Allergy Eye Drops for Dogs: How to Treat Itchy, Watery Eyes
Key takeaways:
Allergies can cause your dog’s eyes to become itchy and watery. Your dog could injure their eyes if they scratch at them.
Allergy eye drops for dogs contain antihistamines and other anti-inflammatory medications that can quickly relieve your dog’s symptoms.
Human eye drops are not safe for dogs, so it’s essential to work with a veterinarian to get the right treatment for your pup.
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As anyone with allergies can tell you, pollen and other allergens often make your eyes itchy and watery. Some dogs also have allergies and can have the same symptoms.
If your dog paws at their itchy eyes, you may be tempted to treat them with over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops made for people. But that may not be a good idea. Not all OTC eye drops are safe for dogs, and there are usually better options for our pets. Work with a veterinarian to find the best remedy.
When should you get allergy eye drops for your dog?
Look into getting allergy eye drops for your dog when they show symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Symptoms include eyes that are:
Itchy
Tearing
Red
Swollen
Watery
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These symptoms occur when the membrane covering the eyeball, known as the conjunctiva, becomes inflamed. If you notice these signs, book an appointment with a vet to discuss allergy eye drops.
Dogs searching for relief often scratch at their eyes or rub their faces on furniture — behavior that can cause ulcers or scratches to form on their corneas. Eye drops can prevent these injuries by relieving the itch.
What are the best allergy eye drops for dogs?
The best eye drops for your dog depends on what will work best to treat their allergy symptoms. A veterinarian can help you decide. In general, there are a few types of eye drops a vet might suggest.
Antihistamine eye drops for dogs
Eye allergies can be treated with drops containing antihistamines, which help minimize inflammation. Choices include:
Antazoline
Pheniramine
Cetirizine
Antihistamine and stabilizer eye drops for dogs
Some eye drops work as both antihistamines and stabilizers of mast cells. Mast cells are immune cells that can make allergic responses worse for dogs.
Seasonal allergies: Is your pup licking their paws and sneezing more than usual? They could be reacting to tree, grass, or weed pollens.
Itchy ears: It’s important to check your dog’s ears regularly, especially if they’re pawing and scratching. Read on to see if ear mites could be the culprit.
Cost of healthy teeth: Doggie dental cleanings can cost up to $2,000. Learn how to save money by shopping around and checking out vet schools.
Veterinarians often choose these drops as the first-choice treatment for dogs because they can be more effective than antihistamines alone.
Some options include:
Olopatadine
Ketotifen
Epinastine
Alcaftadine
Azelastine
Bepotastine
Anti-inflammatory or steroid eye drops for dogs
For severe allergy flare-ups, a veterinarian might also prescribe anti-inflammatory drops or ointments that contain steroids, including:
Hydrocortisone
How do you administer dog eye drops?
The keys to giving eye drops to dogs are keeping them calm and preventing them from wiggling. Here are some helpful step-by-step tips.
If you have a small or medium-size dog, place them on an elevated surface like a table to help keep them still.
Start by using warm water and a washcloth to clean debris from your dog’s eyes before using the drops. This may also help soothe your pup’s nerves.
Hold the eye drop tube in one hand. Place that same hand on your dog’s skull, just above the eyes. Use your other hand to hold your dog’s head close to your body.
Use the hand with the tube to lift your dog’s upper eyelid. Use the other hand to pull down the lower eyelid, creating a pouch for the drop.
Place a drop into this pouch. Be careful not to touch the tip of the dropper to the dog’s eye or skin, which can contaminate the medication.
Let your dog go, and let them blink. That will help spread the medication across their eye.
Don’t forget to praise your dog and reward them with their favorite treat or toy. This will create a positive association with the eye drops and make it easier for you to administer the medication next time.
How long does it take eye drops to work for dogs?
Most eye drops will relieve your dog’s symptoms in 2 hours or less. If you don’t see rapid results, consult a vet for next steps.
Can dogs use human eye drops for allergies?
Do not give human eye drops to your dog because they are unlikely to help. Plus, many human OTC eye drops, such as Visine, contain tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride. This chemical narrows the blood vessels of the eye, which can harm your dog.
A vet will do a complete examination of your dog to determine the cause of their symptoms. This will allow your vet to recommend the best eye allergy remedy. They will customize a treatment that’s safe and most likely to provide relief for your dog.
Frequently asked questions
It’s best not to treat your dog’s eye allergies at home. Talk to a veterinarian to get a diagnosis and understand the cause of your dog’s allergies. A vet can also give you recommendations on how to manage your dog’s symptoms.
Depending on the cause of a dog’s allergies, you may be able to do this at home by reducing your pup’s exposure to allergens. But many dogs require treatment with eye drops or other medications to manage their eye allergies.
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine that may help reduce itching for some types of allergies in dogs. But it may not be the best choice for eye allergies specifically. Talk to a veterinarian about which eye allergy medication will be best for your dog.
The best way to tell the difference between an eye infection and eye allergies in dogs is to get a diagnosis from a veterinarian. Both conditions can have similar symptoms.
The bottom line
Allergy season is just as tough on dogs as it is on their owners. Eye irritation is one of the most common symptoms in pups. Human eye drops are not safe for your pet. But there are versions made for dogs that can relieve their symptoms. A veterinarian will help determine the cause of your pup’s allergies and prescribe an eye drop that — with a little practice — you can easily give at home.
Why trust our experts?
References
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. (n.d.). Administering eye medications to your pet.
Dogs Trust. (n.d.). How to give your dog ear or eye drops.
Johnson, T. (2021). Allergic conjunctivitis in dogs and cats. Veterinary Partner.
Lilly, M. L. (2020). Applying eye drops with low stress handling. Veterinary Information Network.
Pet Poison Helpline. (n.d.). Can you give dogs Visine eye drops?
Whelan, N. (2024). Topical antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers in animals. Merck Veterinary Manual.
