You should wipe your dog's eyes daily, especially if they're a flat-faced breed (Pugs, Shih Tzus) or have long fur, to remove dirt, dust, and discharge, preventing buildup and infections; use a clean, damp cloth or dog-specific wipe for each eye, and consult your vet if you see redness, excessive discharge, or discomfort, as this indicates an underlying issue.
Weekly Cleaning: For dogs with minimal eye discharge and no history of eye issues. Daily or Every-Other-Day Cleaning: For breeds prone to tearing or dogs with frequent discharge.
If your dog's eyes have dried discharge or mucus around the corner, or on the surface of the eye, it means it is time to consider some localised cleaning to maintain your dog's eye hygiene. Remember, a morning wash of our face can be refreshing but dogs can't do the same on their own!
Dogs produce tears to keep their eyes moist and healthy, but when excess tears combine with surrounding particles, they can dry out and form crusts. While occasional eye boogers are part of normal tear drainage, frequent or unusual discharge could indicate a bigger issue.
How to Clean Your Dog's Eyes. Wipe Away the Gunk: Moisten the cloth or cotton pad and gently wipe from the inner corner of the eye outward. Be gentle; you don't want to poke or put pressure on those precious peepers. Make It a Habit: Add eye-cleaning to your regular routine.
The goop or crust should be easy to remove with a warm, damp towel or a dog eye cleaning wipe. Your dog's eyes shouldn't be red, and they shouldn't show any signs of eye discomfort, such as rubbing, squinting, blinking, or sensitivity to light.
Yellow or Greenish Discharge: If you see yellow or green discharge, especially with redness or discomfort, call the vet; this is typically a sign of eye infection in dogs. Eye infections can happen on their own, but they can also be the result of another condition, like dry eye or corneal wounds.
6 dog breeds prone to eye problems
The primary cause of such a symptom is wind, dust, dirt, and pollen allergies. Mold spores and mites are also responsible. A few dogs could develop several benign tumors on eyelids that rub the eye's surface. The result is discomfort accompanied by discharge for the dog.
I use Bright Eyes Tear Stain Wipes for my patients, and we have great success with that product. Hopefully, your main takeaway has been that proper grooming and maintenance of your dog's face (keeping hair out of the eyes) is the primary treatment for tear stains.
A small amount of light brown crusts is normal and usually seen in the morning, right after a dog wakes up. Your dog should have about the same amount of this eye crust every day, and their eyes should be clear, open and free of discharge the rest of the day.
Regularly use eye wipes around your dog's eyes
Good pet care involves cleaning the stains from around your dog's eyes regularly. You can use pre-moistened wipes on a daily basis to get rid of the dust, dirt and gunk that contribute to the brown stains around their eyes.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
A: Over-bathing your dog can strip their skin of essential oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and other skin problems. Therefore, it's essential to determine your dog's bathing frequency based on their specific needs and consult with your veterinarian if you have any concerns.
It's crucial to regularly clean your dog's eye crust and tear stains to prevent such infections since this reduces the risk of bacteria and fungi setting up camp in those sensitive spots.
The "heartbreak breed" refers primarily to the Great Dane, nicknamed this due to their affectionate nature combined with a relatively short lifespan (around 7-10 years) and susceptibility to serious heart conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), making losing them particularly difficult for their devoted owners. Other giant breeds like Irish Wolfhounds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Saint Bernards also face significant health challenges, including cancer and heart disease, often earning them similar sentiments from owners.
7 Dog Breeds Prone to Eye Conditions and Vision Problems
Signs & Symptoms of Vision Problems in Dogs
Immediate veterinary care is strongly recommended if your pet's eye discharge is thick, yellow, green, or bloody; if your pet is squinting, holding an eye closed, or showing signs of pain; or if swelling, redness, or cloudiness develops.
Clean your dog's eye
Gently hold your dog's head and use a clean cotton ball or a soft cloth to gently wipe away the crust from the eye area. Start from the inner corner of the eye and move outwards and gently wipe.
Pigmentary keratitis is a condition in which black or brown pigment is deposited on the cornea of a dog's eye. It's usually caused by chronic inflammation or diseases of the eyelid. Dark pigment may also appear after a corneal ulcer heals.
To groom dog eye tear stains, you can try to bath the area with a professional pet tear stain remover product. After bathing, clip the fur around the eyes. This will eliminate the problem altogether for dogs who are producing too many tears as a result of excess fur surrounding the eyes.
There are several simple ways to treat dogs for tear staining:
Home Remedies for Mild Dog Eye Discharge
To create a saline solution, mix 1/4 teaspoon of salt with one cup of boiled water and allow it to cool (Nall, R. & Sullivan D., 2024). Use a clean cloth or cotton ball soaked in the solution to wipe away any discharge.