Can dogs get pink eye from a human, or vice versa? Pink eye is the common term for conjunctivitis, or inflammation of the tissues that surround the eye. Signs of pink eye include redness in the eye, swelling, discharge, and a painful eye. While dogs can get pinkeye it’s unlikely have the same cause as conjunctivitis in humans.
Causes of conjunctivitis, or pink eye, in dogs include:
- Allergies
- Dry eye
- Irritation from smoke, aerosols, or foreign objects in the eye
- Bacterial infection
- Viral infection
- Cancer in or around the eye
- Abnormal eyelids
- Eyelashes rubbing against the eyeball
- Ulcer on the eye
- Scratch to the eye
- Glaucoma
- Uveitis (inflammation inside the eye)
- Blocked tear ducts
All these conditions and problems can cause swelling and redness around your dog’s eye. You may notice that your dog’s third eyelid is frequently elevated, covering the lower portion of her eye, and that it also appears red and swollen. The white part of the eye can be red as well.
Along with redness, a dog with pink eye may have discharge from the eye and may squint or rub at her eyes frequently. If you suspect your dog has pink eye, you should take him to the veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Pink eye and cherry eye are not the same thing.
Can Dogs Get Pinkeye from Humans?
Technically yes, dogs can get pinkeye from humans, but it’s rare. Most of the causes of conjunctivitis are not contagious even within the same species. For example, dry eye is an autoimmune disorder, and corneal ulcers are usually the result of a scratch on the eyeball. Most viruses that may cause pinkeye only infect humans or dogs, and do not infect both species.
Bacterial causes of conjunctivitis are more likely to be spread from humans to dogs (and vice versa). If you or someone in your family has a bacterial infection in the eye(s), wash your hands any time you touch your eyes and avoid touching your dog’s eyes.
Can You Get Pinkeye from Dogs?
Again, technically yes, but it’s unlikely. Remember that most causes of pinkeye in dogs, such as allergies or glaucoma, are not contagious. Viruses that might cause conjunctivitis are typically species-specific and won’t infect both dogs and humans.
Bacterial infections of the eye are more likely to jump from dogs to humans, but you would need to touch your dog’s infected eye and then touch yours. You shouldn’t be directly touching your dog’s eyeball anyway, so this risk is minimal.
If your dog does have a bacterial infection in her eye, wash your hands after applying eye drops or other medications and before touching your own eyes or face.
