Eye care for animals

Eye care for animals focuses on keeping the eyes of pets such as dogs, cats, horses and other animals clean and well cared for. Just as with humans, animals can suffer from tear stains, scabs, dust, pollen or other irritants that build up around the eyes.

The anatomy of animals’ eyes differs from that of humans. Animals often have a third eyelid, a different tear film system and different sensitivities. For this reason, products designed for human eye care are not always suitable for animals, and specialised veterinary eye care products are available.

Eye care for animals involves regularly cleaning the eye area with suitable solutions or wipes, removing discharge and being alert to changes such as redness, swelling, cloudiness or reduced eye contact. If in doubt or if symptoms persist, it is important to consult a vet.

When is eye care for animals relevant?

Regular eye care can be beneficial for animals prone to tear staining, breeds with protruding eyes or many skin folds around the eyes, and animals that spend a lot of time outdoors and are therefore exposed to dust, pollen or other irritants. Older animals may also benefit from extra attention to their eyes.

What can you do yourself?

You can gently clean your pet’s eyes with a clean, damp cloth or a special eye wash for animals. Always work from the inner corner to the outer corner and use a clean section of the cloth for each eye. Do not use products intended for humans, unless your vet specifically advises you to do so.

When should you visit the vet?

See your vet if you notice that your pet is squinting, has excessive tearing, redness or swelling, has a cloudy eye, or if there is pus or other discharge visible. These may be signs of an infection, inflammation, injury or other condition requiring veterinary care.

Differences compared to human eye care

Products intended for human eye care, such as eye drops or lens solutions, are not suitable for animals. The pH level, composition and preservatives may differ and could be harmful to animals’ eyes. You should therefore only use products that are approved for veterinary use.