What Eye Drops Can I Give My Dog? Most Common Dog-Safe Eye Drops & Eye Washes
There are many common causes of canine eye irritation or allergies or infections that may cause discomfort to your dog, similar to humans. If you want to know what is the quickest remedy for treating eye conditions for your dog, this is what you should do.
Before giving your dog any eye drops (over-the-counter) make sure you consult with the vet. Get a professional’s expert opinion about the best eye drops before you buy one yourself.
The reason being that there are many different types of eye drops that can be used for dogs. Different eye drops solve different eye-related conditions such as infections, allergies, or typical eye irritation.
Once you ask the vet about what eye drops can you give your dog, this is what you’ll learn…
What Eye Drops Can I Give My Dog?
Some eye drops you can get as over-the-counter medication while others are prescribed by the vets. The latter you won’t be able to purchase unless you have the proper prescription for it.
In any case, these are the common eye drops that are generally prescribed for dogs by professionals:
1. Saline Eyewash/Drops
Saline eyewashes are easy to buy everywhere – both in pharmacies and pet clinics. Humans too use saline eyewashes to get rid of debris and reduce eye inflammation or irritation from dust.
For dogs, it can be used to rinse debris, dust, crustiness, or any other unwanted particle that may have entered your dog’s eyes.
Dogs with mild to severe allergies are also prescribed saline eyewashes to reduce inflammation.
There is a specific method to use saline eyewashes for dogs. And it does not treat other symptoms such as redness, dryness, and more severe eye infections.
2. Antibiotic Eye Drops
Antibiotic eye drops can be used for treating mildly severe eye infections in dogs such as keratitis or conjunctivitis. Humans, too, are prescribed antibiotic eye drops for inflammatory eye conditions such as these.
The most common type of antibiotic eye drops for dogs is ‘Ciloxan’.
3. Antibacterial Eye Drops
Antibacterial medications for a dog’s eyes are available in different forms. You can purchase eye wipes, washes, and other such related topical products.
Unlike saline eyewashes, eye drops that are antibacterial require a doctor’s prescription to buy. They are stronger and that’s why they must not be used without consulting with the vet.
4. Steroid Eye Drops
Similar to antibacterial eye drops, steroid eye drops are not available without a prescription. Steroid eye drops are used for treating severe allergies, eye infections, and other inflammatory eye diseases.
The vet must inspect your dog’s eyes carefully before prescribing steroid eye drops. If your dog has a damaged cornea, for example, steroid eye drops should not be used. They cause more discomfort and eye irritation.
5. Common Lubricating Eye Drops
For dry eyes, you can buy lubricating eye drops without a prescription. This is used for hydrating the eyes especially if your dog has temporary eye dryness.
Lubricating eye drops come with hyaluronic acid which is specifically designed for dogs. It doesn’t contain any steroids or chemicals that may sting the eyes of your dog. It’s fairly natural and hydrating, good for reducing dryness in your dog’s eye.
Over-the-counter medication like ‘Viscotears’ is also commonly used for humans. And it can also be used to treat dry eyes in dogs. It’s good for boosting eye hydration, but it does not treat allergies, infections, or any such inflammation.
Why You Should Take Your Dog to the Vet?
Things can go from bad to worse if you don’t treat your dog’s eye problems the right way. And the only way to do that is by taking your dog to the vet to get the right prescription of medicines.
Your dog’s eye problem could be a sign of the following problems for which any over-the-counter eye drops may not suffice…
Traumatic Eye Injury
Does your dog have a backyard to play in? Minor eye trauma can become major in no time if you do not consult the vet immediately.
Your dog may have been poked in the eye by a stick while running. Or too much sand/debris may have entered his eye while he was rolling on the grass.
These are just two instances that can cause blunt trauma to the dog’s eye.
Redness / Bleeding
If you notice red spots or blood, especially in the white portion of your dog’s eye, visit the vet or the emergency animal hospital immediately.
Greyish or Blueish Tint
The cornea of a dog’s eye is a very sensitive film that can easily get injured due to internal inflammation or external factors such as blunt trauma, dust, debris, etc.
Notice signs of a grey or blue tint forming on the cornea which may also be a cataract or sclerosis. The vet will prescribe the right eye drops and other medications to treat this condition. No over-the-counter medication is suitable for treating this kind of severe inflammation.
Eye Infections
If there is discharge, redness, or puffiness around your dog’s eye, you can use over-the-counter eye drops such as lubricating eye drops or sterile eyewashes.
If the symptoms do not reduce, or in worst cases, they increase then take your dog to the vet immediately.
A good sign that your dog is suffering from eye discomfort is if your dog keeps pawing his eyes, making them redder or more inflamed.
You can make your dog wear a cone to prevent him from fidgeting with his eye. And make a call to your vet asking about the correct eye drop treatment to boost the recovery process.
Final Thoughts
If your dog has sensitive eyes, one way to protect their eyes is with some dog goggles or glasses. Your dog may take some time to get used to it. But this provides incredible protection against debris, dust, sticks, soil, insects, etc.
Dogs suffering from allergies and cataracts are often seen wearing dog goggles for UV protection as well. It’s a good way to take your dog out for a walk if they are prone to eye irritation.
