Wondering how to give a dog eye drops or eye ointment? If you are holding a bottle or tube, looking at your wiggly dog, and feeling like it is an impossible assignment, you aren’t alone. Applying eye medications can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby provides easy-to-follow steps for giving a dog eye drops or eye ointment (complete with pictures and a video) and offers several tips and tricks to make the process as smooth as possible.
Whether you are reading up on how to give a dog eye ointment after leaving the vet office with a tube of eye medication in hand or you are temporarily regrouping after administering way too many eye drops to your dog’s fur and zero to his or her eyes, take heart. You can learn to give your dog eye medications. While it sounds hard, and may feel hard right now, it doesn’t have to stay that way.
How do I give a dog eye drops or ointment?
Let’s start with a quick reference guide that summarizes the steps for how to give a dog eye drops or ointment. Some dog parents find it helpful to print this list and have it handy while administering the drops.
Now let’s take a closer look at each step in more detail. Along the way, I’ll share some helpful hints. If after reading the steps and trying them, you are still struggling, I’ve also included some bonus tips at the end of this article.
Detailed steps for putting eye drops in a dog’s eyes
Before you jump in and put eye drops in your dog’s eye, I recommend reading (and thinking) through the process a few times to familiarize yourself with it. And if you haven’t administered eye drops before, you may want to ask your veterinarian for a demonstration.
Step #1: Set up the eye medication, treats, and any other needed supplies in a comfortable location. Then wash your hands.
If you are ready to try administering drops at home, the first step is to get yourself organized.
Find a clean, well-lit location in your house where both you and your dog can feel comfortable. This might be your kitchen, living room, bedroom, etc. For small dogs, I recommend putting them on a table that you can easily stand next to or having them sit in your lap on a couch or chair. However, big dogs usually do best when left on the floor in an area with good traction, like the carpet, a rug, or the grass.
Ensure that the medication is within arm’s reach and that you know how many drops or how much ointment your dog needs, and which eye it goes in, before you start.
I also recommend having some Kleenex or toilet paper nearby in case you need to clean up any drops or ointment that drips out. Additionally, you should have a high-value treat or toy to give your dog for positive reinforcement or as a distraction.
Once you are ready, wash your hands. If your hands are dirty and you touch near your dog’s eye, you could cause more irritation or discomfort.
Step #2: Bring your dog to the chosen location. Then hold your dog in a safe and secure position that allows you access to his or her eyes.
Now it is time to bring your dog over and get him or her positioned so you can apply the medication.
While you give the eye drops or ointment, your dog can sit or stand—whatever is easiest for you and your dog.
With large dogs, some dog parents like to crouch on the floor next to them and rest the dog’s chin on their leg or knee. Or they may prefer to stand behind a large dog who is sitting between their feet.
Small dogs can be positioned in a way that’s most comfortable for you to hold your dog’s head and the medication. As mentioned previously, this often ends up being on your lap or on a table.
POSITIONING TIP #1: If your dog is difficult or wriggly and you are learning how to give eye drops, you may want to enlist the help of a friend to hold your dog while you put the medication in the eyes.
POSITIONING TIP #2: When you apply eye medication, avoid bending over your dog (especially his or her face) because this could make your dog feel intimidated or scared. Instead, stand to the side or behind your dog. But make sure you have a clear view of your dog’s eyes to ensure that you can put the medication in the proper location.
Step #3: Examine your dog’s eye and mentally compare it to what it looked like previously
Once you have your dog in position, take a moment to evaluate your dog’s eye. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Does it look like the eye is improving or getting worse?
- Is the eye becoming more or less red or painful?
- Has my dog developed a cloudy eye in dogs? Or if it was already cloudy, has the appearance changed?
- Is my dog’s eye swollen? If so, has the swelling increased or decreased?
- Is my dog squinting or holding the eye closed more or less than before?
- Is my dog’s eye goopy? If so, is there more or less discharge than before? Does it look the same as before?
- Has anything else changed about the appearance of my dog’s eye or overall behavior?
If your dog’s eye becomes more swollen, red, squinty, cloudy, or painful, or if you notice any abnormal discharge or other worrisome changes, please call your veterinarian. These could be signs that your dog’s eye condition is worsening.
SAFETY WARNING: Eyes can get bad fast. So, it is very important to examine your dog’s eyes each time you give the drops or ointment. Please contact your vet ASAP if you have concerns.
Step #4: Take the lid off the medication and hold the bottle or tube in your dominant hand.
After you finish evaluating your dog’s eyes, remove the cap from the medication bottle. Ensure the tip is clean and free of debris. If it is not, gently wipe it with a clean tissue.
Hold the bottle of ointment or drops in your dominant hand and near your dog’s eye. The best way to hold it is between your thumb and pointer finger. Ensure you keep the medication bottle tilted upright at this point. This helps prevent you from accidentally dripping medication on your dog before you are ready.
Step #5: Place your non-dominant hand under your dog’s chin and tilt the head slightly upward while steadying the head.
Take your non-dominant hand and place it on the side of your dog’s face with your fingers curved under the jaw. Gently point your dog’s nose slightly up to the ceiling while using your hand to steady the head.
Step #6: Use the pinky side of your dominant hand to retract the skin above the upper eyelid, thus raising the eyelid.
Take the pinky side of the hand holding the medication and rest it on your dog’s face near the eye. Then use your pinky or a different finger to gently pull the skin above the top eyelid upwards. This should help hold the eyelid open.
SAFETY WARNING: Be very gentle when opening the eyelids. If possible, try to pull up or down on the skin above and below the eyelid to open the eye rather than putting your fingers on the eyelids themselves. Eyes are fragile (especially if the cornea is injured), so applying too much pressure could damage the eye. Also, take care not to accidentally poke your dog’s eyes with your fingers or the tip of the bottle or tube.
Step #7: Pull down the skin below the lower eyelid with the thumb of your non-dominant hand. Then use your dominant hand to apply the medication to the pocket formed by the lower eyelid.
Place the thumb of your non-dominant hand just below the eye to be medicated while keeping your other fingers under the jaw for support. Then use your thumb to gently pull down the lower eyelid.
Next, use your dominant hand (which has already pulled the upper eyelid up) to squeeze the ointment or drops inside the pocket formed by the lower eyelid. (For increased stability, keep the wrist and/or the heel of your dominant hand resting on your dog’s head.) If the prescription requires a certain number of drops or amount of ointment, be sure to apply the correct amount.
ADMINISTRATION TECHNIQUE NOTE: Never touch the tip of the medication bottle or tube to your dog’s eyes. This could injure your dog’s eye and contaminate the medication bottle.
Step #8: Release your dog and give him or her a high-value reward.
Move the medication bottle away from your dog’s eye and release his or her head.
Give your dog lots of praise and a high-value treat or toy. This part is very important because you want your dog to have a positive association with eye drops. That way, he or she will learn to tolerate the eye medication.
Repeat for the other eye or next medication
If you need to put medication in the other eye, sometimes you might be able to do so before releasing your dog’s head and giving the reward. But if your dog is resistant or scared, it is better to give him or her a break before attempting to medicate the other eye.
NOTE ABOUT GIVING MULTIPLE MEDICATIONS: If your dog needs more than one medication for his or her eyes, please ask your veterinarian what order you should apply the drops or ointment in and how long you need to wait before applying the next medication. It is important to follow your veterinarian’s instructions because some drops may wash out other medications or make them less effective if administered at the same time.
Watch this video on giving your dog eye drops at home
Now that you have the step-by-step instructions, check out my video for demonstrations:
What if I’m still having trouble giving my dog eye drops or ointment?
Perhaps you’ve tried everything above, but it is still not going very well. If that’s the case, I want you to know that you are not alone. Hopefully, some of these additional tips will be the ticket to a more successful and less stressful eye medication session.
1. Practice makes perfect
I know this might seem silly, but I always think it is a good idea to practice applying eye drops before actually doing it.
When your veterinarian prescribes the drops or ointment, ask him or her to demonstrate how to apply them. Then ask your vet to watch you practice applying the medicine. You don’t even need to hold the actual bottle—just pretend it is between your fingers.
Then, when you get home, if you can’t remember how you did it in the vet’s office, practice holding your dog and applying imaginary drops. This is the best way to figure out what position is most comfortable for you and your dog. And it helps you gain confidence before applying the medication.
Although you don’t want to waste too many drops or too much ointment, I do also recommend giving the tube or bottle one practice squeeze before trying to apply the medication to your dog’s eye. Some containers have a lot of resistance, while the medication may start dripping out of others with the slightest pressure. Knowing how hard to squeeze the bottle can definitely make things go smoother, too.
2. Train your dog that eye drops = treats or toys
Not only is practice beneficial for you, but it is also a great way to train your dog to receive eye drops. For most dogs, sitting still or having the head held is the most difficult part of administering eye medication. By practicing without the eye drops, you can reward your dog for participating and cooperating. Your dog will learn that sitting for his or her medication equals a tasty treat or an exciting toy.
This sort of training and practice is great for all dogs, but especially for nervous dogs. Positive reinforcement can help a fearful or uncertain dog learn how to respond and trust you for medication application.
NOTE: For this to work, it is important that you make each training session a positive experience for your dog. Stay calm and remember that you and your dog are learning together.
3. Be patient and relaxed
Being patient and relaxed also goes far when learning how to give eye drops to your dog. If you are anxious and stressed, your dog will detect your mood. This could lead to your dog being anxious, wiggly, or scared.
If you feel nervous or tense, step back and take a deep breath. Maybe go for a quick walk around the house, pet, or play with your dog for a moment. Then reassure your dog (and yourself) that everything is okay and you can do this!
4. Don’t be afraid to use a muzzle
If your dog is still very scared and tries to bite, I would recommend learning how to muzzle your dog at home and teaching your dog to accept a muzzle. When putting in eye drops, you are very close to a dog’s face. This doesn’t leave a lot of room for you to move away if your dog tries to bite. Since even the sweetest and best-behaved dogs can bite when nervous, using a muzzle can help keep you safe.
If you don’t have a muzzle or don’t know how to apply one, you can ask your veterinarian for recommendations. Or you can check out one of my favorite resources for muzzle use and training, The Muzzle Up! Project.
5. Grab an extra set of hands
I mentioned this in the instructions, but I want to repeat it again. It can be very helpful to have a friend, family member, or neighbor help hold your dog still while you administer the drops. Especially at first, giving eye drops or ointment can feel awkward. But if you have someone else helping keep your dog still, that gives you one less thing to think about.
6. Try holding your dog in different positions
In addition to asking for help from a second person, you can try different holding positions. Some dogs may feel more comfortable if you stand behind them when applying the drops.
Other dogs may feel more relaxed if they can see their parents’ faces and watch for reassuring body language. In these cases, you can try standing at a right angle or slightly in front of the dog.
Remember, no matter how you position yourself, ensure you are not leaning over your dog. That can make him or her feel trapped. Also, you want to have your face far enough from your dog that you can quickly move it away if needed. And both you and your dog should be sitting or standing in a position that is comfortable.
Once you practice, stay calm, use your resources (e.g., a muzzle, treats and toys, or a set of extra hands), and figure out a position and method that works well for you and your dog, applying eye drops should become easier for you both.
What if my dog keeps rubbing his or her eyes after the medication?
Once you have successfully given the medication, some dogs may try to rub their eyes (just like we may be tempted to do after eye drops). However, it is important that you discourage this behavior. Otherwise, the dog may rub the medication out of the eye—or far worse yet—damage the eye.
If your dog is persistent about rubbing his or her eyes, please contact your veterinarian. Your dog might need a cone (i.e., an E collar) to prevent any further injury to the eye. Or the veterinarian may wish to switch to a different medication or a different formulation that may be less irritating to your dog’s eyes.
Why do dogs need eye drops?
There are multiple diseases that could cause a dog to need eye drops or ointment. Some reasons that you may need to administer eye drops or ointment to your dog include:
- Dry eye in dogs (also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca or KCS)
- Seasonal allergies in dogs
- Corneal ulcers in dogs
- Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the tissue that lines the eyelid and covers a portion of the eyeball)
- Eye infections
- Trauma to the eye
- Irritation from a foreign body like a foxtail in dogs
- Glaucoma in dogs
- Uveitis in dogs
- Cataracts in dogs
- After surgery for a dog eyelid tumor
- Cherry eye in dogs
The eye medications for these conditions work in various ways and are specific to the condition the dog has. For example, they may reduce inflammation, treat infection, reduce intraocular pressure, lubricate the eye, or stimulate tear production. Your vet can explain what each medication will do to help your dog.
Work with your veterinarian to manage your dog’s eye condition
While you are treating your dog’s eye condition, it is important to contact your vet promptly if you have any concerns or questions. It is much better to reach out to the vet and discover that you are fine to stay the course than it is to wish you had spoken up sooner.
Additionally, even if your dog seems to be improving, it is still a good idea to keep any recommended follow-up appointments with your vet. This allows him or her to recheck tear production or intraocular pressure, determine if an ulcer is gone, or do whatever else is necessary to monitor your dog’s progress. Based on the information the vet gathers, he or she can then modify the treatment plan if necessary.
You can put eye drops in your dog’s eyes!
Hopefully, after these step-by-step instructions, tips, and troubleshooting ideas, giving your dog eye drops or ointment doesn’t seem quite as intimidating. Remember to stay calm, be as prepared as possible beforehand, and keep it positive for your dog. Just keep telling yourself and your dog, “We can do this!” And before you know it, you will be doing it!
What was one thing that made giving your dog eye drops or ointment a bit easier?
Please share your tips or experience below.
We welcome your comments and questions about senior dog care.
However, if you need medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, please contact your local veterinarian.