Key Points

• Concerning eye problems in dogs may appear as redness, discharge, or behaviors like pawing at their eyes or refusing stairs.

• Certain symptoms — like a sudden bulging eye or vision difficulties — are veterinary emergencies and must be treated immediately. 

• Some of the most common dog eye conditions include conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, cherry eye, and dry eye.  

• You can help care for your dog’s eyes at home with some gentle cleaning and a daily check.

  
  

Everyone knows that puppy eyes can melt hearts and get dogs whatever they want — but those same eyes also need careful attention to stay healthy.

Your dog’s eyes are vital to their overall health and well-being. And, as it turns out, they may signal underlying health issues.

“A dog's eyes can reflect their overall health and emotional state. Clear, bright eyes often indicate good health, while redness, cloudiness, or discharge can signal underlying issues,” says Veronica Villanueva, DVM, the medical director of VEG ER for Pets in Anaheim Hills, California. “Changes in eye appearance can be an early warning sign of health problems, including systemic diseases [such as kidney or hormonal diseases].” 

So, it’s well worth it to keep an eye — sorry — on your pup’s peepers since early detection can affect your dog’s happiness and even life expectancy

Here are some signs that your dog’s eyes need a veterinarian’s attention, along with common conditions to watch for. 

Symptoms of canine eye issues  

When it comes to eye health, it can sometimes be difficult as a pet parent to determine if a symptom is unusual or completely normal. 

A little bit of dog eye discharge can even be fine — but not always. “A small amount of discharge in the mornings can be normal, but any odor, repeated crusting throughout the day, or redness associated with the discharge is highly abnormal,” says Laszlo Sinko, DVM, a veterinarian at Gardens Animal Hospital in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. 

Here are some common symptoms of eye issues that could signal a bigger problem: 

• Cloudiness   

• Discharge 

• Discomfort 

• Itchiness  

• Pawing at eyes 

• Redness 

• Swelling  

• Vision changes (bumping into things, refusing to go down stairs)  

All of our experts stressed that pawing at the eyes is a big key that something’s wrong. It might seem cute or harmless, but don’t ignore what your pup’s trying to tell you. 

“Frequent pawing or rubbing at the eyes can be a sign of irritation, injury, or infection,” Dr. Sinko says. “If you notice this behavior, it’s best to have your dog’s eyes examined by a veterinarian to prevent further damage.” 

The most common dog eye issues 

While many eye health issues can pop up for your favorite canine, there are some common eye problems that our experts see the most: 

Cataracts

Cataracts are when your dogs’ eyes become cloudy, making it difficult for them to see. 

Symptoms: Cloudiness, dilated pupils, red eyes 

Cause: Usually hereditary, but can also result from aging, diabetes, inflammation, or trauma  

Treatment: Surgery 

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the eye tissue, but it can also signal other issues, like glaucoma, so it’s important that it receives prompt attention. 

Symptoms: Crustiness, discharge, redness, squinting, swelling, watery eyes 

Cause: Allergies, bacteria, viruses, other eye conditions (like dry eye or entropion) 

Treatment: Topical antibiotics, antihistamines, or steroids, depending on the cause 

Corneal ulcers

Corneal ulcers are a painful condition usually caused by inadequate tear production or irritation or trauma to the eye. 

Symptoms: Discharge, excessive blinking, pain, redness, squinting, tears

Cause: Trauma or a foreign body or irritant 

Treatment: Pain medication, protective collar, oral antibiotics (if infected) 

Cherry eye

Cherry eye is the prolapse of a dog’s third eyelid — you’ll see the red, fleshy part sticking out in the corner of their eye. 

Symptoms: Red, fleshy bulge in the corner of eye 

Cause: Often hereditary, but sometimes unknown 

Treatment: Surgery 

Dry eye

While it sounds innocent enough, dry eye refers to the inflammation of the cornea, and it can be very uncomfortable for your pup.  

Symptoms: Dryness, green eye discharge, irritation   

Cause: Immune-mediated diseases, infections 

Treatment: Tear stimulant medications 

Entropion 

Entropion causes the eyelids to roll inwards, irritating the eye’s surface. 

Symptoms: Corneal ulceration, squinting, tearing 

Cause: Usually hereditary, but sometimes results from secondary causes like corneal ulcers

Treatment: Surgery 

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease caused by a buildup of fluid that leads to increased pressure in the eye. It can progress quickly and is very painful, so it’s important to get help fast. 

Symptoms: Dilated pupil, pain, red eye, squinting, teariness, vision loss 

Cause: Often hereditary, but also from inflammation, infections, damage to the lens, tumors

Treatment: Eyedrops, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, beta blockers, surgery 

Nuclear sclerosis 

Nuclear sclerosis happens a lot in older dogs when their eyes become cloudy and they can’t see fine details as well as they once did. 

Symptoms: Cloudiness 

Cause: Aging 

Treatment: None (it’s a normal part of aging and doesn’t lead to total vision loss) 

Progressive retinal atrophy

Progressive retinal atrophy isn’t painful, but it does lead to blindness in dogs.  

Symptoms: Bumping into things, dilated pupils, hesitant to go outside at night or go down stairs, unusually reflective eyes when light is shined at them 

Cause: Hereditary  

Treatment: There’s no treatment, but most dogs navigate the world very successfully without their vision. 

Proptosis 

Proptosis is when the globe of the eye becomes displaced; it’s a veterinary emergency. 

Symptoms: Bulging eye from socket, redness, swelling 

Cause: Trauma 

Treatment: Surgery 

Are some breeds more prone to eye issues?

Sometimes, an eye symptom can be part of a more systemic problem: For example, red eyes might signal allergies in dogs — but you might notice your dog aggressively itching before you see their eyes are red. 

“The most common cause of eye issues in dogs depends on the dog’s breed and age, but allergies and environmental irritants like pollen, dust, wind, or smoke are often the main culprits,” says Colleen Lambo, DVM, a relief veterinarian with Roo. “These can lead to redness, itching, and discharge.”   

It’s also important to note that certain dogs might be predisposed to certain eye conditions. 

“Flat-faced breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Shih Tzu are prone to dry eye and corneal ulcers because their eyes are more exposed,” Dr. Lambo says. “Cocker Spaniels and Bulldogs are more likely to develop cherry eye.” 

And Dr. Sinko notes that Shar-Peis are predisposed to entropion, while Miniature Schnauzers are prone to cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy.  

That should never stop you from falling in love with one of those breeds — but it means that it’s something to look out for. 

When to see a vet for dog eye problems  

While some health conditions can be monitored at home, our experts don’t recommend waiting long to head to the veterinarian for an eye issue. 

Seemingly small things — like pawing at the eyes or a tiny bit of redness — might seem unimportant, but you should always take these signs seriously, particularly if they last more than a day. For example, if your dog had a “long day of play” and their eyes look a little pink, that might be normal. But if it doesn’t go away, pay attention, Dr. Villanueva says. 

Eye conditions can progress rapidly, so “‘Wait and see’ can be very dangerous,” Dr. Sinko adds. 

In most cases, you can make a routine veterinary appointment once you let your vet know what’s going on and they say it can wait to come in. However, there are a few conditions that should send you straight to the veterinary ER. 

These emergency symptoms should come as no surprise, but they include: 

• Bleeding 

• Bulging 

• Cloudiness that appears suddenly 

• Sudden vision loss 

Keep in mind that the more urgent you treat these issues, the better. “The prognosis largely depends on the stage of the disease being diagnosed and the patient’s response to treatment,” Dr. Villanueva says. 

Your vet has various ways to diagnose an eye issue. If they suspect vision loss, they might begin by checking your dog’s response to stimuli — for example, whether they blink in response to it. Your vet may want to dilate your pup’s pupils to examine the back of the eye or measure intraocular pressure if they suspect glaucoma or another condition. Fluorescein staining is a test that searches for foreign bodies in the eye or damage to the cornea. 

Depending on the issue, treatment can run the gamut, from topical antibiotics to surgery.  

At-home eye health checks for dogs

So, how can you help keep your dog’s eyes healthy at home?

“Thankfully, eyes stay healthy with minimal help,” Dr. Sinko says. 

But that doesn’t mean there’s no work to be done. Do your pup a favor and wipe away any eye goobers — those gunk-y things that show up in the corners — to keep them comfortable. 

“The best way to clean your dogs’ eyes at home is by using a clean, damp cotton pad or soft cloth with warm water or sterile saline solution,” Dr. Lambo says. She advises gently wiping outward from the inner corner of the eye, and avoid wiping toward the eye. Never use human eye drops unless prescribed by a veterinarian. 

“For dogs with tear staining, gentle daily cleaning can help prevent buildup,” she adds. 

Dr. Lambo also recommends the following checklist for your dog’s eyecare: 

• Check daily for symptoms like redness, cloudiness, or unusual discharge 

• Limit exposure to smoke, chemicals, and dusty areas 

• Use a harness instead of a collar for breeds prone to eye pressure  

• Schedule routine vet visits

Taking care of your dog’s vision is a sign of love 

Dogs are less dependent on vision than humans are, so if your dog ends up with an eye problem that affects the way they see, the good news is that they tend to adapt well to life without it. 

“Dogs do great without vision,” Dr. Sinko says. “I've even seen blind dogs still play fetch just from listening for the ball and then sniffing for it. They are incredible.”  

A pet insurance plan helps cover unexpected veterinary bills, so you can make decisions based on what’s best for your pup, not just what it costs.

Dr. Villanueva recommends a routine physical exam every six to 12 months, even if your pup seems healthy. She notes that “taking a proactive approach to eye care and keeping an eye out for any changes can help maintain your dog's eye health throughout their life.”

FAQs

Why is my dog’s eye red and watery?

If your dog’s eye looks red after play, that might be normal, but if the redness persists after things calm down, it could be a variety of conditions, from conjunctivitis to corneal ulcers. A vet visit is in order.

What does it mean if my dog has cloudy eyes?

Cloudy eyes in dogs can be a symptom of a problem (such as cataracts) or just a normal sign of aging. A vet will be able to tell the difference and offer advice. 

Can I use human eye drops on my dog?

No, never use human eye drops on your dog unless your vet suggests it. Chances are that your vet will recommend eye drops for dogs. 

Why is my dog squinting one eye?

Squinting isn’t normal and could suggest anything from entropion to glaucoma, or even that your dog has something stuck and irritating their eye. If you can’t find what’s bothering them, see a veterinarian to diagnose and treat it. 

References 

Canine Allergies, Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center 

Canine Dry Eye, Texas A&M 

Cataracts, Colorado State 

Cherry Eye, Colorado State 

Corneal Ulcers, University of Tennessee 

Corneal Ulcers, Oklahoma State 

Entropion, Colorado State 

Eye Exams for Dogs, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine 

Glaucoma, Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine 

Managing Conjunctivitis in Dogs, U of I College of Veterinary Medicine 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center 

Proptosis in Small Animals, MSD Manual