🐾 Vet-Approved 2025 Guide: Allergic Conjunctivitis in Dogs and Cats—Symptoms, Relief & Prevention 🐶👁️🐱

By Dr. Duncan Houston, BVSc

Red, itchy, watery eyes aren’t just a human allergy symptom—pets get them too! 🐾 In dogs and cats, this condition is called allergic conjunctivitis. It can cause discomfort, irritation, and even lead to serious eye problems if untreated 👁️😿

Here’s everything you need to know in 2025 about spotting the signs, understanding the causes, and keeping your pet’s eyes healthy and clear 🧠🐶

🔬 What Is Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the pink membrane that covers the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids (including the third eyelid in pets) 🩺

Signs include:

• 👁️ Red or swollen eyes
• 👃 Discharge—clear, yellow, green, or cloudy
• 🐾 Squinting, excessive blinking
• 🐕 Itching or rubbing the eyes with paws or on furniture
• 🤧 Sneezing, nasal discharge, or coughing (in some cases)

📊 Allergic vs. Infectious Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis can be caused by:

• 🦠 Bacterial or viral infections (e.g., herpes in cats)
• 🌼 Allergens like pollen, dust, or mold
• 🍖 Food allergies
• 🧬 Genetic predisposition to allergies (atopy)

🟡 Yellow or green discharge = often infection
⚪ Clear or white discharge = more likely allergies

🧠 Who’s at Risk?

Allergic conjunctivitis can affect any breed or age, but is most common in young adult pets—especially those prone to allergies (like pugs, shih-tzus, bulldogs, and terriers) 🐾

💊 Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the severity and cause. Most cases respond to:

• 👁️ Prescription eye drops or ointments with corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone) to reduce inflammation
• 🧼 Saline eye washes to remove allergens and discharge
• 💊 Oral antihistamines or corticosteroids for systemic allergic symptoms

❗ If there’s a scratch on the cornea (checked with fluorescein stain), steroid-free medication will be prescribed to avoid delayed healing

🐶 Over-the-counter antihistamines may help, but always check with your vet before use 🛑

🔁 At-Home Care Tips

• 🧴 Flush eyes daily with sterile saline to reduce allergens
• 🧼 Keep paws clean to prevent rubbing irritation
• 📦 Use an Elizabethan collar if your pet scratches or rubs their face
• 🧹 Reduce household dust and allergens with air purifiers and frequent vacuuming

📉 When to See a Specialist

If your pet doesn’t improve with treatment, your vet may refer you to a:

• 👩‍⚕️ Veterinary ophthalmologist (eye specialist)
• 🌿 Veterinary dermatologist (allergy testing and long-term management)

Testing may include allergy testing (skin or blood) or a food trial 🍽️

🛡️ Prevention Tips

• 🛏️ Keep pets indoors during high pollen seasons
• 🧽 Clean bedding regularly
• 🚫 Avoid scented cleaners or sprays near your pet’s eyes
• 🌿 Monitor for signs of allergies in skin or ears too (they often go hand-in-hand)

While you may not be able to eliminate allergic conjunctivitis completely, you can manage it effectively with your vet’s help 🐕❤️

📲 Need Ongoing Help?

For long-term allergy management or if you’re struggling to manage eye symptoms, visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app 📱

Our veterinary team can provide support, suggest alternative treatments, and help keep your pet’s eyes—and overall health—in the clear 👁️🐾

🌼 With the right care, allergic conjunctivitis doesn’t have to cloud your pet’s quality of life! 🐶🌈