What should I do if I can see a scratch on my dog’s eye?
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Overview
If you can see a scratch on your dog’s eye, treat it as something that should be checked promptly. Eye scratches can be caused by dust, rough play, a nail, a twig or another small injury, and they can be more painful than they look.
You can do a few quick checks at home, but you can’t reliably tell how deep the scratch is just by looking. If your dog is squinting, pawing at the eye or keeping it closed, that’s a sign they may need veterinary advice sooner rather than later.
Things To Check
1. See whether your dog is squinting, blinking a lot, keeping the eye shut or rubbing at it.
2. Look for redness, swelling, cloudiness, discharge, tearing or a visible mark on the surface of the eye.
3. Check whether the white of the eye looks more red than usual or whether the eyelid seems puffy.
4. Think about what happened just before you noticed it, such as play, a walk, grooming, brushing through long hair or contact with branches.
5. Notice whether one eye is affected or whether both eyes seem irritated, as that can point to different causes.
6. Watch for any change in your dog’s vision, such as bumping into things, reluctance to move around or seeming unsure in dim light.
7. Check for any obvious foreign material near the eye, but don’t try to pick anything off the surface of the eye itself.
Common Causes
The most common cause is a minor scratch from something like a claw, plant material, dust or debris.
Sometimes the issue is irritation rather than a true scratch, especially if your dog has been in wind, grass or a dusty environment.
Less commonly, a scratch can be linked with a trapped foreign body, an eyelid problem, or a deeper eye injury that needs a vet to assess properly.
What To Do
Keep your dog calm and stop them rubbing the eye if you can. A cone or similar collar may help if they’re making it worse.
Gently wipe away any discharge from around the eye with clean, damp cotton wool or gauze, using a fresh piece each time.
Keep them away from dusty, windy or rough play areas for now, and avoid using any human eye drops unless your vet has told you to.
If the scratch looks small and your dog is comfortable, keep a close eye on it for any change. If symptoms are obvious, getting worse, or the eye stays shut, contact your vet promptly.
When To Contact A Vet
Contact your vet the same day if your dog is squinting, in pain, rubbing the eye, or if the eye looks cloudy, very red, swollen or damaged. Eye injuries can worsen quickly, and your vet may want to check the surface of the eye properly.
If your dog suddenly seems unable to see well, won’t let you near the eye, or the eye looks very different from the other one, seek veterinary advice without delay.
Products That May Help
Keeping your dog’s coat, face and surrounding skin clean can be useful as part of a sensible home care routine when an eye has been irritated.
Related Questions
How can I tell if my dog’s eye injury is serious?
Should I flush my dog’s eye if I think something got in it?
Can a dog eye scratch heal on its own?
Atlas is here to support owners with practical, easy-to-understand guidance. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you're concerned about your animal's health, symptoms worsen, or something doesn't feel right, contact your vet.