Dog symptom guide
My Dog's Eye Is Swollen or Red — Do I Need the Vet?
Swelling, squinting, discharge, or visible injury usually needs a vet within 24 hours. Sudden bulging or eye protrusion is an emergency.
Prompt care protects vision
Get a personalized assessment → Free Dog Triage ToolWhat this symptom can mean
Eye problems can worsen quickly and may become painful before obvious structural changes appear. A red or swollen eye can result from allergy, irritation, scratch, foreign material, eyelid issues, infection, glaucoma, or trauma. Because vision can be affected, even seemingly small eye changes deserve prompt attention.
If your dog is squinting, pawing at the face, producing thick discharge, or keeping the eye closed, avoid delay. Sudden bulging, severe trauma, or an eye that appears pushed forward is an emergency. Triage helps you decide whether to seek urgent care now or same-day outpatient evaluation.
Use this page as a fast decision guide, not a diagnosis. A symptom can look mild early and become urgent later, especially overnight. The safest approach is to combine your dog's symptom details with behavior, breathing, hydration, and gum color. If multiple warning signs appear together, urgency rises quickly.
If you are unsure, choose the safer option and run triage now. The goal is to avoid missing emergencies while also reducing unnecessary panic trips. Taking two minutes to assess timing, progression, and red flags gives your veterinary team better information and helps you act with confidence.
Common causes
- • Corneal scratch or foreign material in the eye
- • Conjunctivitis, allergy, or irritation
- • Eyelid/eyelash abnormalities causing chronic irritation
- • Glaucoma or pressure-related eye disease
- • Blunt trauma to the face or eye
When it IS an emergency
- • Sudden eye bulging, severe trauma, or obvious globe displacement
- • Severe pain, persistent closed eye, or neurologic changes
- • Rapidly worsening swelling with lethargy or fever
When it may be okay to wait briefly
- • Mild redness without pain and normal behavior while arranging prompt vet care
- • No vision changes and no progression over short observation window
What you can do at home while monitoring
- • Prevent rubbing by using a cone if available
- • Do not use human eye drops unless your vet approves
- • Gently clean discharge around eye with saline and gauze only
- • Use triage and seek prompt care if signs persist
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FAQ
Can an eye scratch heal on its own?
Some minor injuries do, but untreated corneal damage can worsen quickly and threaten vision.
Is eye redness ever normal?
Brief mild irritation can occur, but persistent redness or pain should be checked by a vet.
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Take the free 2-minute quiz →This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. If you believe your dog is in immediate danger, contact your nearest emergency veterinary hospital.