How Allergies Spell Trouble for Your Pet’s Eyes

Cats and dogs use their eyes to express emotions and navigate their surroundings, spotting dangers and tracking prey. When they start rubbing their eyes, squinting, blinking too much, or having watery discharge, there might be a problem with those peepers. Allergies are commonly to blame. With the right knowledge and tools, you can make a difference. Your pet will be back to their eagle-eyed adventures in no time. We'll explain how allergies affect pets' eyes and how you can treat and prevent them.

Injuries, Diseases, and Allergies, Oh My!

Trauma on or around the eye can lead to red, swollen tissues. Diseases of the eye itself, the surrounding tissues, and diseases that start somewhere else in the body can cause eye problems. Allergens, including flea saliva, chemicals, food, and inhaled substances like dust and pollen, commonly irritate our pets’ eyes. All cat and dog breeds are susceptible to developing allergies. Terriers, Dalmatians, and retrievers are prone to atopic dermatitis, a skin condition that allows allergens to enter the body directly through the skin.1 Food allergens cause itchy skin in cats more often than things they breathe in.1 Allergies can cause reactions throughout the body, including the eyes, or may affect the eyes alone.

Knowing the Symptoms of Eye Allergies

Allergies cause swelling and inflammation of the tissues on and around the eyes, including the eyelids. This is called blepharitis. Swelling of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the surface of the eye and the eyelids, is known as conjunctivitis. The conjunctiva includes the third eyelid, a structure found in dogs and cats in the lower part of the eye that humans don’t have. Symptoms may affect one or both eyes and include:

• Eye discharge
• Increased blinking and squinting
• Redness
• Swelling

Allergic eye issues may be accompanied by other symptoms ranging from skin lesions to vomiting, lethargy, and others.

Allergy or Infection: How to Tell the Difference

Bacterial or viral eye infections typically cause thick, discolored eye discharge, whereas allergies usually result in clear discharge. Bacterial infections of the eye typically don’t cause other problems, but diseases and allergies that affect the entire body can. If your pet is experiencing eye problems and other health issues, such as discharge from the nose, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or skin lesions, contact your veterinarian.

Providing Relief

Consult your veterinarian about any pet eye issues. In the meantime, remove potential allergens, such as scented oils, detergents, plants, and pollen. Use an air purifier. Keep your home and pet living areas clean and free of debris and dust. Consult with your veterinarian about potentially switching your cat’s food. Use a safe and effective eyewash regularly to flush away allergens, provide relief, protect the eye, and prevent infections. Veterinarians trust Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Eye Wash for cats, dogs, and other species. It is non-toxic, stops pain and itch, and won’t cause problems if accidentally swallowed. It also doesn’t stain furniture, flooring, or fabric. It’s gentle enough to use multiple times a day. You can use it before your veterinary appointment to start the healing process and after for preventative care.

How to clean your pet’s eyes:

• Gently hold your pet’s eyelids partly open.
• Hold Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Eye wash a few inches from the eye. Do not touch the tip of the bottle to the eye. Never touch the surface of the eye directly.
• Gently pour a small amount of the wash over the eye.
• Release the eyelids and gently dry your pet’s face.
• Give treats and snuggles (usually a slam dunk for dogs, but hit or miss for some cats!)

Do not use medications intended for human use on animals. Do not reuse old medication. Eye medications contain different ingredients for addressing specific problems, and using the wrong medication can lead to damage.

Preventing Eye Problems

Prevent problems by following your veterinarian’s recommendations and providing overall excellent healthcare. Keep living areas clean, provide regular veterinary care, and minimize exposure to allergens. Use a non-toxic and effective eye wash, such as Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Eye Wash, as a daily preventative measure.

When to Visit the Veterinarian

If eye problems persist or worsen, or if other issues develop, consult your veterinarian for advice. Some allergic problems may need specific tests and medications.

Putting Eye Problems to Rest

Eye issues caused by allergies can be uncomfortable, but early identification and care can provide relief. If you notice eye redness, itching, discharge, or other symptoms, call your veterinarian and use Vetericyn’s safe and effective products to promote healing. Visit Vetericyn.com to learn more about our pet care products.

Reviewed by Dr. Kathy Adamson

Dr. Kathy Adamson earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a one-year small animal medicine and surgery internship at the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine. Alongside her studies, Kathy worked in a research lab, contributing as an author and co-author to various journal articles. She has also pursued medical writing and editing certification through the University of Chicago Graham School. Currently, she runs KMA Veterinary & Medical Writing, a freelance medical writing company, serves as the Digital Content Manager for the Greater Chicago Area Chapter of the American Medical Writers Association, is a member of the AMWA Communications Committee, and enjoys writing about healthcare topics for people and their cherished pets. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathyadamsondvm/

Sources:

1. Tizard IR. Hypersensitivity Diseases in Animals. VIN.com. Published online September 17, 2021. https://www.vin.com/members/cms/project/defaultadv1.aspx?pid=27848&id=11435620