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Conjunctivitis in Dogs

Conjunctivitis in Dogs 

Updated on February 03, 2023
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Reviewed by Dr. Whitney Miller
DVM, MBA, DACVPM

Can dogs get pink eye? The answer is yes. In fact, conjunctivitis—the scientific term for pink eye—is one of the issues addressed in our 9 Common Health Condition in Dogs article. Conjunctivitis in dogs is usually highly treatable, but that doesn’t mean you can afford to ignore it. If left untreated, pink eye in canines can cause serious eye damage.

Here’s what you need to know about dog pink eye, including what to look for, what causes the condition and how to treat it effectively.

What is dog pink eye?

Pink eye can strike dogs of any breed and at any age. It can affect a single eye or both eyes. It occurs when the mucous membrane over a dog’s eye, eyelids and third eyelid becomes infected or inflamed. This membrane is known as the conjunctiva and serves as a protective barrier for the eye.

 How do dogs get pink eye?

Canine conjunctivitis is somewhat peculiar in that it can be brought on by a range of factors—from viruses to bacteria and even dust or pollen. It can also be a singular disease or a symptom of a more significant illness or eye disease.  

Some of the most common causes of dog pink eye are viruses and bacteria, known respectively as viral conjunctivitis and bacterial conjunctivitis. Is conjunctivitis contagious in dogs? Yes, it’s highly contagious.

Another widespread cause is allergies. Anything from pollen to dust mites, mold, dander and certain drugs and medications can trigger an allergic reaction that includes pink eye. 

An injury can also cause conjunctivitis in your dog’s eye. For example, if your pup scratches their eye while playing with another dog or they get debris in their eye during a hike or walk, they may develop the condition.

Less common causes of canine pink eye include tumors on the eyelids or conjunctiva, obstructed or inflamed tear ducts, genetic conditions and eye diseases like ulcerative keratitis and glaucoma.

What are the symptoms?

Dog pink eye symptoms include:

  • Redness 
  • Itching 
  • Discharge 
  • Puffy eyelids 
  • Watery eyes

Certain behaviors may also indicate conjunctivitis in dogs. Look for squinting, pawing at the eyes and excessive blinking. Discharge from the eyes may be clear, yellowish or greenish.

If you suspect your dog has pink eye, schedule an appointment with your vet right away.

Do I need to take my dog to the vet for conjunctivitis?

In most cases, pink eye in dogs can be successfully treated—especially if you begin treatment as early as possible. The key is to bring your dog to your vet. Do not try to treat dog pink eye on your own. If you administer the wrong kind of eye drops for dog conjunctivitis, you could worsen their condition.

In rare cases, pink eye can be a symptom of a more severe condition—such as glaucoma—that could require surgery or ongoing care. Your dog may have permanent scarring on their eyes or experience vision problems in these instances.

Never ignore the symptoms of dog pink eye. Failing to treat your pet could lead to the conditioning worsening or even permanent vision damage. The quicker you start treatment, the more successful the outcome is likely to be.

How do vets diagnose conjunctivitis in dogs?

Your vet will need to diagnose the cause of your dog’s pink eye to prescribe the correct treatment. It’s also important for your veterinarian to determine whether your pet’s pink eye is from a singular event or a symptom of another disease. Your vet may perform different tests on your pet to discover these critical answers.

Your veterinarian will likely start with a detailed ophthalmic exam of your pet’s entire eye structure, including the eye, eyelids, tear ducts, the third eyelid and even their eyelashes. They’ll also ask you questions about the symptoms you’ve observed to help determine your dog’s pink eye treatment.

If your veterinarian suspects allergies may be behind your pup’s condition, they may test for specific allergic reactions. Likewise, a bacterial culture can determine if your canine suffers from a bacterial infection. Your vet may also perform a Schirmer tear production test to ensure your dog’s tear ducts are producing tears normally, as well as a corneal stain test to look for damage to their cornea. An intraocular pressure test can reveal signs of glaucoma and uveitis.

Additional tests can help rule out increasingly uncommon causes. Sometimes, finding the reason behind pink eye can be a process of elimination until a test comes back positive. 

Once your vet has a clear idea of what is causing your dog’s conjunctivitis, they can prescribe an effective dog conjunctivitis treatment.  

How do I treat conjunctivitis in dogs?

The right dog pink eye treatment will depend on what is causing your pup’s condition. A viral infection is typically treated with steroid eye drops, while a bacterial infection is often treated with antibiotic eye drops. Your vet may also prescribe special eye drops to stimulate tear production or antihistamines if allergies are the cause of your dog’s pink eye. Other eye drops may be ordered to keep your dog’s eyes lubricated and to help ease itching. If you’re looking for solutions, you can find them online at Petco.

If your dog’s condition is caused by debris in their eye, your vet may be able to remove it while your pet is sedated or under local anesthesia. Surgery may be required in rare cases, like if your pet’s issue is caused by a blocked tear duct or eye abnormality.

During your dog’s conjunctivitis treatment, your vet may recommend that they wear a protective collar to help prevent them from pawing at their eyes and causing more damage. Depending on how contagious your pet’s condition is, you may also be advised to separate them from other household pets and family members.

How do I give eye drops to my dog?

Eye drops are a common method of delivering treatment for conjunctivitis in dogs. Your vet may prescribe steroids, antibiotics, eye moistening drops or other kinds of eye drops for your pet.

Wash your hands thoroughly before giving your pet eye drops for dog conjunctivitis. Wear gloves if your pup has a contagious form of pink eye.

Gently clean your dog’s eyes with sterile eye wash or a pet eye wipe. Hold the eye drop bottle or dropper between the thumb and forefinger of your dominant hand. Use the thumb of your other hand to pull down your dog’s lower eyelid, placing your other fingers under your dog’s chin.

Hold the bottle near the eye and squeeze the prescribed number of drops onto the eye. Try to drop on the center of the eye. You may want to rest your hand on your dog’s head for added stability so that you don’t touch your dog’s eye with the tip of the bottle. Wash your hands thoroughly after administering your dog’s pink eye treatment.

When your pup blinks, they’ll naturally spread the drops around their eye. Performing can be difficult, especially for anxious dogs. Offer your dog praise, pets and treats throughout the treatment process to help them associate eyedrops with positive experiences.

Is conjunctivitis contagious in dogs?

Certain forms of conjunctivitis in dogs can be contagious to the other pets in your household, including other canines and felines. Some bacterial and viral strains are species-specific, so bring this topic up with your vet. If your dog’s condition is contagious to other pets in the household, you’ll need to isolate them until their treatment is complete.

Can I get pink eye from my dog?

If your dog is diagnosed with pink eye, you may wonder if you or members of your family could be at risk of contracting the condition. Although it is possible for humans to get pink eye from dogs, this is—fortunately—a very rare occurrence. To protect your family members, wear gloves when giving your pet eye drops for dog conjunctivitis and wash your hands thoroughly afterward. Avoid touching any discharge from your dog’s eye.

On the other side of the coin, humans can give pink eye to their pets. If a member of your household has pink eye, they should avoid touching their eyes as much as possible and try to avoid interacting with any family pets. It may be challenging not to snuggle with your pup, but keeping your distance for a few weeks can help prevent them from contracting canine conjunctivitis.

How can I prevent pink eye in my dog?

It can be difficult to prevent some forms of dog pink eye and utterly impossible to avoid others. Pink eye caused by allergies, eye abnormalities or genetics can’t typically be prevented. Breeders may want to test the eyes of dogs susceptible to eye conditions before choosing to breed them.

Keeping a close watch on your dog—especially during playtime with other dogs—may help stop roughhousing that could result in an eye injury. Otherwise, one of the best preventive measures is to check your dog’s eyes regularly during home grooming sessions. In fact, home grooming sessions are a great time to perform an overall health and wellness check. If you notice any eye redness, swelling or other symptoms of conjunctivitis in dogs, make an appointment with your vet right away.

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