How to Treat Pink Eye in Dogs

Soak a washcloth in lukewarm water. Wring the washcloth out and gently wipe any discharge away from your dog’s eye.

Look for and remove any foreign objects in your dog’s eye

Flush your dog’s eye with lukewarm water or artificial tears for humans that have no preservatives. This is especially important if you were unable to see any foreign objects in your dog’s eye.

Put a compress on your dog’s eye. This can be a clean washcloth that has been soaked in lukewarm water and wrung out, then folded into a square. Hold the compress gently to your dog’s eye–don’t apply pressure. Be sure to use a different compress for each eye so you don’t spread the infection.

Repeat Steps 1, 3 and 4 as necessary until your dog’s pink eye goes away.

Tips & Warnings

• If your dog has long hair that flops in her face, groom it back from her eyes and clip it with a plastic barrette. Long hair can get in your dog’s eyes and cause pink eye.

• Don’t let your dog hang his head out of the car window when you are driving at high speeds. It is easy for your vehicle’s tires to pick up debris and toss it, allowing it to get in your dog’s eyes.

• Consider adding Eye Easy for dog conjunctivitis drops as part of your treatment for your dog’s pink eye. It is natural and can be purchased online.

• If your dog won’t stop scratching his eyes, get him an Elizabethan collar so that he can’t reach his eyes to scratch them.

• If your dog’s pink eye seems to be getting worse after a few days, contact your veterinarian. Your dog may need antibiotics to clear up his pink eye.