Dog eye boogers? Gross!
That’s probably in the ballpark of your reaction when you first noticed eye boogers on your pooch. Once the squeamishness wears off, what is left is concern about whether they are normal and if not, how to get rid of them. You have come to the right place for all this information.
Eye boogers on dogs are not always normal and are sometimes a sign of serious conditions like eye infections. Let’s take a look at some more causes as well as what you can do for your dog including taking them to the vet.
Are Eye Boogers Normal For Dogs?
Eye boogers are sometimes normal for dogs but they usually point to more serious conditions causing irritation of the eyes.
It is very important that you make the distinction between the two possibilities as some of the serious conditions may require prompt intervention by a vet. To help you out, here are some of the most common normal and abnormal causes of eye boogers on dogs.
Normal Eye Discharge
The boogers could be as a result of crusts from normal eye discharge. You will notice this on your dog after a long nap or overnight sleeping. The crusts range in color from whitish to brown depending on how long they are left on the dog’s face.
With normal discharge, you won’t find other symptoms of eye disease on your dog like redness, discharge, and signs of vision problems.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is a condition where the conjunctiva which covers the dog’s eye gets irritated and inflamed. It is commonly caused by environmental irritants like dust or smoke. It could also be a manifestation of allergies to things like pollen.
The boogers in this case follow symptoms like redness of the dog’s eyes, itchiness, and excessive tearing.
Eye Ulcers And Infections
Your dog’s eye could be having a lot of boogers due to simple infections or more serious ones involving ulceration of the dog’s eye. With infections and ulcers, the boogers may form when discharge, like pus, dries up.
Here, the boogers are present throughout the day and not just when the dog sleeps. However, they are significantly more after the dog sleeps as the discharge gets to accumulate.
How Do I Get Rid Of My Dog’s Eye Boogers?
How you get rid of your dog’s eye boogers depends on the cause. However, if you suspect it is abnormal booger accumulation, the best thing that you can do for your dog is take them to the vet for a proper checkup and intervention.
Simple Wash With Warm Water
Simply washing the dog’s eyes with some warm water will do a lot whether the discharge is normal or due to an abnormal process like infection or irritation. The warm water does a great job of dislodging both the crusty and mucoid boogers.
The warm water may also offer some relief in case the boogers are associated with eye conditions that cause irritation. Just make sure the water is actually lukewarm and not hot.
You could also use a saline solution to wash the dog’s eyes as a method of removing boogers. To prepare this at home, just mix a teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water.
Eye Rinse
You could also get rid of eye boogers by doing an eye rinse. This comes in very handy if the boogers are as a result of irritation by things like dust, smoke, or foreign bodies. Clean water should do the trick in this case.
We, however, do recommend you to go for Nutri-Vet Eye Rinse Liquid For Dogs. What makes this the best eye wash for dogs is the presence of boric acid as an ingredient as it has antimicrobial effects. These will come in handy when dealing with boogers from eye infections.
Get Rid Of Allergy Triggers
Getting rid of allergy triggers is a fantastic strategy for dealing with dog eye boogers indirectly. This could include changing the dog’s diet or switching to hypoallergenic grooming products.
You could also address the environmental triggers through regular deep cleaning of your home as well as investing in an air filter.
Take The Dog To The Vet
If signs point to worrying causes of eye boogers in your dog, the first thing you should do is consult a vet. That way, your dog will get the care they most likely desperately need before things get worse for them.
How To Prevent Eye Boogers In Dogs?
The best way to prevent eye boogers in your dog is by implementing good care practices. Here are some of these that will make the world of a difference.
Keep Your Home Clean
One of the best investments you could make in this case is in an air filter. This is because most of the eye irritants that cause boogers are particles in the air.
It is also important to keep surfaces like shelves and window sills as well as carpets and upholstery clean and regularly dusted.
Healthy Diet
The dog’s diet plays a huge role in determining how strong their immune system is. A strong immune system will be capable of fighting many eye infections thus preventing excessive discharge and boogers.
A healthy diet in this case is one that is hypoallergenic, made with natural ingredients, and in the appropriate balance for your dog’s needs.
Keep Dog Accessories Clean
In addition to keeping your home clean, you have to regularly clean your dog’s accessories. These include their toys, dog collars, dog clothes, and even doggy goggles if they have a pair.
These accessories are notorious when it comes to harboring germs that later on cause infections in your dog including eye infections.
Regular Grooming
Regular grooming will also help prevent and get rid of eye boogers. The most important practices in this case are wiping the dog’s face. For this, invest in hypoallergenic, dog-friendly wipes. You can actually find some that are specifically formulated for use on the face and eyes
