip which was the longest trip without costant supervision 4 my two cats as soon as i walked in the house to greet them the youngest of the 2 of them was tearing up i was conserned but when i couldn't find any scraches or any sign of an eye infection i knew she was just happy i was home .this was the only time this has happened.also when this happened the tears went away as fast as they came!!!goes to show no one can care for my animals as i can lol

—Guest miss fox

Do cats' cry real tears?

I do believe cats are capable of showing the emotin of crying, however, I personally can't put my finger on an exact moment in time that I was fortunate to witness such a miracle. If a cat's purring can't be explained, why then should this body response?

—Guest Maureen

Do cats' cry real tears?

I do believe cats are capable of showing the emotin of crying, however, I personally can't put my finger on an exact moment in time that I was fortunate to witness such a miracle. If a cat's purring can't be explained, why then should this body response?

—Guest Maureen