How to care for your dog’s eyes? Plus, DIY dog eye care tips

Medically reviewed by Dr. Catherine Nicolaou, DVM.

Is your dog scratching his eye or is bumping into things?

Have you ever wondered if that thing under your dog’s eyes is tear stains, an eye infection, or an injury? Are they normal or do you need to visit the vet?

The best way to ensure dog eye care is to catch vision disorders early and consult a veterinarian right away.

First things first, how do you spot if your dog has an eye problem?

What causes eye infections in dogs?

How to check your dog’s eyes at home?

• Are there any changes in the eye itself? The eyes (eyelids, pupils…) should look the same.
• Eyes should be bright with no crusting formed (In case of any redness, visible haziness or swelling – consult a vet)
• Is there a change in colour or excessive discharge? A grey discharge is usually normal, but a Yellow or green discharge isn’t.
• Is your pet showing signs of discomfort or irritation?

Read on to learn more about vision care in dogs and how you can make your furry friend more comfortable.

Dogs’ eyes are subjected to a lot more grime and dirt than human eyes. To help your pooch’s vision – ensure proper grooming (keep long hair, shampoo etc. out of their eyes) and watch for signs that may indicate an eye problem, like pawing or rubbing.

What causes Dog eye boogers?

Dogs often experience eye discharge because of dust or fur getting into their eye. A watery discharge from an eye is often a sign of a foreign body, like an eyelash, while a pus-like eye discharge could indicate a serious infection.

When tears drain at the corner of the eye, they may result in stains or eye boogers.

Eye discharge is normal until it is not. There are tell-tale signs to check eye issues:

• Excessively dry/watery eyes
• Increase in eye discharge or colour (bloodshot eyes)
• Rubbing or pawing at the eyes
• Excessive blinking

Always consult your vet to diagnose the cause as if untreated some problems may result in vision loss.

Some breeds are prone to dog eye discharge. Breeds that have a short nose and large round eyes, Pugs/Boxers, tend to discharge more. Breeds with loose facial skin, like cocker spaniels, beagles, Saint Bernards, and some terriers, are more prone to eyelids that roll outward, as well as cherry eye, a condition that occurs when a gland in the eyelid falls out of position.

How to Clean Dog Eye Boogers?

Wipe them away with a clean tissue or cotton ball. In case the discharge has hardened to form a crust, wash it with a cotton ball to first soften and then remove the build-up. You can also use a veterinary eye cleaning product to combat dog eye discharge — just make sure it doesn’t contain any alcohol.

Remember not to use your eye drops as eye drops for dogs.

Allergies, infection— Common Causes and Treatments of Eye Discharge in Dogs

1. Allergies  —  Like humans, dogs can also exhibit an allergy to certain things. This may result in an itch in the eyes (or eye discharge).
2. Conjunctivitis  —  Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding the eye and eyelids. It may be caused due to virus, bacteria, or even allergies. The most common symptom of conjunctivitis is redness of the eyes. Other signs that your pet may be suffering from conjunctivitis are excessive tearing, eye pain, and squinting.
3. Epiphora (“excessive tearing”)  —  caused due to abnormal eyelashes, inflammation, allergies, corneal ulcers, tumours etc.
4. Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) a.k.a. “dry eye”  —  A sticky eye discharge could point to dry eye, a condition in which there’s a failure to produce adequate tears. The symptoms may include mucus and inflammation – due to distemper, an injury in the head near a tear-producing gland etc.
5. Glaucoma  —  This condition is caused by excessive pressure in the eye and can be spotted in a few ways, including a bulging eye or eyes, cloudy eyes, and sometimes tearing.

Is your dog experiencing some of the above-mentioned eye problems or exhibiting signs of discomfort? Please visit your vet for a professional opinion on dog eye care without any delay.

Age-Related Vision Loss in Dogs

Our furry companions bring so much joy to our lives, and as they age, it’s natural to want to keep them happy and healthy. Just like us, some senior dogs might experience vision loss. This can be worrying, but understanding the signs and common causes can help you navigate this change with your pup.

One of the most frequent vision problems in older dogs is nearsightedness. This means familiar objects in the distance become blurry, making walks and playtime a little trickier. This nearsightedness often stems from changes in the lens of the eye, like thickening or cloudiness. Other culprits behind vision loss can include glaucoma (damage to the optic nerve), cataracts (cloudy lens), and even high blood pressure.

So, how do you know if your dog might be struggling to see? Watch out for these signs:

• Bumping into furniture or walls
• Hesitation to make eye contact
• Difficulty finding toys or treats they easily spotted before
• Appearing confused or disoriented
• Startling more frequently
• Increased anxiety or clinginess
• Cloudiness in their eyes
• Reluctance to jump or climb stairs
• Avoiding going up and down stairs altogether
• Physical signs like redness or swelling in the eyes

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to schedule a visit with your veterinarian. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve your dog’s quality of life, even with vision loss.

Natural Foods that are good for your dog’s eyes

Ever wonder what tasty treats can keep your doggo’s eyes bright and seeing squirrels even further away? 

Remember, just like us humans, dogs need certain nutrients to keep their eyes in tip-top shape. So, ditch the dog biscuits and whip up some delicious dishes with these eye-mazing ingredients:

• Blueberries: Packed with antioxidants, these tiny blue bombs fight free radicals that can damage those precious peepers. Imagine your pup spotting a tennis ball from across the park – that’s blueberry magic!
• Carrots: Rich in beta-carotene, the stuff that turns carrots orange, they convert into vitamin A, essential for healthy retinas. Plus, who doesn’t love a crunchy carrot chomp?
• Sweet potatoes: Another beta-carotene powerhouse, sweet potatoes are a delicious way to keep your pup’s vision sharp. Plus, they’re loaded with vitamins and fiber, making them a total health treat.
• Salmon and fish oil: These fishy friends are swimming with omega-3 fatty acids, which can help with eye inflammation and dry eyes. Just remember, moderation is key, as too much fish can cause tummy troubles.
• Eggs: Yolks are a natural source of lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that protect the eyes from sun damage. Scramble some eggs for your pup (sans spices, of course) and watch their eyes light up (literally and figuratively)!

But remember, woof-tastic food is just one piece of the puzzle. Regular vet checkups, and plenty of playtime are all crucial for keeping your pup’s vision healthy. So, feed them right, play fetch under the shade, and watch their eyes shine bright with joy!

Connect with Dog with Blog on Facebook Instagram Twitter

What are dog tear stains, and how do you deal with them?

Those rusty reddish-brown streaks running down from the inner corners of your dog’s eyes aren’t dirt, and they aren’t blood. They’re tear stains, and on a white Pom or a cream Shih Tzu they show up like a marker pen.

The colour comes from porphyrin, an iron-rich pigment your dog’s body sheds through its tears (and through saliva, which is why some dogs get the same rust tint on the paws they keep licking). When tears sit on light fur and meet air and daylight, the porphyrin oxidises and turns that tell-tale reddish-brown.

Why some dogs stain far more than others

A little tearing is normal. Heavy, constant staining usually comes down to how a dog is built. Flat-faced, shallow-eyed breeds drain tears poorly, so the tears spill onto the fur instead of down the throat. Several of India’s most popular apartment dogs fit this exactly: Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Pugs, Pomeranians and Maltese. Light-coated indies show it too, simply because the stain has somewhere to show.

India piles on its own triggers. Dust, heat and seasonal allergens push up tear production, and so does the hair that grows into the eyes on long-coated breeds.

When a tear stain is a vet visit, not a cosmetic one

Mild staining you’ve always seen is usually just cosmetic. Treat these as red flags and call your vet:

• a sudden jump in tearing or staining
• yellow or green discharge, or any smell
• redness, squinting, or pawing at the eye
• one eye clearly worse than the other

These can point to a blocked tear duct, an eye infection, an ingrown eyelash (entropion) or an allergy. None of those get fixed with a wipe.

How to clean and reduce tear stains safely

• Wipe the area twice a day with a cotton pad and plain lukewarm water, or a vet-approved tear-stain wipe. Wipe gently, don’t rub.
• Keep the hair around the eyes trimmed short. A groomer can do this safely (see our dog grooming tips).
• Offer fresh water daily in a clean stainless-steel bowl rather than plastic.
• Dry the fur after wiping. Damp fur stains faster and can grow yeast.
• Skip the internet hacks. Hydrogen peroxide, makeup remover and antibiotic powders near the eye can do real harm. Anything medicated, including the tylosin supplements sold for stains, is a vet’s call, not an over-the-counter fix.

The stain itself rarely bothers the dog. The day it suddenly does is your signal to get the eye looked at.

Dog tear stains: quick FAQ

Are tear stains harmful to my dog? The stain itself isn’t. The constant moisture can cause mild skin irritation or yeast if the fur stays wet, and a sudden increase can signal an underlying eye problem.

Can I remove tear stains permanently? Not with cleaning alone if the cause is anatomical. You manage them. Reducing them for good means fixing the root cause (a blocked duct, allergy or ingrown lash, diagnosed by a vet).

Why does my white dog have rust-coloured paws too? Same pigment: porphyrin in saliva. Constant licking of one spot leaves that rusty tint, and if it’s new it’s worth a vet check of its own.