Dogs and cats can get infections in their eyes, commonly called conjunctivitis, or pink eye. Natural remedies for eye infections in pets can often be very effective and include apple cider vinegar, boric acid solution, and coconut oil.

Eye infections in pets, no matter the cause, usually respond quickly to home treatments.

What Causes Viral Conjunctivitis in Dogs and Cats?

Pets can get bacterial and viral infections in their eyes. Sometimes this will accompany a respiratory infection. Foreign particles in the eye can also lead to irritation and infection. Allergies can also cause discharge from the eyes, eye irritation, and bloodshot eyes.

Top Natural Remedies for Eye Infections

Below are a handful of popular remedies noted by Earth Clinic readers that work fast in getting rid of eye infections in kittens, cats and dogs.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Diluted apple cider vinegar is an excellent remedy for eye infections in pets.

Apple Cider Vinegar is an effective natural remedy that over 50 of our readers have used to cure eye infections in their cats and dogs. Read the feedback here.

Watch our popular acv for pets video to learn 2 easy and gentle ways to use apple cider vinegar topically to treat your dog or cat's eye infection, and you don't even have to touch their eyes! 
 

Boric Acid Solution

A boric acid solution is an old fashioned remedy for infections. A boric acid solution is gentle, easy to make, and easy to apply. A boric acid solution will fight bacteria, viruses and help to wash foreign particles from the eye. Boric acid is a common ingredient in over the counter eyewash solutions.

Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver fights bacteria, viruses, and fungus. To use it to treat pink eye in your pet, simply put two drops of colloidal silver into each eye twice a day for two days.

Tea

Black tea or chamomile tea makes a wonderfully soothing remedy for eye infections. Simply brew a cup of tea. Do not sweeten the tea. Allow the tea to cool. Use cotton balls to apply the tea to generously apply the tea to the eyelids. You don't have to get it directly into the eyes; some will seep in at the corners of the eyes. This remedy can be used 2-3 times each day until the infection resolves.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil soothes inflammation and fights infections. Using a soft cloth, apply a pea-sized amount of coconut oil to your pet's eyes, wiping from the inside corner of the eye to the outside corner of the eye.

Tips for an Effective Treatment

• Once you begin to use a natural remedy for eye infections, you will often see results within 12 hours. If you do not see results within 24 hours, you may wish to try another remedy. If the infection gets worse or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should consult a trusted veterinarian.
   
• Always treat both eyes when dealing with an eye infection, even if only one eye appears to be infected. It is very common for eye infections to spread quickly.
   
• WEash your hands thoroughly after treating your pet's eyes to not contaminate yourself or other pets in your house.
   
• If you are using a topical treatment, use a fresh cotton ball for each eye each time you apply a remedy.
   
• It is best to continue treating each eye for several days after the infection appears to be resolved unless you use colloidal silver, which only needs to be used for 2 days.

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Keep reading to see what our readers have used to treat their pet's eye infections!

Have you used a natural remedy for an eye infection in your cat or dog? Please send us some feedback!