Dog eye problems – 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. Eye problems in dogs can include weeping or discharge, redness or swelling, cloudiness, and pain.

When to contact a vet What to do now

Contact a vet if you see any of this

Any change in your dog's eyes
Pain

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 wait if it gets worse.

What it can mean

A change in your dog's eyes should be taken seriously to help prevent loss of vision.^[1] Eye problems can include weeping or discharge, redness or swelling, cloudiness, pain, a visible third eyelid, a lump, loss of vision, blood in the eye, a bulging eye, or a change in the pupil's size or shape.^[1]

Other signs that can come with it

Weeping or discharge
Redness or swelling
Cloudiness
Blinking or keeping one or both eyes closed
Third eyelid showing
A lump in or around the eye
Loss of vision
Blood in the eye

What the experts say

“Weeping/discharge ; Redness or swelling ; Cloudiness ; Pain/blinking/keeping one or both eye(s) closed ; Third eyelid showing ; A lump in or around the eye ; Loss of vision ; Blood in the eye ; A bulging eye ; A change in the size or shape of the pupil”
— 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

When should I contact my vet about my dog's eyes?

Contact your vet for an appointment if you notice a change in your dog's eyes.^[1]

When is an eye problem urgent?

If your dog is in pain, book an urgent appointment.^[1]

What signs can eye problems cause in dogs?

Signs can include weeping or discharge, redness or swelling, cloudiness, pain, blinking or keeping one or both eyes closed, a third eyelid showing, a lump in or around the eye, loss of vision, blood in the eye, a bulging eye, or a change in the size or shape of the pupil.^[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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