My dog keeps pawing his face and whining. Is his eye bothering him?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | neutered | 2 years and 1 month old | 20 lbs
My dog keeps whining and pawing at his face
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Published on February 2nd, 2020
Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Ryker. Oh my, no wonder he's pawing at his face. His eye looks really bad, and I see some swelling. This has to be treated by a vet now. Please take him into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website. Best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
His right eye is red with drainage. I noticed it Saturday around midnight when we got home from a parade and it's progressively getting worse throughout the day today and he keeps pawing at it. What could be going on? Tomorrow is Mardi Gras day down
He could have a severe eye infection, may have suffering trauma to his eye, or has allergies. You do need to take him into an ER vet immediately as any eye problem is considered an emergency. The eye is such a delicate and important structure, and leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. It's especially concerning that his eye is getting worse and he's pawing at it. He could scratch his eye, which can lead to further infection and an ulcer. I would take him into an ER vet right away to have his eye examined and diagnosed so he can be treated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 7 month old pup right eye is a little irritated/ crying I just notice his paw constantly touching it last night some times his eye is close but other times he looks just fine should I be worried? what I'm I able to buy so he can feel better
Thank you for using Boop by Petco! The signs you are describing can be caused by conjunctivitis, a corneal ulcer, allergic reaction, or foreign body. Eye conditions can quickly turn into emergencies, so I recommend having Milo seen by a vet as soon as possible. In the meantime, you may want to get Milo an E-collar or "cone" to prevent him from scratching/rubbing the eye and causing further trauma. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My Belgian malanois, Mechelen, has had an issue with his left eye for 2 days. Tuesday night we noticed it seemed a bit swollen. I put a cold compress on it thinking he may have hit a branch running. Well this morning it is much larger. I slept with h
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is concerning and could be due to conjunctivitis as you pointed out though other possibilities such as a foreign body reaction, corneal ulcer or laceration or even inflammation of the periocular structures could also be going on. Regardless, this does warrant a visit to your veterinarian as soon as possible as he is likely painful. They would be able to examine his eye closely and start therapy based on findings. Good luck and have a great day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
There is something wrong with my dog’s eye. He was outside running around the fence barking at people not being aware of what’s close to him. He ran into alot of plants with thorns. Do I need to bring him to the vet?
Hi and thanks for posting on Boop by Petco! Thank you for the pictures as well- poor little Rudy! Yes, you will need to take Rudy into see his veterinarian. Rudy is squinting and seems reluctant to open his right eye. He may have endured trauma or injury to his eye which may have resulted in a corneal abrasion or scratch which are quite painful and need special treatments in order to heal properly. Your veterinarian will examine the eye and will stain the eye to check for corneal injury. Rudy may need to go home with antibiotic eye medications or other medications as needed. I hope this helps and thanks again for posting!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, my 9mo bichon/mix started pawing at his right eye two weeks ago, and I noticed it become slightly pink around the eye and a little swollen but not very noticeably. There is no weird discharge just slight watering compared to the left eye. (Fir
Thank you for using Boop by Petco! I can see a small amount of inflammation and hair loss around the eye. This is an indication of chronic itching. This can be caused by conjunctivitis, allergies, or irritation caused by an ulcer or foreign body. Your vet can rule out serious conditions such as a foreign body or ulcer, and prescribe any inflammatory eye drops or a special diet in case of allergies. In the meantime, you can get Lito an E-collar or “cone” to prevent him from scratching and causing further damage. I hope this helps and that all is well!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Okay so my dog just recently started having these problems with his eye and you can tell it’s bothering him because he keeps pawing at it. I was wondering what this could be?
His eye looks a little swollen, and it could be from an injury to the eye or an eye infection. You need to take him into a vet for this promptly, as leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. Until you can get him into the vet, put an Ecollar on him to keep him from pawing it further, as he could scratch his cornea and cause more damage. Best of luck. http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
He keeps rubbing his paws on his eyes but one eye his really in bad shape like it not gettin any better im scared we live to far from a vet. So what do i do ???
Oh no, poor Rocco! Eyes are very delicate structures and can be damaged very easily. Excessive itching can quickly worsen an existing issue, such as a corneal ulcer, and can even lead to eye rupture in severe cases. Unfortunately, the only thing that you can do at home is make sure that Rocco is wearing an e-collar (cone) so that he does not damage his eye further. A vet will need to examine Rocco to determine the cause of his eye issue so that he can be appropriately treated. I hope that he feels betters soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a flat coated retriever. Both eyes have become reddened with a clear discharge. He on occasion will try to paw at his eyes. Appears like the lower lid is more visible. Thank you.
Poor Blue! It sounds like he has an eye infection. It's important to have any eye infection examined and treated promptly, as untreated eye infections can lead to vision loss. I would take him into a vet now for an exam. The vet can confirm the eye infection, and can give him an antibiotic eye ointment to treat it.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Today I was outside with my family and noticed this type of film on my dogs eye. Dont knkw what it is, and dont know if it is something to take to vet urgently or if it will go away on its own with proper care. Especially during this COVID19 era i pr
Hello and thank you for contacting Boop by Petco. The cornea in the left eye looks very abnormal. I suspect this a corneal ulcer but it is hard to be sure without full clinical examination. The right eye does not look as bad but there is also abnormal looking cornea. Please, take Rey to your local vets taking all the necessary precautions against Covid-19. She should be seen by a vet right away.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Starting Friday afternoon I noticed Draco has been rubbing at his right eye more than normal. I took a look at his R eye and he had some gunk on it. I was able to get it off with a warm washcloth. He does have the issue where he gets brown gunk at th
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Draco. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian. He may have an eye infection or even a scratch across the surface of his eye. He sounds painful given that he is pawing at it and seeking extra attention. He will likely need some eye tests for the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis. From there treatment can be prescribed. In the meantime, place an E-collar on him to prevent further damage from pawing. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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