Why Are My Dog’s Eyes Red? Possible Reasons

Why are dogs’ eyes red? Dog owners can make out whenever their dog is stressed or unwell through their eyes. Red eyes in dogs suggests something serious that has been left unattended since long. 

Understanding the causes of red eyes can throw immediate light on underlying health concerns and prevent their eyes from long-term damage. The following causes or likely reasons for red eyes in dogs can help owners uncover serious medical issues and fix them in time.

Red Eyes in Dogs: Common Reasons Pet Owners Should Know

Dog Allergies

Red eyes in dogs can often be traced back to allergies, which may be a primary cause behind the cherry-like color in their eyes. Environmental factors such as dust mites can cause inflammation in their eyes. 

The constant rubbing as well as scratching can make your dog’s eyes red. The white portion of a dog’s eyes can become swollen due to dog allergies. It can heighten hair loss around the eyes. 

Reach out to a holistic veterinarian to offer relief to your pet. Dietary supplements to natural remedies, a vet can recommend solutions to such allergic reactions and identify the root cause of the problem.

Conjunctivitis

Pink eye or conjunctivitis can swell up the eyes of dogs and make them red. This bacterial or viral infection can even make a dog’s eyes produce a pus-like discharge. It can be a painful experience for your pet that can be noticed when a dog squints or blinks excessively than usual.

A simple saltwater rinse is a considerable cure for mild cases of conjunctivitis in pets. Herbal teas like calendula and chamomile can be used to treat mild conjunctivitis at home. However, if the red eye symptoms worsen, then pet owners should not delay their visits to the vet any longer.

Corneal Ulceration

Dogs can sometimes scratch or injure the clear membrane of their eyes. The scratch or opening can give bacteria entry into the eye and cause painful infection. This bacteria dissolves parts of cornea. Corneal ulceration can include pus-like discharge from eyes and severe squinting. 

Corneal ulceration can permanently damage a dog’s eyes if not treated in time. It can lead to loss of vision. Pugs and bulldogs can develop corneal ulceration quickly. Your vet knows how to handle cases of severe corneal ulceration effectively.

Eye Trauma

Minor eye trauma can cause redness and swelling in the eyes. It can increase the production of tears. Eye trauma can take 10-12 hours to heal. Is your pet blinking or else squinting more these days? Then, it can be because of discomfort from eye trauma.

Severe eye traumas can cause damage to eyeball. It can lead to swelling and create small and uneven patches of blood throughout the white portion of eyes. Professional care can save your dog from potential loss and vision.

Environmental Irritants

Red eyes in dogs can develop due to environmental irritants such as chlorine, cleaning products, etc. Potential triggers such as cigarette smoke and exposure to smog can heighten the risk of eye redness. That’s why it is important to keep your pet dog away from such an environment. 

A gentle eye rinse or lukewarm water can be used to soothe their eyes. It can help wash away any lingering environmental irritants. Consult the vet nearest to your location to prevent the eye problem from worsening any further.

Glaucoma 

An increased pressure on the eyeball can lead to glaucoma in dogs. It can occur rapidly in dogs and cause irreversible loss of vision. 

Excessive redness and swelling in the eyes can make the dog want to squint. Pet owners can even notice signs of pain and visible changes in the size of the pupil. 

Glaucoma cannot be reversed but an early intervention can help in better disease management. Surgery and medications can protect a dog’s eyes and relieve them from all that pressure. Veterinary care is essential to handle this situation better.

Dry Eye

A dog can develop eye redness because of dry eyes. Their eyes can fail to produce enough moisture at times and that’s what makes them more prone to sticky, red, and dry eyes. The irritation as well as inflammation can worsen the irritation. 

Dog breeds such as pugs and Shih Tzu face dry eyes the most. This autoimmune issue can be due to nerve damage, hormonal imbalances, etc. Pet owners need to indulge in good lifelong care of their dogs to prevent dry eye-related complications. 

Skin Disease

Skin Disease is another reason why dogs can get swollen red eyes. Pyoderma and cancer can cause redness and inflammation in the eyes. Irritated skin around eyes can further enhance the redness. This is a secondary symptom of an underlying skin condition. 

Shop for medication shampoos and topical ointments to resolve skin disease-related eye redness. Dog owners can make essential dietary changes after discussing the problems with their vet. They know what treatment plan can resolve not only the skin disease but also eye redness because of it.

Lens Luxation

The painful and genetic condition, Lens Luxation can even cause redness of eyes in dogs. The objective of the lens is focusing light on retina. It is fine for the lens to slip out of position when they have lens luxation. It can move in the front or at the back of the eye. 

Dogs with lens luxation problems can have very red eyes sometimes. The surgical removal of the lens can prevent blindness in dogs. Dog owners can make out when their pet dog has lens luxation through the touch of blush that is there on the cornea.

Congenital Eye Defects

Red eyes in dogs can also result from congenital eye defects. Dogs can develop congenital eye defects at the time of their birth. Congenital eye defects that dogs usually get at their birth time include collie eye anomaly, cataract, primary lens luxation, etc. 

Dogs that are born with congenital side effects can save themselves from the worst case scenarios by opting for surgeries to repair eye defects. From removing a portion of the eye to removing the entire eye, treating dogs that have congenital eye defects takes hard work and good professional veterinary care.