Dog runny eyes – when should I see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Contact a vet today

This can have a serious cause – contact your vet today if any of the warning signs below apply, or if you are unsure. Runny eyes in dogs can be linked to eye infections, injuries, dry eye, eyelash or eyelid problems, or something stuck in the eye.

When to contact a vet What to do now

Contact a vet if you see any of this

Continual weeping
Sticky discharge
Holding the eyes closed
Squinting
Rubbing the eyes
Redness or swelling
Cloudy eyes

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.
Let your dog rest somewhere calm.
Keep fresh water available.

Don't

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

What it can mean

Runny eyes can be linked to eye infections, corneal ulcers or other eye injuries, dry eye, itchy skin, eyelash problems and eyelid problems.^[1] Other possible causes include wind exposure, lumps in or around the eye, something stuck in the eye and breed-related factors.^[1] A small amount of crusting in the corner of the eyes can be normal, but continual weeping or sticky discharge is not.^[1] Flat-faced breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs and Pekingese tend to have weepy eyes and tear staining because of the shape of their face.^[1]

Other signs that can come with it

Coughing or sneezing

Possible causes

Eye infections
Corneal ulcers or other eye injuries
Dry eye
Itchy skin
Eyelash problems
Eyelid problems
Breed-related factors
Wind exposure
Lumps in or around the eye
Something stuck in the eye

What the experts say

“Breed-related - flat faced breeds such as the Pug, Bulldog and Pekingese tend to have weepy eyes and tear staining due to the shape of their face.”
— 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

Is a small amount of eye crusting normal?

A small amount of crusting in the corner of the eyes can be normal, but continual weeping or sticky discharge is not.^[1]

What can cause runny eyes in dogs?

Possible causes include eye infections, corneal ulcers or other eye injuries, dry eye, itchy skin, eyelash problems, eyelid problems, wind exposure, lumps in or around the eye, and something stuck in the eye.^[1]

When should I contact a vet?

Contact your vet as soon as you notice a problem, and straight away if anything is wrong with your dog’s eyes.^[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

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