Cherry eye is when the gland of a dog's third eyelid pops out of place, showing as a smooth pink or red bump in the inner corner of the eye. It is usually not painful at first but will not go back on its own. See a vet within a few days so the gland can be repositioned before it swells further.
If you have spotted a smooth red or pink lump sitting in the inner corner of your dog's eye, you are likely looking at cherry eye. It is one of the more alarming-looking eye problems a dog owner can find, but it is also one of the more recognisable once you know what to look for. Cherry eye is common in breeds popular across India, including Beagles, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, and Cocker Spaniels, and it usually shows up in dogs under two years old.
This guide explains what is actually happening inside the eye, how to tell cherry eye apart from other red bumps like eyelid growths or conjunctivitis, and exactly what to do next.
What is cherry eye?
Dogs have a third eyelid, a thin membrane that sits in the inner corner of each eye and helps spread tears and clear away debris. Behind that membrane sits a small tear-producing gland. In some dogs, the tissue that holds this gland in place is weak, and the gland flips forward and pops into view, appearing as a round, fleshy, red or pink swelling. Some vets call it a prolapsed gland of the third eyelid. Whatever the name, the gland itself is healthy tissue that has simply come loose, not a growth or an infection.
Cherry eye or something else? A quick comparison
| What you see | Likely cause | Severity | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smooth, round pink or red lump in the inner corner, rest of the eye looks normal | Cherry eye (prolapsed third eyelid gland) | Monitor | See a vet within a few days. It will not go back on its own. |
| Firm, irregular lump on the eyelid edge, may vary in size or colour | Eyelid growth or mass | Monitor | Vet check. Some growths need to be removed. |
| Redness across the white of the eye, watery or thick discharge, squinting | Conjunctivitis | Monitor | See a vet. This needs its own separate check from cherry eye. |
| Bump plus a painful, swollen, closed eye or sudden change in eye colour | Possible deeper eye problem | Urgent | See a vet the same day. |
Why does cherry eye happen?
The exact reason the supporting tissue weakens is not fully understood, but it is strongly linked to breed. Dogs with loose eyelid conformation or short muzzles are more likely to develop it, including Beagles, Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, and Boston Terriers, all breeds kept widely across Indian households. It typically appears in dogs under two years old and can affect one eye first, with the other sometimes following later. Genetics play the main role, so there is little an owner did to cause it.
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On its own, a fresh cherry eye is usually a Monitor rather than an Urgent case. The gland is not typically painful in the first day or two, and dogs often act completely normal. That said, it will not go back into place by itself, and the longer it stays exposed, the more likely it is to swell, dry out, or get irritated from rubbing. See a vet within a few days rather than waiting weeks. Move it to same-day urgent if the eye looks painful, your dog is pawing at it constantly, the gland turns dark or bleeds, or the eyelid will not close over it.
What to do if you notice a red bump in your dog's eye
- Do not try to push the gland back into place yourself. It rarely stays in and the attempt can cause more irritation.
- Stop your dog from scratching or rubbing the eye, using a cone or e-collar if needed.
- Take a clear, well-lit photo of the eye to show your vet or to run a quick severity check.
- Book a vet visit within a few days. Left alone, the exposed gland can dry out or stay chronically swollen.
- Ask your vet about surgical options that reposition the gland rather than remove it, since the gland helps produce tears for the eye.
If your dog's eye also looks red across the white or has discharge without an obvious bump, our guide on dog eye discharge covers those causes separately. A hazy or cloudy look to the eye itself is a different sign again, covered in our cloudy eyes in dogs guide.
The eye looks painful or stays closed, the gland turns dark red or purple, there is bleeding, your dog paws at it non-stop, or the eyelid will not close over the bump. These signs mean the gland or eye itself needs urgent attention, not a wait-and-watch approach.