Causes of Red and Swollen Dog Eyes: What to Know

Section 1: Causes of Swollen Dog Eyes

Dogs may occasionally scratch themselves with their paws or accidentally get scratched during play with other dogs, which can lead to eye injuries and subsequent swelling. Additionally, many pet owners are guilty of sharing human food with their pets, which often contains spices like chili and salt. These ingredients can cause discomfort in the dog's body, potentially resulting in eye swelling. Another common cause is entropion, where the eyelids roll inward, allowing eyelashes to irritate the eye and cause redness and swelling.

Section 2: What to Do When Your Dog's Eyes Are Swollen?

1. Check for Entropion or Excess Fur: If you notice that your dog has eyelashes that are scratching the eye or if there is an abundance of fur around the eyes, you can trim the fur around the eyes. Apply a therapeutic ointment like gentamicin ointment to help with keratitis. In cases of entropion, surgical correction may be necessary.

2. No Injuries or Foreign Objects: If there are no signs of injury or foreign objects, and your dog does not have a fever, diarrhea, or other abnormal symptoms, the swelling may be due to acute conjunctivitis caused by inflammation. Use a clean, warm, damp cloth to gently remove the discharge from your dog's eyes. Then, apply the ointment by flipping the eyelid near the lashes.

Section 3: How to Protect Your Dog's Eyes

1. Wipe Away Eye Discharge: Normally, dog eye discharge is lightcolored, but it can turn brown and harden in the corners when dry. Use a wet wipe or a damp cloth to clean it away. Dogs with excessive eye discharge may require more frequent cleaning.

2. Clean the Eyes: Use a cotton ball dipped in a small amount of warm water and salt solution, or a dedicated eye wash, to gently wipe the eyes. Alternatively, you can drop 12 drops directly into the eye to clear away dust and debris (except for tear stains, which should only be cleaned around the corners and not inside the eye). Avoid letting shampoo or other products enter the eyes during baths. If they do, rinse them out immediately.

3. Prevent Eye Injuries: Direct sunlight can be irritating to a dog's eyes, so it's best to avoid walking your dog in the midday sun. Keep the fur around the eyes long enough to shield them from direct sunlight and dust. Also, regularly trim your dog's nails to prevent them from scratching their eyes during play.

Pet Doctor's Tip: For more information on why a dog's eyes might be red and swollen, check out our article "What Causes Swollen Dog Eyes?"