Eye problems can look minor at first — a bit of discharge, a watery eye, a little squint. But in dogs, eye issues can worsen quickly, and the difference between a mild irritation and a serious problem isn’t always obvious from the outside.
Spaniels are active, nose-to-the-ground dogs. They push through long grass, brambles, hedgerows and muddy cover, which makes them more likely to pick up eye irritation, scratches, foreign bodies and inflammation. The good news is that many cases are treatable and preventable — as long as you act early and take the right steps.
This hub will help you recognise the most common eye symptoms in spaniels, understand what they might mean, and know when to contact your vet.
Important: If your spaniel is squinting, pawing at their eye, has swelling, a cloudy eye, or sudden redness, speak to a vet promptly. Eye problems can become painful and serious fast.
Key guides in this section
Vision and appearance questions
- Dogs vision vs human vision
- Can spaniels have blue eyes?
- Spaniel eye discharge what each colour means
- Why is my spaniel squinting in one eye?
Related health hubs
- Skin allergies and itching
- Ear problems and infections
- Emergency symptoms (when to act fast)
- Vet care and routine checkups
Common signs of eye problems in spaniels
Look out for:
- squinting or keeping one eye partly closed
- excessive blinking
- pawing at the face or rubbing the eye on the floor
- redness (in the white of the eye or inner eyelid)
- watery eyes or constant tearing
- yellow/green discharge
- crusty build-up around the eye
- swelling around the eyelids
- sensitivity to light
- cloudy or blue/grey haze over the eye
- visible third eyelid showing more than normal
- one eye looking different from the other
- bumping into things or hesitating in dim light (possible vision issues)
When an eye problem is urgent
Contact your vet as soon as possible if you notice:
- squinting + pain (common with scratches/ulcers)
- a cloudy eye or sudden blue/grey haze
- swelling around the eye or eyelids
- thick yellow/green discharge
- bleeding, trauma, or suspected thorn/grass seed injury
- the eye looks “bulging” or unusually sunken
- your dog seems distressed, restless, or won’t settle
- sudden change in vision or bumping into things
- symptoms worsening within hours
If you’re unsure, treat eye problems as time-sensitive. Waiting often makes treatment harder.
➡️ Related hub: /spaniel-health/emergencies/
Why spaniels get eye irritation so often
Spaniels are more prone to eye issues because they commonly:
- run through dense cover where eyes get scratched
- pick up grit, seeds and pollen
- love water (and muddy water is irritating)
- get allergies that affect eyes and skin
- have long ear hair and facial feathering that can trap debris
Even something as simple as a windy walk in dry grass can trigger irritation.
The most common causes of red or watery eyes
Eye symptoms have many possible causes. These are the most common patterns in spaniels:
1) Foreign body irritation (grass seed, dust, grit)
Often causes:
- sudden watering
- squinting
- pawing at the eye
- discomfort that comes on quickly
This can turn into a scratch if the debris rubs the surface.
2) Minor scratches (corneal irritation)
A corneal scratch or ulcer can be very painful and needs vet treatment.
Common signs:
- intense squinting
- blinking a lot
- eye watering heavily
- dog rubbing face
3) Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye lining)
Often looks like:
- red inner eyelids
- discharge
- watery eyes
- mild irritation
Conjunctivitis can be caused by infection, allergies, or irritation.
4) Allergies
Allergies can cause:
- watery eyes
- redness
- itching around face
- recurring ear and skin issues as well
➡️ Related hub: /spaniel-health/skin-allergies/
5) Dry eye (reduced tear production)
This can lead to:
- thick or stringy discharge
- redness
- repeated irritation
- discomfort
Dry eye needs vet assessment because the eye surface can become damaged without proper management.
6) Eyelid/eyelash irritation
Sometimes lashes or eyelids rub the eye repeatedly, causing ongoing soreness or watery eyes.
7) Infection (bacterial involvement)
Thick yellow/green discharge and worsening inflammation should be checked.
What to do immediately (safe first steps)
If your spaniel has a mild, recent eye irritation (and no red flags), this is the safest approach:
Step 1: Stop rubbing
If your dog is rubbing their eye on the carpet or pawing at it, the risk of damage increases quickly. Calm them, distract them, and reduce rough play.
Step 2: Check for obvious debris
In good light, gently look:
- around the eyelids
- corners of the eye
- under facial feathering
Don’t dig around inside the eye — if you suspect something is stuck, it’s a vet job.
Step 3: Keep walks calm and avoid long grass
For 24–48 hours, avoid:
- brambles and hedgerows
- windy, dusty routes
- heavy cover
Step 4: Monitor change over hours, not days
Eyes don’t behave like minor skin problems — they can worsen quickly.
If you don’t see improvement fast, or symptoms increase, book the vet.
What you should NOT do
Avoid these common mistakes:
- waiting “a few days to see how it goes” when the dog is squinting
- using human eye drops
- using leftover medication from a previous problem
- trying to remove something stuck in the eye with fingers/tweezers
- letting the dog rub continuously
- assuming eye discharge is always “just sleep”
If the eye is painful or cloudy, treat it as urgent.
Prevention: protecting spaniel eyes long-term
Spaniels don’t need to be wrapped in cotton wool — but a few habits reduce eye issues a lot:
- trim long hair around eyes if it traps debris
- rinse the face gently after muddy walks (especially if pollen is high)
- avoid heavy cover when you already notice irritation starting
- manage allergies (eyes + ears + paws often link together)
- keep recall reliable to reduce crashing into brambles
➡️ Related training: /spaniel-training/recall/
Vision changes in spaniels
Not every eye issue is about irritation. Some owners notice:
- hesitation on stairs in low light
- bumping into furniture at night
- anxiety in dim places
- startle reactions when approached
If you suspect vision changes, it’s worth getting checked — especially if it’s developing gradually.
Where to go next
If your spaniel’s eye symptoms are part of a bigger pattern, these hubs usually help most:
- Skin allergies and itching:
/spaniel-health/skin-allergies/ - Ear problems and infections:
/spaniel-health/ear-problems/ - Vet checks and prevention:
/spaniel-health/vet-care/