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My dog has dry eye. Does she need a special diet or different kibble?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Female | spayed | 5 years and 2 months old | 17 lbs

My dog might have dry eye. I have a check up with the vet on the 13th. Does dry eye require a diet change? Or can my dog still be fed kibble? Please explain, thanks!

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Anna M., DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 2nd, 2017

Hello, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Dry eye is a condition where the tear glands are not adequately producing enough tears to lubricate and protect the eye. This is completely unrelated to the diet that Chloe eats, so feel free to keep her on her current food unless your vet has another reason to change her diet! Your vet will diagnose dry eye using a "Schirmer tear test", which is a special strip of paper that allows us to measure how much tear production is present. Once confirmed, dry eye is treatable with a prescription eye ointment. Hope this helps.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Stephanie Echols, DVM
Veterinarian
Dry eye is an autoimmune condition and not caused by a diet. You can continue with her current diet. Dry eye requires lifelong eye medications so be sure to make your recheck exam. Good luck and kisses to Chloe!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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