Why Are My Dog’s Eyes Red?

Unlike us humans, when dogs’ eyes turn red it’s usually not because of the devil’s lettuce. So what gives? Worry not, we’ve got the scoop on exactly why.

Health & Science

Have you ever looked at your dog, expecting to see their sweet loving gaze, but instead you got tired, blood-shot eyes? Well, that’s not because your dog’s been enjoying a puff with his pup-buddies (even if that stuff does happen to be legal in your neck of the woods). No, all joking aside, it might actually be a sign of a health issue.

Dogs’ eyes are extremely sensitive. They can be susceptible to allergies, irritation, or injury. Here are some of the reasons your pup’s eyes get red from time to time.

How are dog’s eyes different from humans?

As a matter of fact, your dog’s eyes are very similar to your own. They’re an active, exposed organ used for vision, focusing on and locating objects in the environment. A major difference is that dogs have a third eyelid. The ‘nictitating membrane’, as it’s called, is located on the inner corner of the eye and functions to protect the eye and distribute tears.

You probably know that dogs are mainly guided by their nose, sometimes to the point of following it a little too closely without paying attention.. This means they may shove their head into places not particularly eye-friendly, such as dusty corners, thorny bushes, or even other dogs’ mouths, and cause injury or irritation to their eyes as a result.

Dog breeds with scrunched faces, like Pugs and French Bulldogs, have more eye troubles than other breeds.

Dogs also have superpowers. Okay, that’s an exaggeration. But while they’re not necessarily Wolverine or Superman, they do have a leg up over us humans in certain respects.

It’s been widely known that dogs see colors differently than humans, for example. They might not see all the colors of the rainbow, but they can out-track a human at any given moment with their powerful senses of sight and scent. They also have a reflective layer in their retina that allows them to see better than humans in the dark.

Some breeds suffer from eye issues more than others

Like human eyes, external factors can have devastating results on your dog’s eyesight, and some breeds have it worse than others:

Shih-Tzus, Pekingese, Bulldogs, and Pugs often have eye issues because of their wrinkled faces
Breeds with flowing locks on their face also have eye problems: Poodles, Sheepdogs, and Maltese dogs
Older dogs are more prone to eyesight issues because of their age: problems with high blood pressure and glaucoma, for example, can cause redness in the eyes.

To sum it up, breeds with furry and wrinkly faces have more eye troubles compared to other breeds.

So why are my dog’s eyes red?

If you notice your dog walking around with bloodshot eyes, it’s definitely time for a visit to the vet.

The swollen eyes and redness can be caused by various reasons, ranging from mild allergies to serious disease.

The following are possible causes of redness in your puppy’s eyes:

Eye injury or trauma from a foreign object
Allergies to food or environmental allergens
Conjunctivitis: commonly found in humans as well, also known as pink eye. It’s an itchy inflammation, so watch out if your dog tries to rub their eyes with their paws.
Glaucoma: a more serious issue that could lead to blindness if not managed promptly. It can be recognized by redness and swelling of the eyeball, sometimes with a cloudy cornea.
Corneal ulcers: an erosion of the surface of the eye, commonly caused by trauma or excessive scratching.
Uveitis: painful inflammation of the eyeball
Dry eye syndrome: a lack of tear production leading to severe consequences.

Dogs have a third eyelid called the ‘nictitating membrane’, which is located on the inner corner of the eye and functions to protect it and keep it lubricated by distributing tears.

How to keep your dog’s eyes clean

You can’t stop a dog from doing doggy things, but you can take some preventive measures to keep your pup’s eyeballs as safe as possible. Here are some tips and tricks on how to keep your dog’s eyes neat and clean:

If you have a longhaired breed, always keep those bushy bangs out of your dog’s eyes. Tie them up in a stylish ponytail and perfect it with a bow, or have the groomer trim them.
Regularly clean the inner corners and wrinkles around your dog’s eyes and face. Use a cotton ball or a wet wipe and wipe from the inner corner outwards. Exercise caution to avoid touching your pup’s eyes.
Watch for your dog to repeatedly scratch or rub their eyes. This is an alarming sign that signifies the need for a visit to the vet.
Don’t let your dog hang their head outside the window during car rides on the highway. Even though it looks fun and adventurous, the high wind speeds can hurt their eyes.
Regular veterinary check ups can help catch health issues early, leading to better outcomes.

Your dog’s eyes turning tomato red isn’t just a cosmetic thing- it could be a sign of a serious problem. Just in case it is- but also for all of life’s other expected unexpected calamities- you really want your dog to have Animalia’s dog insurance. Our coverage is a real sight for sore eyes.

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