
Symptom: Runny eyes - Why does my pet have runny eyes?
Runny or watery eyes are common in pets and can happen for many different reasons. It might be something minor like irritation or allergies, or it could be a sign of an underlying health problem. In this article, we’ll explain what runny eyes can look like, common causes, what you can do at home to help, and when it’s important to seek veterinary attention.
Written by Dr. Mariella Roberts, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Trust Vets CIC | Published October 2025 | Review date October 2028 | This advice is for UK pets only and is not a replacement for seeing a vet

Signs my pet may has runny eyes
Runny eyes in pets, also known as epiphora, can manifest as:
Increase in the amount of tears produced, leading to moisture around the eyes
Tear staining of the fur around the eyes, particularly in light-coloured animals- the stains are often reddish-brown due to the pigment porphyrin in the tears
Why does my pet have runny eyes?
Allergies and irritants such as pollen, dust, mold, and certain foods
Related reading:
Food Allergies in Dogs
Foreign objects like dust, grass seeds, or even eyelashes can get lodged in the eye
Abnormalities like rolled-in eyelids (entropion) or prominent eyes
Related reading:
Entropion in Dogs
Blocked tear ducts
Scratches, ulcers, or other injuries to the cornea (transparent part of the eye)
Some infections
DOs - My pet has runny eyes, what to do at home
Gently wipe away any discharge from around the eyes
Consider using sterile saline rinse to help flush out irritants and provide temporary relief
DON’Ts - My pet has runny eyes, what not to do at home
Don't use human medications or eye drops
Don't use chemicals to clean in and around the eyes
Don't use your fingers to clean and don't touch the eyeball
My pet has runny eyes - when should I think about going to the vet?
Pain or discomfort, such as squinting or rubbing the eye, or the eye being partially closed
Changes in appearance such as redness, cloudiness, swelling or changes size of the pupils
My pet has runny eyes - when is it an emergency?
Any sudden onset of cloudiness, swelling, bloody discharge, pain and vision changes
Foreign objects in the eye
Trauma/injury to the eye or head