What should I do if my dog has a foreign body in its eye?
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Overview
If your dog has something in its eye, the safest first step is to stop them rubbing it and look for obvious debris, redness or discharge. A small speck of dust, grass seed or grit can often cause a lot of irritation, but similar signs can also happen with scratches or other eye problems, so it’s best to be cautious.
Things To Check
1. See whether your dog is blinking a lot, keeping the eye partly closed, or pawing at the face.
2. Look for redness, swelling, watery eyes, discharge, or any cloudiness on the surface of the eye.
3. Check whether the problem started after walks, grass, grooming, play, or windy weather.
4. Gently notice if one eye is affected or if both eyes seem uncomfortable.
5. Look for any visible speck, seed, hair, or dirt on the eyelids, lashes, or around the eye.
6. Check whether your dog is otherwise bright and normal, or whether they seem subdued, painful, or reluctant to open the eye.
7. Notice if the eye looks worse after your dog rubs it, shakes their head, or goes back outside.
Common Causes
The most common cause is a small irritant such as dust, grass, sand, or a hair or seed caught near the eye.
Sometimes the problem is not a foreign body at all, but a scratch on the eye surface, a trapped eyelash, mild conjunctival irritation, or a bit of debris under the eyelid.
Less commonly, signs that look like a foreign body can be linked to a more serious eye injury, a deeper scratch, or another eye condition that needs veterinary attention.
What To Do
Keep your dog calm and stop them rubbing the eye. If they’ll tolerate it, you can gently inspect the area with good light, but don’t force the eye open.
If you can see loose dirt on the fur or around the eyelids, you can carefully wipe it away with clean damp cotton wool or gauze, using a fresh piece for each wipe.
Do not try to pick anything out if it looks stuck, sharp, or embedded. Avoid using eye drops unless they’ve been prescribed or specifically recommended for your dog.
Keep your dog indoors or away from dusty, windy, or grassy areas until the eye looks settled. If the irritation seems mild and clears quickly, keep an eye on it for the rest of the day.
When To Contact A Vet
Contact your vet promptly if the eye stays closed, looks very red or swollen, has cloudiness, has discharge, or your dog is in obvious pain. You should also get advice if you can see something embedded in the eye, if the problem is not improving quickly, or if your dog keeps rubbing at it.
Eye problems can worsen if they’re left too long, so it’s better to have a vet check it sooner rather than later when you’re unsure.
Products That May Help
Keeping your dog’s coat, face and surrounding skin clean can be useful as part of everyday grooming, especially if they’re prone to picking up dust, grass or debris on walks.
Related Questions
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What should I avoid doing if my dog’s eye looks irritated?
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.