Why is my dog’s eye watering after an injury?
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Overview
If your dog’s eye is watering after an injury, it’s often the eye’s way of reacting to irritation, pain or something trapped on the surface. A small amount of tearing can happen with a minor knock, but ongoing watering, squinting or rubbing can also suggest a scratch or a foreign body, so it’s worth keeping a close eye on it.
There can be several reasons, and you usually can’t tell the exact cause just by looking. The main thing is to check for obvious changes, keep your dog from rubbing the eye and watch for signs that it’s getting worse.
Things To Check
1. See whether the eye is watering constantly or only after the injury, sleep, exercise or being outside.
2. Look for squinting, blinking more than usual, keeping the eye partly closed or avoiding light.
3. Check for redness, swelling around the eye, visible dirt, discharge, blood or a cloudy look to the eye itself.
4. Notice whether your dog is pawing at the eye, rubbing their face or seems bothered when you touch near it.
5. Compare both eyes. If one eye is much wetter, redder or more closed than the other, that can be a useful clue.
6. Think back to what happened. A scratch from a branch, play with another dog, dust, grass seeds or a knock to the face can all be relevant.
7. Watch for changes in behaviour such as dullness, hiding, reduced appetite or reluctance to go outside.
Common Causes
The most common reason is simple irritation after the injury. The eye may water to flush out dust, grit or a tiny foreign body.
A scratch to the surface of the eye is another common cause. This can make the eye sore, watery and squinty, and dogs often rub at it.
Swelling or bruising around the eye area can also make the eye water more than usual after a bump.
Less commonly, a deeper injury, something stuck under the eyelid or an eye infection developing after the trauma may be involved. These aren’t things you can safely confirm at home.
What To Do
Stop your dog from rubbing the eye if you can. A cone or similar collar may help prevent more irritation while you monitor things.
Keep the area calm and avoid using any human eye drops, creams or home remedies unless your vet has told you to.
If there’s loose dirt on the fur around the eye, you can gently wipe the outside with clean, damp cotton wool. Don’t try to remove anything stuck on the eye itself.
Keep an eye on whether the watering settles, stays the same or gets worse over the next few hours. If the eye becomes redder, more painful or more closed, that’s a reason to seek advice.
It’s also sensible to limit rough play, walking through long grass and anything that could cause further rubbing until the eye looks normal again.
When To Contact A Vet
Contact your vet promptly if the eye stays watery for more than a short time after the injury, or if your dog is squinting, seems painful, has a cloudy eye, visible damage, swelling, discharge or is rubbing at it.
Eye injuries can worsen quickly, and it’s better to have the eye checked sooner rather than later if you’re unsure.
Products That May Help
For dogs recovering from an eye injury, keeping the face and surrounding area clean can help support your normal care routine while you monitor for changes.
Related Questions
Why is my dog squinting after an eye injury?
Can a dog eye scratch heal on its own?
What should I do if my dog keeps rubbing their eye?
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.