Dog conjunctivitis – when should I see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Book a vet visit

This is not usually an emergency on its own – contact your vet if it lasts, gets worse or your dog seems unwell in any other way. Dry eye is a very common cause of conjunctivitis in dogs.

When to contact a vet What to do now

Contact a vet if you see any of this

Your dog is off food or seems unwell
You suspect an eye ulcer

What you can do now

Contact your vet
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 human medicine
Do not wait if it gets worse

What it can mean

Conjunctivitis means inflammation, or swelling, of the conjunctiva, the thin tissue covering the inside of the eyelid and the front of the eye.^[1] Conjunctivitis can be caused by many different conditions.^[1] Dry eye is a very common cause of conjunctivitis in dogs, and dogs with dry eye do not produce enough tears.^[1] Eye ulcers are injuries such as scratches or grazes on the front of the eye and can become very serious if not treated quickly.^[1]

Other signs that can come with it

Pink or red eyes
Weepy eyes
Swollen eyes
A closed eye
Rubbing the eyes or face
A cloudy appearance to the eyes
Blinking more than usual

Possible causes

Bacterial eye infections
Dry eye
Eye ulcers
Eyelash disorders
Eyelid disorders
Exposure keratitis
Something stuck in the eye
Uveitis
Lens luxation
Lumps or swellings around the eyes

What the experts say

“Pink or red eye(s) ; Weepy eye(s) ; Swollen eye(s) ; Closed eye(s) ; Rubbing their eye(s) or face ; A cloudy appearance to eyes (blue eyes) ; Blinking more than usual ; Off food, unwell in themselves”
— 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.

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Common questions

What is conjunctivitis in dogs?

Conjunctivitis means inflammation, or swelling, of the conjunctiva, the thin tissue covering the inside of the eyelid and the front of the eye.^[1]

What can cause conjunctivitis in dogs?

Dry eye is a very common cause of conjunctivitis in dogs, and many bacteria can cause eye infections.^[1]

What signs can come with conjunctivitis?

Signs can include pink or red eyes, weepy eyes, swollen eyes, a closed eye, rubbing the eyes or face, a cloudy appearance to the eyes and blinking more than usual.^[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