If you’ve noticed your dog’s eyes seem to be a little bit hazy or foggy, cloudy eyes are typical as a dog ages. However, there may be some medical causes to look into first before assuming it’s just normal aging. If you find yourself asking, “Why are my dog’s eyes cloudy?”, here’s what to know and a few potential reasons why your dog’s eyes might be cloudy:

What Are Cloudy Eyes in Dogs?

Cloudy eyes are often a sign of some common eye problems in dogs. If a dog has cloudy eyes, you may notice a white or blue color in the eye. The eye may look milky white or even a blue-grayish color, or look like there’s a hazy film over the eye. You may see some redness, discharge, or your dog’s eye tearing up more than normal.

There are three different parts of your dog’s eye: the lens, cornea, as well as other internal parts of the eye. Cloudy eyes can happen when there are opacities in the lens or an abnormality of the cornea. While most cases of cloudy eyes and dogs do not necessitate an emergency trip to the vet, some do.

If you notice that your dog’s eye is swollen or bleeding, make sure to call your vet immediately because these are symptoms you should never ignore in your dog. They may also be pawing or scratching at their eye or holding it shut. These can indicate signs of pain, so it’s important to make sure they are seen by your vet as soon as possible.

Common Causes of Cloudy Eyes in Dogs

There can be a few different reasons why your dog has cloudy eyes. Here are a few common causes of cloudy eyes in dogs:

1. Nuclear Sclerosis

As a dog gets older, their eye lens becomes denser, which can cause a bluish haze to develop. This process is called nuclear sclerosis or lenticular sclerosis and is normal as dogs age. Nuclear sclerosis typically develops in both eyes at the same time, and thankfully, it doesn’t significantly change a dog’s vision.

Because it doesn’t typically impact a dog’s vision, there is no treatment for it. However, to make sure it is not another eye-related issue, a veterinarian will need to assess your dog’s eyes to make sure nothing else is causing the cloudiness in your dog’s eye.

2. Cataracts

Cataracts are the opacity of the lens, and often appear as cloudiness in one or both eyes. This opacity prevents light from getting through the lens, which affects a dog’s vision. This opacity can be quite small and localized, or it can cover the entire lens.

Causes of Cataracts

Cataracts can be caused by a variety of things. Common causes of cataracts can include:

• Genetic conditions
• Inherited predispositions
• Diabetes
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Inflammation
• Eye injuries
• Aging

Dogs can inherit genetic conditions that cause them or predispositions for developing them. Dogs with canine diabetes often develop cataracts. Other causes include nutritional deficiencies, inflammation, or eye injuries. Cataracts can also be just a normal part of aging for dogs.

Signs of Cataracts in Dogs

Signs and symptoms of cataracts in dogs can include:

• Difficulty navigating
• Bumping into things more often
• Hesitancy to play
• Rubbing eyes
• Squinted eyes
• Excessive tearing
• Discomfort related to their eyes/face

If your dog has cataracts, you probably will notice them bumping into things or being more hesitant to play. They may also rub their eyes and have excessive tearing. You might also see them squinting their eyes or showing signs of discomfort.

How to Treat or Manage Cataracts in Dogs

If you notice any of these changes, make sure to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. There are some surgical treatment options, like removing the lens and replacing it with an artificial lens or using a laser to break up the cataract. The earlier a cataract is treated, the more likely the surgery and recovery process will work.

If your dog’s cataracts are caused by diabetes, it is imperative to manage your dog’s sugar levels correctly. If the cataracts are caused by inflammation, your veterinarian will need to run some tests to determine the cause of the inflammation. Once that is determined and addressed, the cataracts can be treated.

So if you’re looking at your dog and having to ask, “Why are my dog’s eyes cloudy?”, there could be a few reasons. If you notice your dog’s eyes begin to look cloudy, make sure to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. They’ll be able to diagnose your dog and pursue any treatment options available.