Have you ever noticed some gunk around your dog’s eye and wondered if that was normal for your pooch to have? Dog’s get eye boogers, sometimes it seems like they never go away, but for most dogs this is common. Eye boogers are just discharge from the eye caused by a few different factors and usually not a cause for concern!
What Are Eye Boogers?
Most dogs have eye boogers because it is their bodily response to getting dust or dirt out of their eyes, completely normal! During the day your dog’s eyes will catch different kinds of debris so it’s natural for their eyes to combat this. Everytime your dog blinks, their eyes release tears and discharge to protect against irritants.
The most common causes of eye boogers are:
Allergies
Dogs can have allergies just like humans that cause them to have a physical reaction like their eyes watering, sneezing, and coughing. This causes the eye discharge we see if they are exposed to some common allergens like dust, pollen, grass, etc. Some breeds like Boston Terriers and Pugs are more prone to allergies. Ask your vet about treatment for your dog’s allergies and try flushing their eyes with over-the-counter eyewash if they become irritated.
Pink Eye
Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is caused by bacteria that inflames the eyes. If your dog has pus-like or clear eye discharge along with excessive redness, they most likely have pink eye. Watching for these symptoms, as well as crust, squinting, or pawing at the eyes will tell you if they have this condition. Take them to the vet to retrieve treatment, but also make sure to wash your hands afterward since this is contractible to humans!
Glaucoma
This condition occurs when the eye is under pressure causing inadequate eye drainage. Primary glaucoma causes fluid to get backed-up in the eye. Secondary glaucoma is when trauma impacts the eye, blocking drainage.
Dogs like Cocker Spaniels and Poodles are more predisposed to this condition, as well as older pups. Symptoms include: excess blinking, cloudy eyes, vision loss, dilated pupils, and eye bulging. Contacting your vet ASAP is best so they can help relieve the pressure.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS)
This condition is simply known as dry eyes. It occurs when tear glands are unable to produce enough tears because of infection or trauma. Symptoms include: inflammation, excessive blinking or swelling, and yellow discharge. Get your pooch to the vet if you notice these symptoms as KCS can cause vision loss.
Epiphora
This condition is opposite of the last, look out for excessive teary eyes. Overflowing tears causes excess wetness, brown stains under the eyes, a bad odor, and irritated skin. It is more noticeable on a lighter coat, but if you notice brown discharge around your dog’s eyes, take them to the vet for treatment.
Helping Your Pup’s Eye Boogers
Keeping the hair around their eyes trimmed will help resolve irritation in their eyes. Using caution around this area with shampoo, medication, and allergen is important. Try out some dog eye wipes to help with irritation and tears. Be sure to be on the lookout for these common causes of eye boogers as it could lead to something more serious down the road!
