If a red, fleshy lump has suddenly appeared in the corner of your dog's eye, looking a bit like a small cherry, that is exactly what "cherry eye" describes. It is the tear gland of the third eyelid slipping out of place and becoming visible and swollen. It usually looks far more dramatic than it feels, but it is not something to treat at home: it needs a vet, and the sooner the better to keep your dog comfortable and protect the eye. Here is what is actually happening and what to do.
I sometimes spot one first when a dog is up close on the grooming table, and my advice is always the same: lovely as they are, we do not touch eyes, this one is for the vet.
What cherry eye actually is
Dogs have a third eyelid in the inner corner of each eye, and tucked behind it sits a gland that produces a big share of the tear film that keeps the eye moist. In cherry eye, that gland prolapses, meaning it pops out from its normal position and bulges into view as a round, pink or red swelling in the eye corner.
You might notice:
- A red or pink rounded lump in the inner corner of one or both eyes
- Rubbing or pawing at the eye
- Watery or mucky discharge
- The eye looking a little sore or irritated
It can appear very suddenly, sometimes overnight. There is more on the anatomy of cherry eye on Wikipedia if you want the background.
Which dogs are prone to it
Cherry eye is often down to a weakness in the tiny ligament that should hold the gland in place, and that tendency runs in certain breeds. It is most common in younger dogs, frequently under two years old. Breeds seen more often include:
- Bulldogs (English and French) and Boston Terriers
- Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos and Pekingese
- Beagles and American Cocker Spaniels
- Mastiffs, Great Danes and Cane Corsos
If your breed is on the list, it is worth knowing what cherry eye looks like so you can act quickly if it happens. It can affect one eye and later the other. The PDSA guide to cherry eye in dogs is a reliable, vet-written reference.
Why this is a vet job, not a home one
I want to be really clear here, because people do try: please do not attempt to push the gland back yourself, and do not rely on home remedies. The eye is delicate, poking at it risks damage and infection, and the gland will not stay put on its own.
Left untreated, the exposed gland can:
- Dry out and become sore or infected
- Stop producing its share of tears, leading to dry eye, which is uncomfortable and ongoing
- Cause your dog to rub and potentially scratch the eye surface
None of that is fixable at home, which is exactly why it needs professional care.
Vet note: A gland gently massaged or pushed back may seem to disappear, but it almost always pops out again and can be damaged in the process. Booking a vet is the kind, effective route, not persevering at home.
What the vet will do
Your vet will examine the eye and, in most cases, recommend a small operation to reposition the gland and tuck it back where it belongs. The modern approach is to save the gland rather than remove it, precisely because it does such an important job in tear production.
- They may prescribe anti-inflammatory or lubricating eye drops first, particularly for a very fresh, small prolapse
- Surgery to reposition the gland is the usual and most reliable fix
- Removing the gland is generally avoided now, as it raises the risk of lifelong dry eye
Recovery is usually straightforward, often with a protective cone for a short while and a follow-up check. If your dog is in obvious pain or the eye looks badly inflamed and it is out of hours, emergency vet advice is available.
Frequently asked questions
Is cherry eye painful for dogs?
The prolapse itself is often more uncomfortable and irritating than sharply painful at first, but left untreated it can dry out, get infected and become genuinely sore. Prompt treatment keeps your dog comfortable.
Can cherry eye fix itself?
Occasionally a very fresh prolapse settles briefly, but it nearly always recurs and does not truly resolve on its own. It needs a vet, usually a small operation, to put the gland back reliably.
Will cherry eye happen in the other eye too?
It can. Because it is often linked to a breed-related weakness affecting both sides, a dog who has had it in one eye may develop it in the other later. Keep an eye out and act early if it does.
Can I push my dog's cherry eye back in myself?
Please do not. The eye is delicate and you risk injury and infection, and the gland will not stay in place anyway. Book your vet, who can reposition it safely.
This isn't veterinary advice
We're professional dog groomers, not vets, so please treat this as friendly general guidance. If you're worried about your dog, or before acting on anything here, speak to your local vet. In an emergency, contact your vet or nearest out-of-hours clinic.
Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. We groom plenty of the flat-faced and long-coated breeds prone to cherry eye, and always work gently around the face and eyes. Book a careful, one-to-one groom.