What to do if the skin around your dog’s eyes is red

Disclaimer: This article, its content, and its related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.

Red, inflamed skin around a dog’s eyes is a common symptom with many potential causes that range in severity. It’s important for dog owners to seek veterinary care for an accurate diagnosis when their dogs develop eye symptoms. If your dog has red, inflamed, or swollen eyelids, read on to learn:

• What causes the area around a dog’s eyes to be red
• Other symptoms to watch for
• How vets diagnose and treat eyelid inflammation

Allergies, bacterial infections, parasites, systemic disease, and various eye conditions can all cause inflamed skin around the eyes in dogs. These conditions require different treatment methods, such as allergy or parasite medication. It’s important for dog owners to talk to a vet before attempting at-home treatment.

There are many reasons why a dog’s eyelids or the skin around a dog’s eyes becomes red, swollen, or inflamed. Common reasons include skin and eye irritation, allergies, parasites, some systemic diseases, and eyelid conditions.

Allergies and environmental irritants

Environmental allergens and irritants can result in inflamed, pink tissue around the eyes. The most common allergens in dogs include:

• Flea saliva
• Grasses
• Dust mites
• Pollen
• Specific protein sources in food

Dogs may have year-round or seasonal allergies that cause redness and inflammation around the eyes as well as other clinical signs, such as itchy skin and hair loss. Other irritants in the environment can aggravate the outside of a dog’s eyes, even if the dog isn’t allergic to them. Examples include:

• Bright UV rays
• Smoke
• Plant oils
• Insect bites and stings

“Some dogs react to insect bites and stings by developing red, puffy skin around the eyes, especially if they were bitten or stung on the lips or in the mouth,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on Vetster. “This can be severe enough to cause the eyes to swell shut. Often, the lips and muzzle are also swollen.”

External parasites

Parasitic infestations can lead to inflamed eyelids and skin around the eyes, itchy skin, and rash. External parasites that can affect the area around a dog’s eyes include:

• Scabies (sarcoptic mange)
• Demodicosis (demodectic mange)
• Bites from fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes

Symptoms from external parasites can vary depending on the type of parasite. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes can bite the area around a dog’s eyes, leading to localized irritation. Cases of mange often have obvious hair loss and itchy skin as additional symptoms.

Systemic disease

Some medical conditions that affect the entire body may cause red eyelids or skin around the eyes. These include:

• Zinc-responsive dermatitis
• Hypothyroidism
• Cushing’s disease

A group of autoimmune diseases called pemphigus can also cause inflammation around the eyes, including:

• Pemphigus foliaceus
• Pemphigus erythematosus
• Pemphigus vulgaris
• Pemphigus vegetans
• Cutaneous lupus erythematosus

In most cases, systemic medical conditions will have additional signs of illness, such as lethargy, weight changes, or excessive thirst.

Eyelid conditions and injuries

Various eye conditions, infections, and injuries can affect the skin around the eyes, such as:

• Eyelid tumors, growths, and styes
• Eyelid and eyelash abnormalities
• Bacterial or fungal infections of the eye or eyelid

Ectropion is a common condition in which the lower eyelids droop, resulting in redness under the eyes. The condition is common in some breeds, such as basset hounds, bloodhounds, Great Danes, and several spaniel breeds. Droopy lower eyelids may also occur as a result of facial paralysis or neurologic problems.

Depending on the underlying cause of eyelid inflammation, a dog may also have additional clinical signs, such as:

• Itchy skin
• Hair loss
• Inflamed skin or rash elsewhere on the body
• Red or bloodshot eyes
• Eye discharge
• Crusty sores or blisters around the nose or mouth
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Lethargy

Noting any additional symptoms can help a vet diagnose the underlying condition.

Is skin inflammation around the eyes an emergency in dogs?

Reddened skin around the eyes is usually not an emergency unless it’s accompanied by other symptoms, such as:

• Swelling of the face
• Severe lethargy
• Loss of consciousness
• Difficulty breathing

When a dog’s eyes swell shut, along with a swollen muzzle and lips, in response to an insect bite or sting, the prognosis is often excellent. Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction, is very rare following an insect bite or sting. Signs of anaphylaxis include:

• Difficult or labored breathing
• Vomiting
• Collapse

If your dog’s face swells, it’s always important to seek veterinary care right away to receive proper treatment and ensure a medical emergency isn’t being overlooked.

Diagnostic testing is often needed to determine the underlying cause of inflammation or redness around a dog’s eyes. Diagnostic tests may include:

• Thorough physical exam
• Eye examination
• Skin scrapes to check for parasites and skin infections
• Bacterial or fungal cultures
• Blood tests
• Biopsy
• Diagnostic imaging
• Allergy testing

If fleas are suspected, a therapeutic trial of flea treatment may be recommended, even if there’s no evidence of fleas. Flea allergy dermatitis is a very common health condition in dogs and a common cause of skin inflammation and itchy skin. An accurate diagnosis is necessary to develop an effective treatment plan due to the wide variety of conditions that can cause skin and eyelid redness and inflammation.

Options for medical treatment depend on the underlying health issue affecting a dog’s skin or eyelids. Treatment may involve:

• Antiparasitics
• Allergy treatment
• Eye drops or ointments
• Environmental or diet changes
• Additional treatment for systemic diseases

Prognosis also varies between conditions. Some health issues, such as allergies or Cushing’s disease, require lifelong medical care.

Can I treat my dog’s eye inflammation at home?

It’s highly recommended that you talk to a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. There are many different conditions that can cause redness around your dog’s eyes. It’s important to know what the problem is in order to properly treat it. Misdiagnosis is likely without a vet’s help and diagnostic testing. Improper or ineffective treatment will delay proper treatment and can make things worse. This includes giving artificial tears, oral antibiotics, pain medication, and topical medications on the skin or in the eyes without a vet’s approval.

It’s rare for a dog with redness around the eyes to require hospitalization or surgery. Most cases are treated on an outpatient basis with medication, parasite prevention, or supportive care given at home.

Talk to a veterinarian any time you notice changes in your dog’s eye health. Eye infections, allergies, parasites, and other issues affecting the eyes are common. Symptoms of these conditions can be uncomfortable or painful. In addition, some health issues that affect the skin around a dog’s eyes can lead to loss of vision or eye damage, and even become life-threatening. Let a vet know about any other symptoms your dog may have, even if those symptoms seem minor.

If you’re concerned about your dog’s eye health or you need help determining if your dog needs urgent care, a veterinary professional can help through an online virtual care appointment. Professionals are also available to offer guidance if you’re having difficulty administering your dog’s prescribed eye medication.

Why are my dog’s eyelids red?

There are many conditions that can cause a dog’s eyelids to become red or swollen. Insect bites, parasites, eye conditions, allergies, and systemic diseases (such as pemphigus or Cushing’s) are potential causes of red, inflamed eyelids or skin around the eyes in dogs.

How do I treat redness around my dog’s eyes?

It’s important to talk to a veterinarian if the skin around your dog’s eyes is red or inflamed. There are many health issues that can cause red, inflamed, or swollen skin around the eyes, so diagnostic testing is necessary to determine the underlying cause. An accurate diagnosis is necessary for determining what kind of treatment will work.

Why is the area around my dog’s eye red?

There are many health conditions that can cause the skin around a dog’s eyes to become red. Potential causes include allergies, insect bites, external parasites, various eye conditions, and systemic diseases, such as pemphigus or Cushing’s. Treatment options for these issues vary, so it’s important to get a proper diagnosis from a vet before attempting treatment.