We have all heard that the eyes are the window to the soul, and when we gaze into the sweet eyes of our pup, we feel the deep emotion and love they have for us. Having the privilege to care for these wonderful creatures also comes with the responsibility to love them well by knowing the signs of eye infections in dogs. Most importantly, learn the early warning signs of eye issues or irritation to help them before it turns into an infection.
Our dog’s eyes are similar to our human eyes, but with some very cool differences. Even though most people have heard that dogs are “colorblind” that isn’t true. They see color differently, and only see blue-violet and yellow colors, and shades of gray. In part of the eye known as the retina, dogs have more rods that help them to see 10-20 better with things that are moving than we do. They are able to see even small changes in how we move or stand. This is why we train dogs to follow silent hand signals.
Another difference in your pup’s eyes is their mirror-like membrane that some behind their retinas that helps with night vision and makes their eyes glow. Dogs see better at night than in the daytime.
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How do eye infections in dogs happen?
Many dogs will have an eye infection at least once in their life. A common cause is just from dogs being dogs - they are curious and explore face first! Hunting breeds and other curious dogs may scratch their eye or the surrounding areas when chasing prey and diving into bushes.
Foreign objects, even as small as dust, could irritate and scratch the eye causing infections.
On breezy days they are also at risk of something blowing in and irritating the eyes.
Swimming in a lake or pond is another risk of dirt getting into the eyes. There are eye infections caused by bacteria also, which can easily spread to both eyes.
Chronic dry eyes easily get irritated and infected also.
Allergies are another common cause of recurring eye issues. Some dogs have allergies that can make their eyes feel itchy and watery. When a dog has allergies, their eyes might get red or puffy. This can happen because they’re allergic to things like pollen, dust, or certain foods. If a dog’s eyes are bothering them, they might rub them with their paws or blink a lot.
Dog breeds with shorter noses and loose skin are more likely to have infections, or blocked tear ducts. The shape of their faces or the loose skin makes it hard for tears to drain.
Some of these breeds are:
- Boxer
- English Bulldog
- Beagle
- Bloodhound
- Saint Bernard
- Cocker Spaniel
- Pug
- Poodle
- Maltese
- Pekingese
- Shih Tzu
What are the signs and symptoms of eye infections in dogs?
To best care for your furry friend, it's important to know what causes these infections, what signs to look for besides the runny eyes, and how to help your dog feel better.
The first signs of a dog eye infection are very similar to the symptoms we would have. If your dog has any of these symptoms for more than a few days, it is likely you are dealing with an eye infection in your dog.
- Red eyes
- Weepy/watery eyes
- Yellow or Green discharge at the corner of eyes and under eyelids
- Excessive rubbing, blinking, or constant squinting.
- Sensitivity to light
- The third eyelid looking “popped out”
Are Dog Eye Infections Contagious?
Not all eye infections in dogs are the same. There are eye infections that will spread to other pets, and some eye infections in dogs will not. It all depends on the cause of the eye-infection.
If the dog eye infection is caused by a virus or bacteria, it is contagious not only to their other eye, but also to other dogs. For eye infections that may be contagious, separate your pets if possible to keep it from spreading.
When you are caring for your dog, wear gloves and throw them away right away to keep from spreading the bacteria around your home and to your own eyes.
Keeping the eyes clean of discharge as much as possible is the best way to keep the dog eye infection from spreading.
How Do I treat my dog’s eye infection at home?
If you notice the beginnings of an infection and know there was no injury to the eye, don’t delay in helping them heal.
- Clean: With gloves on and a clean damp cloth, wipe the corners of the eyes gently to remove any discharge or runnyness. If it is hard to remove, use a warm washcloth to hold on the eyes to dissolve it and then wipe away.
- Rinse: Make your own saline rinse with 1 cup of distilled water and 1 teaspoon of salt
- Soothe: If your dog will corporate, warm chamomile tea bags can help heal and make comforting compresses when held on the eyes.
- Treat: Our BestLife4Pets Natural Dog Eye Infection Treatment - Helps Conjunctivitis, Watery Eyes, Red Eye, and General Eye Care. Our homeopathic remedy helps to reduce swelling, inflammation, redness, and pain. It has ingredients targeted to support the immune system in healing.
How do I prevent an eye infection in my dog?
Know your pup:
Checking your dogs eyes daily when hanging out is the best way to know their eye health. Look for redness, discharge, cloudiness, or any change of behavior. Knowing early on is great for preventing bigger problems.
Keep the eyes clean:
The best way to prevent eye infections in dogs is to practice keeping them clean. Take a quick moment daily to wipe the corners of the eyes with clean hands and a damp cloth, gently taking away any dirt or dust that could irritate or scratch the eyes. If your dog has long hair, also trim that fur so it does not bother the eyes.
Eyewear:
No matter what the weather, your dog will need to go outside for exercise or even just to go potty. On windy days or for hikes through lots of tall plants, use dog goggles to protect their eyes. You may find dog goggles to protect your dog from eye infections online or maybe in your local pet store.
Fuel them well:
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” - Hippocrates is as true today as it was when originally quoted thousands of years ago! Be sure your pup is eating a nourishing diet that mirrors what their native ancestors would have enjoyed. Our BestLife4Pets Natural Dog Eye Infection Treatment is not just good for infected eyes but also has ingredients to support their immune system to help prevent infections, fight allergies and infections, and ease eye strain.
Control the controllables:
Even though we can’t control the wind or weather, the inside of our home is all ours to make the best choices in. Many of the products made for dogs, such as shampoos and flea treatments can bother the eyes. Be very careful in what you choose to use, take care to not get anything in the eyes, and always rinse well. Also, many typical household products, especially anything with added fragrances such as laundry soaps or air fresheners, will bother a dog’s eyes (and they aren’t good for us either!). Make the switch to natural products and you and your dog will do better!
When is an eye infection in my dog serious?
Eye infections in dogs can be very serious and even lead to blindness or the loss of the physical eye if not treated. They also could be a sign of another infection that may need treatment.
As always, if your dog may be dehydrated, seems depressed, or is very sick or lethargic, see a trusted veterinarian right away as they may need emergency treatment.
Dogs are not known for acting and hunting with caution, so if you know or suspect they may have injured their eye, emergency treatment is needed. Corneal ulcers and trauma can quickly lead to blindness so see a trusted veterinarian right away.
Caring for your dog's eyes is as simple as just paying a little extra attention when giving them love! Dogs love to gaze into their human's eyes, it releases oxytocin, also known as the "love hormone." This helps you and your dog to feel closer and more bonded. During this time, you can easily look at the health of their eyes for visable symptoms, then grab a quick cloth to make sure the corners of the eyes are clean.
Your dog trusts and depends on you, and as a committed dog parent, be sure to take good care of keeping those amazing eyes healthy!
