Why Is My Dog Squinting Both Eyes? Understanding and Treating Eye Problems in Dogs

If you’ve noticed your dog squinting both eyes, it could be a sign of discomfort or a health issue related to their eyes. Dogs, like humans, can suffer from various eye conditions that can cause pain, inflammation, or even permanent damage to their vision if not treated properly. Understanding why your dog is squinting and how to identify the underlying cause is essential to providing the right care. In this blog, we’ll explore the common reasons for dog eye problems, what squinting may indicate, and how to treat these issues to ensure your pet’s eyes remain healthy.

What Does It Mean When a Dog Is Squinting?

When a dog squints both eyes, it’s often a sign that something is wrong. Just like humans, squinting can be a natural reaction to bright lights or irritation, but in dogs, persistent squinting usually indicates an underlying issue with their eyes. The condition can range from minor irritations to serious problems requiring medical intervention.

Dog squinting typically occurs when the dog tries to protect its eyes from discomfort, pain, or light sensitivity. Squinting is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as red eyes, watery eyes, or yellow discharge, which can help pinpoint the cause.

If your dog is squinting, it’s important to monitor for other signs, such as changes in tear production, redness, swollen eyelids, or eye inflammation. These can provide vital clues to the underlying condition.

Common Causes of Dog Squinting Both Eyes

There are several reasons why your dog might be squinting, and the cause could range from a mild issue to a serious health condition. Let’s break down the most common reasons:

1. Corneal Ulcers (Eye Ulcers)

Corneal ulcers are dogs’ most common causes of eye pain and squinting. They occur when the surface of the dog’s cornea becomes damaged, often due to trauma or infection. Ulcers can be caused by various factors, including foreign objects, scratches, or even a lack of tear production, which leads to dryness. Dogs suffering from corneal ulcers may also show cloudy eyes, redness, and excessive tearing.

Corneal ulcers can be extremely painful, and if left untreated, they can lead to serious damage to the eye and vision loss. Immediate veterinary care is essential to treat the ulcer and prevent further complications.

2. Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca)

Dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is a condition in which a dog’s eyes don’t produce enough tears, leading to dryness and irritation. This causes the eyes to become inflamed, resulting in discomfort and squinting. Dry eye is often caused by problems with the tear glands, which may fail to produce sufficient moisture for the dog’s eye.

Dry eye symptoms in dogs include excessive tearing, eye squinting, red eyes, and eye discharge. If left untreated, dry eye can cause damage to the cornea and lead to vision problems. Systemic medications or tear production supplements may be necessary to treat the condition.

3. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a serious eye condition characterized by increased pressure inside the eye, which can lead to blindness if not treated. In dogs, Glaucoma can cause significant pain, squinting, redness, and sometimes cloudy eyes. If a dog suffers from glaucoma, the increased pressure within the eye can damage the dog’s cornea and the optic nerve, leading to vision loss.

Glaucoma requires urgent attention from a veterinarian. Treatment typically involves medication to lower the eye pressure, but surgical intervention may be needed in severe cases to relieve the pressure and save the eye.

4. Cherry Eye

Cherry eye is a condition in which the third eyelid prolapses, causing the gland in the third eyelid to become visible. This condition is more common in certain dog breeds, such as brachycephalic breeds (e.g., Bulldogs and Pugs), and it can cause redness and irritation in the eye. While cherry eye does not usually cause severe pain, it can lead to squinting and discomfort if the third eyelid becomes inflamed or irritated.

Treatment for cherry eye often involves surgical removal of the gland or repositioning it to prevent future problems. If left untreated, cherry eye can cause chronic irritation and further eye problems.

5. Eye Trauma

Any form of eye trauma, such as being scratched by a foreign object, getting a grass seed in the eye, or trauma from playing or fighting, can lead to squinting. Dogs may also squint if something is lodged in their eye, such as dust or dirt. Eye trauma often causes pain, and your dog may try to protect its eye by squinting and keeping it closed.

If your dog has experienced an eye injury, it’s important to take it to the vet immediately to prevent further damage. Depending on the severity of the trauma, your vet may prescribe medication or suggest surgical treatment.

6. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is an eye condition in which the mucous membranes of the eye become inflamed. Bacteria, viruses, or allergies can cause this condition. Conjunctivitis often results in eye inflammation, red eyes, and watery eyes, and dogs may squint due to the irritation and discomfort.

Treatment for conjunctivitis typically involves antibiotic eye drops or antihistamines if the condition is related to allergies. If the infection is viral, it may resolve independently, but veterinary care is necessary for proper diagnosis and management.

7. Allergies

Just like humans, dogs can suffer from allergies that affect their eyes. Environmental allergens, such as pollen, dust, and mold, can irritate the dog’s eye, leading to eye squinting, redness, and watery eyes. Dogs may also experience itchy eyes, which may prompt them to squint or rub their eyes.

Managing allergies in dogs often involves controlling exposure to allergens and possibly using antihistamines prescribed by a vet. Regular eye cleaning and artificial tears may help relieve the symptoms.

8. Infection or Inflammation

Infections or eye inflammation caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses can also lead to squinting. If the infection is severe, pus or yellow discharge can accumulate in the eye, further irritating it and causing pain. Depending on the cause, infections require appropriate treatment, such as antibiotic therapy or antifungal medication.

9. Increased Pressure or Blood Clot

Sometimes, increased pressure in the eye or a blood clot can lead to eye pain and squinting. This is often caused by underlying conditions such as glaucoma or other eye diseases that affect the dog’s vision. These conditions may require immediate medical intervention to prevent further damage to the cornea and preserve the dog’s eyesight.

When to Seek Care for a Squinting Dog

If your dog squints both eyes, evaluating the situation carefully is important. Eye problems in dogs can worsen quickly if left untreated. The following are signs that you should take your dog to the vet immediately:

Persistent squinting or eye pain that doesn’t resolve after a few hours
Excessive tearing or yellow discharge
Red eyes or noticeable swelling around the eyelids
Cloudy eyes or changes in the dog’s vision
Bleeding from the eye or around the eyelids
Trauma to the eye or significant injury

If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, it’s critical to seek care from a veterinarian as soon as possible to prevent further complications or damage to the eye. Your vet will conduct an eye examination and, in some cases, may recommend tests or dental x-rays to identify the underlying cause.

Treatment Options for Squinting Dogs

Treatment for your dog’s squinting depends on the underlying cause of the problem. Common treatments include:

Antibiotic eye drops for bacterial infections
Surgical intervention for cherry eye, corneal ulcers, or trauma
Artificial tears for dry eye
Anti-inflammatory medications for eye inflammation
Pain relief and systemic medications to manage discomfort

In some cases, surgical removal may be required for serious conditions like corneal ulcers or glaucoma. Your vet will determine the most appropriate treatment based on the diagnosis.

Conclusion

Squinting in dogs is often a sign of discomfort or eye pain, and it can be caused by a range of issues, including corneal ulcers, dry eye, glaucoma, or infection. While some conditions are minor and can be treated easily, others may cause serious damage to your dog’s vision and require surgical intervention. Observing your dog’s symptoms closely and seeking veterinary care as soon as possible if you notice persistent squinting or other concerning signs are essential. With prompt attention and proper treatment, most eye problems in dogs can be managed effectively, allowing your furry friend to maintain their health and vision.