Dry eye in dogs – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Contact a vet today

Contact your vet today if you think your dog has this – it can become serious. Dry eye is an eye condition in dogs.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet today.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.
Let your dog rest somewhere calm.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

Dry eye can cause thick, sticky discharge, red painful irritated eyes, cloudy or dull eyes, frequent eye infections and eye ulcers.^[1] PDSA advises contacting your vet straight away if you notice your dog has symptoms of dry eye.^[1] Dry eye tends to develop gradually, with symptoms that get worse over time.^[1]

Signs

A thick, sticky discharge
Red, painful or irritated eyes
Cloudy or dull eyes with a lack of shine
Frequent eye infections
Eye ulcers

gradual

Causes and risk factors

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Pug
West Highland White Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier
Shih Tzu

How a vet finds out

Eye examination

How vets treat it

Surgery
Antibiotics
Eye drops or ointment
Medication

Breeds prone to this

Veterinary charities list these breeds as more likely than others to get this condition. Each breed page lists the inherited conditions documented in the breed.

What the experts say

“Your vet can diagnose dry eye based on your dog’s symptoms and by performing a ‘Schirmer Tear Test’ (STT). This is a painless procedure that involves placing a very small strip of paper between your dog’s eyelid and eye.”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What signs can dry eye cause in dogs?

Signs can include thick, sticky discharge; red, painful, irritated eyes; cloudy or dull eyes; frequent eye infections; and eye ulcers.^[1]

When should I contact a vet?

Contact your vet straight away if you notice your dog has symptoms of dry eye.^[1]

Does dry eye develop suddenly?

Dry eye tends to develop gradually, and symptoms can get worse over time.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages