Vetaris Labs

Advanced ocular care. Designed for animals.

OcuVet is a preservative-free veterinary ocular lubricant developed around modern hydration science and advanced multidose delivery.

Explore OcuVet View the science
  • Dogs, cats & horses
  • Preservative-free
  • 10 mL
  • Veterinary use only
OcuVet preservative-free eye drops carton and 10 mL bottle, for dogs, cats and horses

Advancing animal health through better product science.

Vetaris Labs develops premium animal-health products by combining evidence-informed formulation, thoughtful delivery technology and modern product design.

Ocular health is our first platform. Every product that follows is held to the same standard: a clear formulation rationale, a delivery system built for the species, and honest communication of the evidence.

  1. CompanyVetaris Labs

    Canadian animal-health developer.

  2. First platformOcular health

    Tear-film hydration and ocular-surface care.

  3. Flagship productOcuVet

    Preservative-free ocular lubricant, 10 mL multidose.

  4. NextFuture platforms

    Further formulation and delivery programs.

OcuVet preservative-free eye drops, 10 mL dropper bottle with trehalose and sodium hyaluronate

OcuVet at a glance

Three hydration ingredients, chosen for the ocular surface, in a sterile solution with nothing added to preserve it.

  • Trehalose

    A naturally occurring disaccharide studied for its ability to support cells exposed to desiccating stress.

    3%

  • Sodium hyaluronate

    A highly water-binding ocular lubricant used to support hydration and tear-film stability.

    0.15–0.20%

  • Glycerin

    A humectant that supports hydration and lubrication of the ocular surface.

    0.5%
Preservative-free Phosphate-free 10 mL, approx. 300 drops

Composition reflects the current OcuVet specification. The product label is the authoritative source for the commercial formula.

Supporting tear-film stability

The tear film is only a few micrometres thick. When it breaks up too quickly, the ocular surface is exposed. Sodium hyaluronate holds water within the aqueous layer, and published veterinary research has measured its effect on how long the film stays intact.

Schematic cross-section of the tear film on the ocular surfaceLayers from outside in: a thin lipid layer, the aqueous–mucin layer in which sodium hyaluronate chains bind water, the glycocalyx, and the corneal epithelium.Lipid layerAqueous–mucin layerGlycocalyxCorneal epitheliumSodium hyaluronatebinds water withinthe aqueous layer
Schematic, not to scale. Layer thickness is exaggerated for legibility.
Published ingredient/formulation research — not an OcuVet clinical trial

0.15% sodium hyaluronate in healthy anesthetized cats

  1. 0.15% sodium hyaluronateOne drop in one eye; the fellow eye received saline as a control. 40 cats undergoing elective surgery.
  2. Tear-film supportTear-film breakup time was significantly higher in treated eyes than in saline eyes at every time point measured.
  3. Up to 75 minutes observedTear-film stability was maintained in treated eyes up to the 75-minute time point, under the study’s anesthetic conditions.

Study time points: baseline before anesthesia, T40 at the end of anesthesia, T75 and T120 minutes. Stability was maintained in treated eyes up to T75.

Madruga GM, Ribeiro AP, Martins LR. Effect of 0.15% sodium hyaluronate on tear film breakup time in healthy anesthetized cats. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2023;26(1):46–52. PubMed 36227708

Canine ocular-surface research

Two published canine studies of sodium-hyaluronate eye drops, shown with the study design that produced each number.

Related formulation — not OcuVet

Preservative-free cross-linked sodium hyaluronate in 19 dogs with dry eye

−55%

Mean global ocular clinical score at Day 30, compared with Day 0.

This study evaluated a different sodium-hyaluronate formulation and was not conducted using OcuVet. Open-label pilot without a control group; 2 drops per affected eye twice daily for 30 days.

Gard C, Cassagnes C, Muller S, Navarro C, Jahier B. Evaluation of a preservative-free, cross-linked sodium hyaluronate-based solution in dogs with dry eye: a pilot trial. Irish Veterinary Journal. 2023;76. PubMed 37798810

HA-containing tear replacement — not OcuVet

25 dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Dogs moved from a carbomer-based gel to an HA-containing eye drop. Mean scores on a 0–3 scale, before and after four weeks.

Conjunctival hyperemia score

2.121.26

Ocular discomfort score

2.110.93
These results were reported for a different HA-containing product and are not attributable to OcuVet.

Williams D, Middleton S, Fattahian H, Moridpour R. Comparison of hyaluronic acid-containing topical eye drops with carbomer-based topical ocular gel as a tear replacement in canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Veterinary Research Forum. 2012;3(4):229–232. PubMed 25653763

The bioprotective science of trehalose

Trehalose is a disaccharide made by organisms that survive near-complete drying. It has been studied for its bioprotective properties under ocular desiccating stress, where it is thought to stand in for water at cell membranes and proteins.

Published experimental dry-eye research has reported trehalose-associated improvements in ocular-surface epithelial integrity and changes in inflammatory and stress-associated markers.

Schematic of trehalose at a cell membrane under desiccating stressOn the left, a lipid bilayer under desiccating stress with disordered head groups. On the right, trehalose molecules sit between head groups, illustrating the water-replacement hypothesis of membrane stabilization.Under desiccating stressWith trehalose

  1. Desiccating stress

    Evaporation thins the tear film and exposes the surface.

  2. Cellular stress

    Epithelial cells lose water and structural stability.

  3. Trehalose

    Hydrogen-bonds with membrane head groups and proteins.

  4. Membrane & protein stabilization

    Structure is preserved while water is scarce.

  5. Ocular-surface support

    A better-protected surface under drying conditions.

Experimental animal-model research

Murine experimental dry eye, 2009

Topical trehalose was reported to protect against ocular-surface disorders, with suppression of epithelial cell apoptosis proposed as the mechanism.

Chen W, Zhang X, Liu M, et al. Experimental Eye Research. 2009;89(3):311–318. PubMed 19345212

Experimental animal-model research

Murine dry eye in a controlled environment, 2012

Trehalose eye drops were evaluated in mice whose dry eye was induced in an environmentally controlled chamber.

Li J, Roubeix C, Wang Y, et al. Molecular Vision. 2012;18:317–329. PubMed 22355243

Combination protocol — not OcuVet

Trehalose and HA in canine evaporative dry eye

Trehalose and hyaluronic-acid supplementation has been incorporated into published canine evaporative dry-eye treatment protocols. In a 2025 retrospective cohort, dogs with idiopathic evaporative dry eye received trehalose + HA drops together with topical tacrolimus or cyclosporine.

Reynolds BD, Whittaker CJ, Caruso KA, et al. Treating evaporative dry eye disease in dogs based upon tear film lipid-layer thickness: a retrospective cohort study. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2025 (epub). PubMed 40944321

Mean tear-film breakup time (TFBUT)

These dogs also received tacrolimus or cyclosporine, so the change cannot be attributed to trehalose and HA alone. The study did not use OcuVet.

Protection without traditional preservatives.

Preservatives keep multidose bottles clean by being toxic to microbes, and they can be hard on the ocular surface too. OcuVet leaves them out and relies on the container to keep the solution protected between doses.

Exploded view of the OcuVet multidose bottle: overcap, controlled-drop tip with non-return valve, air-compensation microbial barrier, and preservative-free reservoir 1Overcap 2Drop tip,one-way valve 3Microbialbarrier 4Preservative-free reservoir

  1. Protective overcap

    Shields the dispensing tip from handling and the environment between uses.

  2. Controlled ophthalmic drop

    A shaped tip releases a consistent drop, and a one-way, non-return valve closes behind it so solution cannot flow back into the bottle.

  3. Contamination-resistant air compensation

    Air that replaces each dose re-enters through a microbial barrier rather than through the tip.

  4. Preservative-free multidose reservoir

    Around 300 drops of sterile solution, protected by the container rather than by chemical preservatives.

Final claims must match the validated performance of the selected commercial container-closure system.

One ocular-care philosophy. Three species.

Dogs

Brachycephalic and prominent-eyed breeds live with a more exposed ocular surface.

Cats

A sensitive surface that rewards a gentle, preservative-free drop.

Horses

Large, exposed eyes that meet wind, dust and bright light every day.

Why OcuVet

Preservative-free

A sterile solution with no benzalkonium chloride or other traditional preservatives, in a multidose bottle.

Advanced hydration

Trehalose, sodium hyaluronate and glycerin, combined to hydrate and lubricate the ocular surface.

Veterinary ocular science

Ingredients chosen with reference to published veterinary and ophthalmic research, with its limits stated plainly.

Modern multidose delivery

Controlled drops from a contamination-resistant dispensing system designed for repeat use.

Made in Canada with imported components

Developed by Vetaris Labs in Ontario, for veterinary care in Canada.

Vetaris Labs Inc.
Ontario, Canada

For veterinary professionals

Clinic supply, product specifications and technical questions go directly to our team, not to a general inbox.

Contact the professional team Scientific references
  • Clinic and distributor supplyOrdering for practices and veterinary distributors in Canada.
  • Product specificationComposition, container-closure details and labelling on request.
  • Evidence summariesThe published research behind each ingredient, with study design and limits.

OcuVet

Advanced ocular lubricant

  • 10 mL
  • Preservative-free
  • For dogs, cats & horses
  • Veterinary use only
Shop OcuVet View scientific references
OcuVet preservative-free eye drops carton and 10 mL bottle, for dogs, cats and horses

Frequently asked questions

QIs OcuVet safe for daily or long-term use?
OcuVet is formulated without preservatives or phosphates specifically so it can be used as needed without the ocular-surface irritation associated with preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride in some other multidose drops. As with any ophthalmic product, use should follow your veterinarian's direction, especially for long-term or chronic conditions.
QHow many drops are in one bottle, and how long does it last?
Each 10 mL bottle contains approximately 300 drops. How long a bottle lasts depends on dosing frequency and the number of eyes treated; your veterinarian can advise on a schedule for your animal's specific condition.
QCan the same bottle be used across dogs, cats and horses?
OcuVet is formulated and labelled for use in dogs, cats and horses. As with any veterinary product used across multiple animals or households, follow good hygiene practice — avoid letting the dispensing tip touch the eye or fur — and your veterinarian's guidance.
QWhat makes OcuVet preservative-free, and is that safe in a multidose bottle?
Preservatives are traditionally added to multidose eye drops to prevent microbial contamination after the bottle is opened, but they can also irritate the ocular surface with repeated use. OcuVet instead relies on its container-closure system — a one-way, non-return valve at the drop tip and an air-compensation microbial barrier — to keep the solution protected between doses without chemical preservatives.
QHow does trehalose protect the eye's surface?
Trehalose is a disaccharide made by organisms that survive near-complete drying. Under desiccating stress, it's thought to hydrogen-bond with the head groups of cell membranes and proteins, standing in for water and helping preserve their structure when moisture is scarce. Published experimental research has reported trehalose-associated improvements in ocular-surface epithelial integrity and changes in inflammatory and stress-associated markers under dry-eye conditions — see The bioprotective science of trehalose and Scientific references for the specific studies.
QWhy can preservatives in eye drops be a problem for dogs?
Preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride are added to multidose eye drops to stop microbial growth once the bottle is opened. But with the frequent, long-term dosing that chronic dry-eye conditions often need, those same preservatives can build up on the ocular surface and contribute to irritation and inflammation — working against the reason the drops were used in the first place. That trade-off is why preservative-free formats, protected instead by the container itself, are often preferred for eyes that need regular drops.
QWhy might my dog's eyes get irritated from eye drops?
A few common causes: preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride, which can build up on the ocular surface with repeated dosing and cause stinging or redness; a product that isn't right for the underlying condition — for example, steroid-containing drops used on an undiagnosed corneal ulcer; an allergic or sensitivity reaction to an ingredient; or contamination from the dropper tip touching the eye or fur. Sometimes what looks like a reaction to the drops is actually the original condition progressing. If irritation is new, worsening, or your dog is squinting, pawing at the eye, or has discharge, see your veterinarian rather than troubleshooting on your own — those signs can indicate a condition that needs prompt attention.

Scientific references

The published studies referenced on this site evaluated individual ingredients, related formulations, or veterinary ocular-care protocols. Unless specifically stated otherwise, these studies did not evaluate OcuVet itself.

1Sodium hyaluronate in catsVeterinary Ophthalmology, 2023
Madruga GM, Ribeiro AP, Martins LR. Effect of 0.15% sodium hyaluronate on tear film breakup time in healthy anesthetized cats. Vet Ophthalmol. 2023;26(1):46–52. doi:10.1111/vop.13030.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36227708
2Preservative-free cross-linked HA in dogsIrish Veterinary Journal, 2023
Gard C, Cassagnes C, Muller S, Navarro C, Jahier B. Evaluation of a preservative-free, cross-linked sodium hyaluronate-based solution in dogs with dry eye: a pilot trial. Ir Vet J. 2023;76. doi:10.1186/s13620-023-00259-4.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37798810
3HA-containing tear replacement in canine KCSVeterinary Research Forum, 2012
Williams D, Middleton S, Fattahian H, Moridpour R. Comparison of hyaluronic acid-containing topical eye drops with carbomer-based topical ocular gel as a tear replacement in canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca: a prospective study in twenty five dogs. Vet Res Forum. 2012;3(4):229–232.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25653763
4Trehalose + HA in canine evaporative dry-eye managementVeterinary Ophthalmology, 2025
Reynolds BD, Whittaker CJ, Caruso KA, Irving WM, McCarthy PM, Smith JS. Treating evaporative dry eye disease in dogs based upon tear film lipid-layer thickness: a retrospective cohort study. Vet Ophthalmol. 2026;29(2):e70079. Epub 2025 Sep 12. doi:10.1111/vop.70079.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40944321
5Trehalose experimental dry-eye researchMolecular Vision, 2012
Li J, Roubeix C, Wang Y, et al. Therapeutic efficacy of trehalose eye drops for treatment of murine dry eye induced by an intelligently controlled environmental system. Mol Vis. 2012;18:317–329.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22355243
6Trehalose ocular-surface and apoptosis researchExperimental Eye Research, 2009
Chen W, Zhang X, Liu M, et al. Trehalose protects against ocular surface disorders in experimental murine dry eye through suppression of apoptosis. Exp Eye Res. 2009;89(3):311–318.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19345212
7Equine dry-eye backgroundPubMed 11397288
Background reference on tear-film deficiency in horses.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11397288