Being a dog parent comes with many challenges. Beyond all, you have to be attentive to your dog’s needs and observant about its physical and mental state. One of the most important things that many wonder about is how to soften dog eye boogers.
In general, there are five different kinds of eye discharges that you may find on your dog. While some of them might be absolutely harmless, there are some eye discharges that you must treat with care. These might be warning signs since they are not normal. This might necessitate diagnostic methods, including x rays, Schirmer tear tests, or blood tests.
Do you have a specific question about the softening dog’s eye boogers? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Here's what we'll cover:
Why does my dog have eye boogers?
Eye boogers in dogs may be caused due to several conditions. While some tears that form a crust and may appear brown are more or less typical, some medical causes may lead to eye boogers formation. Conjunctivitis or pink eye may lead to eye discharge and are generally caused by a bacterial infection, allergy, or in some cases, tumors.
Epiphora is another condition that is better known as watery eyes. The eye duct cannot function properly, which leads to excessive tearing. This leaves crusty residue once the tears dry up. In some cases, dog eye boogers may also indicate an underlying dog injury, which might need medical attention.
Reasons for puppy eye boogers situation
The reasons why your puppy may have eye boogers are pretty similar to that of adult dogs. However, it is essential to understand when puppy eye boogers are not normal or need medical interventions. Like the human eye, dog eyes also need lubrication, so booger formation may be expected under more circumstances than not.
However, it might not be a good sign if you suddenly notice excessive gunk or boogers in different colors. You will notice behavioral changes in your dog, which might include excessive blinking, pawing at the eyes, or trying to rub eyes.
Types of eye boogers in dogs
Before you can safely distinguish between a normal booger and not, it is vital to understand the various types of boogers that appear in dogs. While many a dog has eye boogers, they generally fall in one of the following categories:
Why dog eye boogers are black?
Black boogers or reddish-brown boogers around the inner corners of the eye are common in most dogs. This dog eye crust is generally formed because the tear contains a pigment called porphyrin that turns reddish-brown, brown, or black when exposed to air. This is generally not a sign of worry if your dog has no prior problems. However, in case of excessive black discharge or goop, take your dog to the vet immediately.
Why does my dog have green eye boogers?
Green or greenish-yellow boogers are indicative of an eye infection. You will see that your dog’s eye might have turned reddish or have prominent red veins. Redness and discomfort, along with green boogers, are tell-tale signs of eye infection.
The infection may be caused by another disorder or might be a problem in isolation that has weakened the defense of your dog. If you see a green booger and suspect an eye infection, take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
What do white/yellow eye boogers mean?
White or yellowish discharge occurs when your dog is suffering from a condition called keratoconjunctivitis sicca or dry eye. This is a condition when the dog’s immune system attacks itself and, in turn, destroys the tear-producing glands.
Since the dog now has fewer tears, it is compensated by the body producing more mucus to provide lubrication for the eyes. However, mucus cannot perform the same functions as tears do, leading to painful ulcers for corneal pigmentation. This is a serious condition and has to be treated immediately.
How to clean dog eye boogers?
Now that you have a good idea about dog boogers, it is essential to understand how to clean dog eye boogers. The dog eye crusty build-up can be annoying for them and must be dealt with. You can try a dog tear stain removal solution in this regard.
There are a wide variety of these products available in the market, and they are a safe way to remove stubborn gunk in the corner of your dog’s eye. Along with these, there are also tear stain remover combs that are equally effective.
Besides, it is also essential to keep your dog’s eyes moist and lubricated, especially if it has a dry eye condition. You can try a pet eyewash, but remember to consult your vet first. You may check out this explanatory video on cleaning boogers:
How to soften dog eye boogers?
Before removing dog eye boogers, you might feel the need to soften them. This can easily be done with an eyewash or contact lens saline solution and cotton balls. You simply have to soak the cotton balls in the saline solution and hold it on your dog’s eyelids for some time.
This will quickly soften the booger, and you will be able to take it off in no time at all. However, vaseline for dog eye boogers is not prescribed as a safe way to soften the boogers since it may cause an allergic reaction or be too harsh on your dog’s eye.
How to clean puppy eyes for the boogers?
For cleaning boogers on your puppy’s eyes, you should follow the same steps as mentioned above. You may flush dogs’ eyes with an eyewash for best results. Whatever the case, never use your fingers in this regard as it may lead to an infection or further worsen the issue.
Now that you know about dog eye boogers and how to clean them, there’s absolutely no need to worry about boogers. Just give your pet the best care!
Thanks for the blog graphics: Canva.com
Thanks for the blog graphics: Canva.com
Doghint.com is a participant of several affiliate programs. The list includes (but not limited to) the following: VigLink, Refersion, ShareASale, and Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Doghint.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All published articles are meant for informational purposes only and not substitute the professional veterinary consultation.
