Dogs can battle all kinds of eye issues, whether they be temporary or lifelong. But that does not mean your pup should have to suffer. There are tons of eye drops on the market to solve eye woes. But what products are the best for our canine friends? Your dog should always have their eyes checked by a veterinarian if you notice changes so that they can advise on the best treatment. If you are looking for a non-prescription eye drop for general maintenance we are here to help.

Luckily, we did all the hard work, rounding up this list of excellent products. We hope our reviews give you a good look at what to expect when you shop. Let’s take a look at what’s out there.

A Glance at Our Favorites in 2024

The 7 Best Eye Drops for Dogs

1. Dr. Goodpet Dog Eye Drops – Best Overall

We reviewed some pretty terrific products, but our favorite overall was the Dr. Goodpet Eye-C Dog & Cat Eye Drops. It solves most minor eye irritations—plus, you can use it for dogs or cats, making it ideal for multi-pet households.

The active ingredients in this product are vitamin C and zinc, nourishing the skin by providing moisture and lessening discomfort. It also works to prevent seeping and eye-staining, so you can help your pup’s eyes stop running on their pretty coat.

We loved how easy this product was to use. It comes with an easy-to-open bottle top that doubles as a dropper. The formula itself is homeopathic and made in the USA.

We want to be clear that this product is only for minor eye issues such as tear staining. If you believe your dog has an eye infection or injury, seeking a vet’s opinion is necessary before buying eye drops.

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2. Curicyn All-Purpose Eye Drops for Dogs – Best Value

If you’re looking for a steal of a deal, we think you might be interested in the Curicyn All-Purpose Dog Eye Care Solution drops. From what we’ve found, they are the best eye drops for dogs for the money.

We love that it would work for various eye issues, from cleaning to soothing irritated eyes. Not only are they safe for our dear canine companions—they also work wonders for nearly all domesticated animals you can own.

This formula is gentle and easy to apply. The bottle itself is plastic with a dropper-style tip for one-step applications. It was meant to reduce inflammation and prevent infection, working very well against numerous eye issues.

We saw the most success in issues like seasonal runny eyes and cleaning away debris. We thought it was a terrific product, especially for the price.

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3. Thomas Labs Terra Septic Eye Drops – Premium Choice

If you don’t mind spending a few extra dollars for a quality product, we recommend the Thomas Labs Terra Septic Dog Eye& Ear Drops. These drops are ultimately multipurpose, taking care of issues with both ear canals and eyes safely and effectively.

We love that it comes in a convenient dropper with a rubber top. It is straightforward to apply, but we warrant caution as the drops can come out quickly with minimal force.

The formula is designed to protect sensitive tissue in these areas while promoting healing. Using a pH-balanced silver solution, this minimal ingredient product covers so many bases you’ll be astounded by the results.

Granted, it is a little pricey. So, it’s really only a suitable decision if you need it for ears and skin, too. Otherwise, it might cost a pretty penny for results you can find for cheaper with other eye drops.

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4. Akorn Artificial Tears Lubricant – Best for Puppies

Our puppies are sensitive and we know how important safe products are for our little troopers. Since we know you might need a solution for eye irritation before they reach adulthood, we think Akorn Artificial Tears Lubricant will do the trick.

This product comes in a tube in ointment form. Even though it can be a little messy, it goes on smoothly to safely coat the eye. This ointment is veterinary strength, but it’s gentle enough for everyday use.

This formula is geared toward eye problems like dryness, but can help soothe eyes. Using mineral oil and white petrolatum. It’s not as wonderful for issues relating to infections. We found that the ointment is a little more long-lasting, so you won’t have to fiddle with reapplication as much, either.

Even though we highly recommend it for puppies, you can use it for adults just the same. So, if you find your pup does well on it, you can keep this item on hand throughout their lifetime.

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5. NutriVet Dog Eye Rinse

NutriVet Dog Eye Rinse is a terrific formula that takes care of just about any eye issue. It flushes, cleans, and protects your dog’s eyes without adding irritation or causing pain. Sometimes, our pups can get into all sorts of things that could potentially get in the eyes—like dust, fur, pollen and other debris.

If your dog is having issues with crust buildup or debris in the eye, this gentle formula flushes out the matter to relieve your dog. It contains boric acid, which is an antibacterial agent that fights against infection.

You can also use this product to remove tear stains if that’s a problem for your breed. It lightens the fur, lifting the unwanted color effectively. It also slows down the formation of tear stains if you use it frequently on your pooch.

We think this product would work especially well for dogs who have allergies, as it soothes irritation from pollen and other environmental allergens.

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6. PetSilver Dog Eye Wash

Petsilver Dog Eye Wash is an excellent product to have on hand for virtually any dog owner. If your dog ever gets any foreign material in their eye, this is a safe, pain-free way to clear things up.

Plus, if your dog suffers from pesky tear stains, this formula eliminates that problem, too. We love the simple ingredients, based only on water and chelated silver without drying agents or stinging ingredients.

Granted, this product doesn’t take care of more serious problems but it’s excellent to have in the cabinet for emergencies. However, for infections or existing injuries, look elsewhere.

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7. Ocunovis Dog Gel Eye Drops

Ocunovis Dog Gel Eye Drops are easy to control during administration, which earns them a big thumbs up from us—especially if you have a rather rambunctious pooch.

We love the consistency so you can get a perfect dollop every time without messes or over/underuse.

Aside from the consistency, the product worked great for the intended use of eye lubrication. We really like that the thickness appears to coat and nourish the eye to reduce irritation and heal it at the source.

Admittedly, this product won’t work quite as well as some competing products for irritation. But it is more long-lasting than drops and is useful for dry eyes.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Eye Drops for Dogs

If you need eye drops for your dog, how can you know you’re choosing the best kind? Well, that depends on what outcome you’re looking for. Ultimately, you want eye drops that are both safe and effective. But let’s go over the criteria when buying eye drops for canines.

Reasons to Apply Eye Drops/Ointment

Eye Irritation

Maybe your pup just needs a good all-purpose rinse. Some eye irritation could be from the environment, like pollen, dust, or airborne debris. Certain eye drops are designed to clear things right up. 

Inflammation

Information can occur with certain eye issues like allergies and medical conditions. To prevent this inflammation from bothering your pup, anti-inflammatory eye drops are readily available.

Injury

If your dog has a scratch or other eye injury, you might need to keep it clean and disinfected to prevent it from getting worse. Some eye injuries require medical assistance but others can clear up with over-the-counter eye meds. Get all eye injuries checked out by your vet.

Dryness

If your dog has trouble with eye dryness, it might be time to lube things up. Eye drops and gels can nourish, soothe, and combat dry eyes by providing adequate moisture. Prescription eye medications to help with tear production are available from your veterinarian.

Tear Stains

Some breeds are prone to tear staining while others suffer from allergies. Regardless of the reason, many eye drops and gels are designed to break up these stains and bring the coat back to its vibrant original color.

Infection

With some mild infections, such as conjunctivitis, you might be able to clear it up all by yourself at home without relying on a vet prescription. However, you might need to visit your vet for a prescription-strength formula, depending on the issue. Best to discuss with your vet before you start trying at home treatments.

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Product Specs

Safety

Let’s face it—we can have adverse reactions to anything. But certain products can be more likely to cause negative issues.

Effectiveness

No matter your dog’s eye issue, the correction of the problem is key. Getting an effective formula will make sure to stretch your dollar and comfort your dog.

Ease of Use

Since eye drops are liquid-based, an easy application is the best route—no complicated instructions. It should be as simple as a dropper full to the eye, but some bottles can be messy or easy to spill.

Comfort

Eye drops that sting or hurt can make your dog permanently fearful of eye drop applications. Making sure that the type you get is completely free of any ingredients that might irritate the eyes is crucial—especially if they are unfamiliar with the process. Oh and offer treats regularly!

Conclusion

We know that eye drops have different purposes, but we still think Dr. Goodpet Eye-C Dog & Cat Eye Drops is a fix for most canine eye issues. It’s terrific to have on hand and you can use them for virtually any pet you have.

If you’re looking to save some cash, don’t forget the Curicyn All-Purpose Dog & Cat Eye Drops. They are easy on the wallet and good for most any minor eye problem.

No matter your no prescription need, we hope one of these seven products does the trick for your little furry friend.

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Featured Image Credit: Jus_Ol, Shutterstock