Eyelash problems in dogs – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Book a vet visit

Book a vet appointment if you think your dog has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Eyelash problems are eyelashes that grow in the wrong place or direction and rub the front of the eye.

What to do now

What you can do now

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

Don't

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

What it is

Eyelashes growing in the wrong place or direction can rub the front of the eye and cause irritation, pain and damage.[1] Left untreated, abnormal eyelashes can lead to corneal ulcers, scarring and loss of vision.[1]

Signs

  • Weepy eye(s)
  • Red eye(s)
  • Sore or painful eye(s)
  • Excessive blinking
  • Corneal ulcers
  • Scarring on the surface of the eye

How vets treat it

  • Surgery to cut away the lash and its root
  • Cryotherapy to remove the lash by freezing
  • Electrolysis to remove the lash by destroying the root
  • Hospitalisation

What the experts say

“Overview. Eyelashes growing in the wrong place or direction often rub the front of the eye, cause irritation, pain and damage. Left untreated, abnormal lashes can lead to severe problems such as corneal ulcers, scarring and even loss of vision.”

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?

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Common questions

What signs can eyelash problems cause in dogs?

Signs can include a weepy eye, red eye, a sore or painful eye and excessive blinking.[1]

Can eyelash problems damage a dog’s eye?

They can cause irritation, pain and damage, and untreated abnormal eyelashes can lead to corneal ulcers, scarring and loss of vision.[1]

How may a vet treat eyelash problems?

A vet may remove problem eyelashes with surgery, cryotherapy or electrolysis.[1]

Sources

  1. 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

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