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Dry Eye in Dogs: Signs, Causes, and How to Help Your Pooch

Dry Eye in Dogs: Signs, Causes, and How to Help Your Pooch - Barking Heads & Meowing Heads

Our dogs’ peepers reveal a whole lot about their overall health. If you spot redness, funky discharge, or excessive squinting, it is completely natural to worry. We understand as pet parents need to learn the warning signs and the root causes. Here is everything you need to keep an eye out for.

What is dry eye in dogs?

Known in the vet world as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), dry eye happens when your dog doesn't produce enough tears to keep things comfortably lubricated.

Tears do much more than show emotion! They wash away debris and protect the surface of the eye from irritation and bad bacteria. When tear production drops, the eye may become dry, irritated and inflamed. Over time, untreated dry eye can often lead to complications.

What are the signs of dry eye in dogs?

The signs vary depending on the severity of the condition. Keep a close watch for these common clues:

  • Red or angry-looking eyes
  • Squinting or keeping the eyes partially closed
  • Excessive blinking
  • Thick, sticky, or yellow/green discharge
  • A dull, dry, or cloudy appearance to the eye
  • Obvious signs of discomfort

Remember, these symptoms are not exclusive to dry eye. Allergies, conjunctivitis, or a simple scratch easily produce similar signs. Always speak to your vet rather than trying to play doggy doctor yourself!

What causes dry eye in dogs?

There is no single culprit behind dry eye. Immune-mediated disease affecting the tear-producing glands takes the top spot for causing KCS, though several other factors play a part.

Other potential causes include:

  • Certain medications: Specific meds affect tear production in dogs. If your pooch takes medication and develops symptoms, your vet may advise if there is a connection.
  • Neurological problems: Issues affecting the nerves involved in tear production sometimes result in reduced tears.
  • Other health conditions: Underlying health conditions frequently link to KCS. This is exactly why a proper veterinary examination is so important!
  • Genetics and breed: KCS affects any pup, but some breeds are more predisposed to developing the condition. UK primary veterinary care records show breeds like Cocker Spaniels, Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Lhasa Apsos, Pugs, Shih Tzus, and Westies often have a higher risk.

Is food the culprit behind dry eye?

Currently, there is absolutely no established evidence that a specific dog food ingredient may cause dry eye in dogs.

If you ever worry about your dog's food or notice changes to their health, speak to your vet before making significant dietary swaps. A complete and balanced diet provides the nutrients your dog needs as part of their everyday nutrition, playing a massive role in supporting their overall health. 

What to do if you suspect dry eye

Notice persistent redness, discharge, squinting, or cloudiness? Book a trip to your vet!

They will examine your dog's eyes and perform tests to determine exactly what is going on. One of the key tests used to diagnose dry eye is the Schirmer Tear Test, which measures tear production. Your vet might also carry out other examinations using a special dye to check the surface of the eye for complications like corneal ulcers.

Getting a diagnosis is vital because several different eye conditions look similar but require very different treatments.

How is dry eye treated?

Treatment depends entirely on the cause and severity of the condition. Your vet will likely recommend treatments such as:

  • Lubricating eye drops or artificial tears
  • Medication to stimulate tear production
  • Medication to help manage inflammation
  • Treatment for an underlying health condition
  • Treatment for secondary infections or corneal damage

Some dogs with KCS require ongoing treatment and monitoring to keep their eyes comfortable and healthy. Treatment is often long-term, particularly where the underlying cause is immune-mediated. And a quick reminder: never use human eye drops or medication on your dog unless your vet explicitly tells you to do so!

Will dry eye cause blindness?

Severe, untreated dry eye often causes significant damage to the surface of the eye. Without adequate tears, the cornea becomes irritated and inflamed, which sometimes leads to ulcers, scarring, and secondary infections. In the most serious of cases, this may affect a dog's vision.

The reassuring news is that dry eye is highly manageable with appropriate veterinary treatment! That is exactly why seeking veterinary advice the moment you notice persistent changes to your dog's eyes is important.

How to look after your dog's eyes

While we are unable to prevent every single cause of dry eye, regularly checking your dog's eyes helps you spot changes early. As part of your normal grooming routine, look for:

  • Clear, bright eyes
  • No unusual redness or swelling
  • Normal, clear discharge (if any)
  • No squinting or excessive blinking
  • A clear, glossy surface to the eye

If something looks a bit off, do not wait for it to get worse. The PDSA recommends contacting your vet the moment you notice anything wrong with your dog's eyes, as some eye conditions quickly become more serious if treatment is delayed.

        FAQs: Dry Eye in Dogs

        Is dry eye painful for my dog?
        Yes, it certainly is! Reduced tear production leaves the eye dry and scratchy, which hurts. If your pup squints, blinks a lot, or rubs their face, they are likely feeling the pinch.

        Are human eye drops safe for dogs?
        Absolutely not. Never share your own eye drops with your dog unless your vet specifically tells you to do so. Some human ingredients are harmful to dogs.

        Should I change my dog's food if their eyes look red?
        Always chat with your vet before making a menu swap! Red eyes happen for many reasons, from seasonal allergies to simple scratches. Your vet may diagnose and advise if a diet change is right for your dog.

        Will dry eye just go away on its own?
        Unfortunately, no. Dry eye requires proper veterinary care and often needs long-term management to keep your dog comfortable and protect their vision.

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        If your dog comes running the moment the fish hits the pan, you're not imagining it. Fish is a firm favourite in a lot of dog bowls, and white fish in particular has quietly become one of the most popular proteins in British dog food. But is it actually good for them, or is it just a tasty treat? The short answer is that white fish is a brilliant, lean source of protein that suits a lot of dogs beautifully. There are a few things worth understanding, though, including one common mix-up about omega-3 and a couple of safety points that many articles gloss over. Let's get into it. What actually counts as white fish? White fish simply means the milder, paler, leaner types of fish, as opposed to the darker, oilier ones. The two groups have quite different nutritional profiles, so it's a useful distinction to get straight. White fish includes cod, haddock, pollock, coley, whiting and hake. These are lean, with most of their goodness coming from protein rather than fat. Oily fish includes salmon, sardines, mackerel and trout. These are higher in fat, which is where their famous omega-3 comes from. Keep that split in mind, because it explains both what white fish is great at and where it has its limits. Is white fish good for dogs? The real benefits For most dogs, white fish is a genuinely good addition to a balanced diet. Here's what it brings to the bowl: Lean, high-quality protein. Protein is the building block for healthy muscles, and white fish delivers plenty of it without much fat, which makes it a sensible choice for dogs watching their waistline. Naturally low in fat. That lightness is part of why white fish tends to sit so well, even with more delicate dogs. A good source of B vitamins. White fish provides vitamin B12 and niacin, which help the body turn food into energy. Useful minerals. It's a source of selenium (an antioxidant mineral that helps protect the body's cells), phosphorus (which works with calcium for healthy bones) and iodine (which supports the thyroid gland, the little gland that helps regulate metabolism). A protein many sensitive dogs do well on. Fish is one of the less common triggers of food reactions in dogs, sitting well behind beef, dairy and chicken (Mueller et al., 2016). For a dog that reacts to the usual suspects, a fish-based recipe can be worth exploring with your vet. Seriously tempting. That savoury, fishy smell is hard for most dogs to resist, which makes white fish handy for fussy or under-the-weather pups who need encouragement to eat. A quick note on jargon: an "adverse food reaction" is the catch-all term vets use for any tummy or skin upset linked to food. True food allergies, where the immune system overreacts, are actually quite rare in dogs. Most dogs labelled "allergic" have a milder food sensitivity, which is why we prefer that word. The myth worth busting: white fish isn't an omega-3 powerhouse Here's the bit that trips a lot of people up. Fish and omega-3 go hand in hand in our minds, so it's easy to assume any fish is loaded with it. With white fish, that's not quite true. Because white fish is so lean, it's actually fairly low in omega-3 compared with oily fish. Omega-3 lives in fish fat, and white fish simply doesn't carry much. So if your main goal is supporting your dog's skin, coat and joints, omega-3 from oily fish like salmon is the star turn, and it's exactly why well-made recipes often add salmon oil on top (Martinez, 2020). In other words: Choose white fish for lean, gentle protein. Look to oily fish or added fish oil when you want a meaningful omega-3 boost. If a glossy coat is your mission, our Hair Necessities salmon recipe is built around exactly that, and you can read more in our guide on why a dog's coat goes dry. Which dogs benefit most from white fish? White fish earns its place in plenty of bowls, but it really shines for: Dogs with sensitive tummies, thanks to its lightness. Our guide to food for dogs with sensitive stomachs goes deeper on this. Dogs with sensitivities to common proteins. Because some dogs have never eaten fish before, it can be a useful option in a vet-guided elimination diet (a careful process of removing and reintroducing foods to find the culprit). Our explainer on what hypoallergenic dog food means is a helpful starting point. Dogs watching their weight, since white fish offers protein without piling on fat. Fussy or recovering dogs, who are often won over by that strong, savoury aroma. As ever, if your dog has ongoing tummy or skin troubles, your vet is the right person to help you get to the bottom of it rather than guessing at home. How to feed white fish safely This is where a few fish facts really matter, and getting them right saves a lot of worry: Cook it, and don't rely on raw. Raw fish contains an enzyme called thiaminase, which breaks down thiamine (vitamin B1, essential for the nerves and brain). A diet built largely around raw fish can lead to a thiamine deficiency over time, and cooking deactivates the enzyme (Kritikos et al., 2017; Markovich et al., 2013). A complete, properly cooked fish recipe sidesteps the problem entirely. Remove the bones. Cooked fish bones can splinter and pose a choking or internal-injury risk, so they're a firm no. Skip the salt and seasoning. That means no battered, fried or smoked fish, and definitely no sharing your fish and chips. Smoked fish in particular is far too salty for dogs. Keep portions sensible. Fish should be part of a complete, balanced diet rather than a free-for-all. If you're offering plain cooked fish as a treat, keep treats to no more than around a tenth of your dog's daily food, and always check the on-pack feeding guide for amounts. Introduce it gradually. If you're switching your dog onto a fish-based food, do it over a couple of weeks to keep their tummy settled. White fish or oily fish: which does your dog need? This isn't really an either-or, because the two do different jobs: White fish is your lean, light, everyday protein, great for weight management and gentle on the system. Oily fish is your omega-3 provider, supporting skin, coat and joints. Plenty of well-formulated recipes make the most of both, pairing white fish as the main protein with a little salmon oil for those omega-3 benefits. Neither is "better" than the other, they just bring different things to the table. How we use white fish at Barking Heads Since white fish is such a gentle, protein-rich option, it's the heart of our Tummy Lovin' Care recipe. It's made with at least 50% freshly prepared white fish, balanced with wholesome veg, and we add salmon oil for a natural source of those omega-3s white fish is short on. It's grain-free, there's no nasties and no fillers, and it's designed to be kind to sensitive tummies. Like all our All Hounder recipes, it's a complete and balanced everyday meal made with human-grade ingredients from farmers we know and trust, and developed with veterinary input. If you're not sure which protein suits your dog best, our pet food quiz can help you find their match, and you can always see exactly what goes into the bowl. White fish won't transform your dog overnight, but as part of a balanced diet it's a lean, tasty and gentle protein that a lot of dogs thrive on. Cook it properly, mind the bones, and let a complete recipe do the heavy lifting. FAQs Can dogs eat white fish? Yes. White fish such as cod, haddock and pollock is a safe, lean and protein-rich choice for most dogs, as long as it's cooked, boneless and unseasoned. A complete fish-based dog food takes care of all of that for you. Can dogs eat cod and haddock? They can. Cod and haddock are both lean white fish that provide quality protein, B vitamins and minerals like selenium. Serve them plain and cooked, with all bones removed, and never battered or fried. Can dogs eat raw fish? It's best avoided. Raw fish contains thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys vitamin B1, and a raw-fish-heavy diet can cause a thiamine deficiency over time (Kritikos et al., 2017). Cooking deactivates the enzyme, so cooked or complete-recipe fish is the safer route. Is white fish good for dogs with sensitive stomachs? It often is. White fish is lean and light, which tends to suit more delicate tummies, and fish is a less common trigger of food reactions than proteins like beef or chicken (Mueller et al., 2016). If your dog has ongoing digestive issues, check in with your vet. Is white fish or salmon better for my dog? Neither is better, they simply do different things. White fish is a lean, gentle protein, while salmon and other oily fish are richer in the omega-3 that supports skin, coat and joints. Many good recipes use both. Can white fish improve my dog's coat? Only modestly on its own, because white fish is low in the omega-3 that benefits skin and coat. For a real coat boost, oily fish like salmon or added fish oil does far more (Martinez, 2020).

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