Dog eye discharge: causes, treatments and when to call the vet

Updated 18/09/2023

Dog eye boogers - who’d have them? Well every dog on the planet (or so), as it turns out. Dog eye gunk is a fact of dog life. More often than not, it’s a healthy sign that your dog’s eyes are being flushed of the dust and dirt they’ve picked up during the day. Sometimes though, dog eye discharge can be a cause for concern, indicating something more serious than normal morning crust. So here, we explore some of the common causes of dog eye discharge (e.g. dog eye infections), treatments and prevention tips. If you’re welcoming a house sitter any time soon, be sure to share any info on your dog’s eyes so they’re cared for in the best way possible while you’re away.

Dog eye discharge: an expert’s opinion

We spoke to Dr Marc Abraham OBE - multi-award-winning veterinarian, author, broadcaster, and animal welfare campaigner - over on our community forum about dog eye discharge. 

Take a look below to explore his professional opinion on the matter, based on years of training and experience in veterinary practice.

“A small amount of eye discharge can be normal for dogs and cats of all breeds and crossbreeds; usually found in the inner corner of the eye, and made up of dried tears, oil, mucus, dead skin cells, and dust. 

This discharge is often more noticeable in the morning or after a long nap, is present in equal quantities in both eyes, and can be removed with a warm, damp cloth or cotton wool. 

Some breeds are more likely to have normal eye discharge, including flat-faced breeds and dogs with prominent eyes like pugs and Chihuahuas respectively, plus dogs with loose facial skin such as Bloodhounds. 

Issues arise when the discharge is accompanied by inflammation, pain, discomfort, third eyelid coming across, or your pet could be holding their eye closed, and/or the discharge is thick yellow/green pus, bloody, watery, or even just excessive. 

Eye problems, in one or both eyes, that exhibit some of these types of symptoms include foreign bodies, environmental allergies, corneal scratches or ulcers, dry eye (painful condition that occurs when a dog’s eyes don’t produce enough tears), or blocked/compromised tear duct, and should be seen, investigated, and treated by your vet ASA.”

When is dog eye discharge abnormal?

When talking about dog eye gunk, we need to be careful. Why? Well it’s important not to jump to conclusions - not all dog eye discharge is abnormal. Crusty or slightly goopy eye boogers in the morning are pretty normal for our pups - it’s just a sign that they’ve had a good night of eye flushing after a fun day of running about outside. The sort of gunk caused by dust, wind or a stuck eyelash is usually clear and there’s not a lot of it. You’ve probably experienced this yourself, so you’ll know there’s nothing to worry about. 

However, some types of discharge are definitely abnormal. Types of abnormal discharge include (but are not limited to):

• Green, yellow or pus-like eye gunk is not normal and could be a sign of a dog eye infection
•  Excessive tearing over prolonged periods
• Reddish eye discharge

 If you notice any of these types of discharge or other discharges that you suspect are abnormal, it’s really important you make an appointment with your vet to get your beloved fluffy family member checked over.

Common causes of dog eye discharge

Read on to learn about the causes of dog eye discharge:

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis in dogs refers to the inflammation of the lining of the eye, and can be pretty uncomfortable for our poor fluffy friends. Reasons for conjunctivitis flare-ups include bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, dry eye, allergies, injuries, foreign objects (e.g. grains of sand, dirt), tumors, birth defects and issues with the tear duct. If you’re worried your pooch might have conjunctivitis, along with eye discharge, they might also be blinking more than usual, display dog pink eye, squinting, plus they might be pawing at their eyes, or even keeping their eyes shut during waking hours.

There are various ways conjunctivitis is treated, all depending on what the cause is. To find out, get advice from your vet so that the best way forward can be judged by a professional. Common treatments for conjunctivitis in dogs include the prescription of antibiotic eye drops/ointments, eye washes, antihistamines, and sometimes surgery if there is an issue with the tear ducts.

Epiphora

Otherwise known as excessive tearing, epiphora, much like conjunctivitis, can be caused by a variety of issues. These include tumors, abnormal (e.g. ingrown) eyelashes, allergic reactions or corneal ulcers (see below for more on these). The result of epiphora is stained and sometimes smelly fur, and in the worst cases, infected skin. If you’re worried your four-legged buddy has this condition, be sure to make an appointment with your vet.

Dry eye

‘Dry eye’ (aka keratoconjunctivitis sicca) refers to a dog’s inability to produce enough tears. Dry eyes are uncomfortable for humans and fluffy friends alike, so it’s important to see your vet if you suspect your pup’s eyes aren’t as lubricated as they should be. How’d you know whether they’ve got dry eyes though? Well you might find that your pooch has sticky eye gunk, along with mucus and inflammation. While these can be symptoms of lots of other eye issues, consider whether your pup has experienced an injury near their tear-producing glands - this could be a cause of dry eye in dogs. Other potential causes of dry eye include the immune system attacking the tear glands, or hormonal problems (e.g. diabetes, hypothyroidism). While dry eye isn’t a dog eye infection in itself, if left untreated, it can result in inflamed eyes, corneal ulcers (see below for more on these) and even blindness. It’s up to your vet to assess how serious your pup’s dry eye condition is. Prescribed medications may include artificial tears, tear-stimulating eye medication or antibiotic eye drops (if an eye infection has developed). 

Corneal ulcers

Ulcers on your dog’s cornea can be caused by dry eyes. Healthy tears will lubricate your dog’s eye, but without these, the eyelid can scratch the surface of the eye when it opens and closes, resulting in ulcers. Along with dry eyes, the ulcers can also be caused by a corneal injury, issues with the eyelid (e.g. ingrown eyelash), or the introduction of a foreign object. If you’re worried your pooch might be suffering from corneal ulcers, symptoms include red eyes, watery eye discharge in dogs, light sensitivity (look out for squinting), rubbing the eyes, or a film over the eye. If you suspect that the watery dog eye gunk is a symptom of these ulcers, make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible. After your vet has assessed your poorly pup, they may be prescribed with antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or even eye surgery. Corneal ulcers can cause blindness if left untreated.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a serious and painful eye condition that is caused by increased pressure in the eye. Causes of glaucoma include (but are not limited to): genetic issues with the pet’s eyes, injury, tumours, severe eye inflammation, and hypertension. If you’re worried about whether your pooch has glaucoma, watch out for bulging eyes and watery eye discharge. The clear part (cornea) of the eyes can turn blue and/or cloudy. As affected pooches are in pain, they often do not allow owners to touch their eyes. Your vet should be heavily involved in your pooch’s glaucoma journey, prescribing medications and sometimes surgery.

Untreated glaucoma can lead to blindness. Do note that signs of glaucoma can develop gradually (chronic glaucoma), or very quickly (acute glaucoma). Acute glaucoma is an emergency, as blindness can occur very quickly. If you notice signs of glaucoma in your dog, contact a vet asap!

Breed issues

Sadly, some of our four-legged friends are more likely to suffer with eye issues than others, with some breeds producing more dog eye discharge than others, too. Why? Well dogs with flat faces have shallow eye sockets and bulging eyes. This can cause issues with tear duct conformation and tear drainage, along with eyelids that roll inwards or don’t close fully. Both of these variations can cause a lot of irritation and discomfort in the lash area. In some cases where the poor pup is suffering, surgery is recommended.

Other breeds prone to eye issues are those with loose facial skin (think Cocker Spaniels and Beagles) and sometimes have eyelids that roll outwards, or experience cherry eye. Dog eye gunk can be an issue in these circumstances. Treatments may include anti-inflammatory eye drops, antibiotic eye drops (if there is an eye infection) or even surgery.

Ways to prevent dog eye discharge and irritation

While some eye issues are unavoidable, there are a few things you can do to keep your pup’s eyes clean…

• Trim around their eyes. Pups with longer hair naturally tend to collect more dirt, dust and pollen than short-haired dogs. Keep the hair short to minimize any debris collection so that less of the stuff is dropping into your pup's eyes.
• Pet eye wash. If your pooch often gets irritated after certain walks and they’re secreting harmless boogers, one method of eye cleaning is to flush out their eyes by using an over-the-counter dog eye wash. 
• Keep irritants out of the way. Shampoos, flea treatments and soaps can irritate your pooch’s eyes, so avoid the eyes at all costs to dodge any unnecessary irritation.

How to clean dog eye discharge

While heading to your vet should be your port of call with any medical concerns, you’ll need to clean your poor pooch’s crusty or goopy eye boogers, either way. Don’t use your hands (to avoid any additional bacteria entering the eye) and don’t use anything particularly fibrous, link cotton balls - these could cause further irritation and infection. Instead, gently wipe away dog eye discharge and dog eye boogers with a clean, damp cloth and dog eye wash 

When to call the vet

Along with looking out for all the symptoms we’ve explored above, here’s a handy checklist on the signs of healthy eyes. This will help you decide whether it’s time to call your vet. And of course, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. So if you’ve got any concerns, double check with your vet to put your mind at rest.

• Pupils. They should be symmetrical and not positioned in different directions.
• Eye whites. They should be white, bright and crust-free. If your dog’s eyes are red, it’s abnormal
• Eye behavior. Your pup shouldn’t be squinting, closing their eyes during waking hours or pawing at them.
• Eyelids. The underside of the upper lids shouldn’t be visible. The lower lids (when gently pulled down) should be pink - not red or white.
• Dog eye boogers. A little crust or goop in the morning is normal, but excessive watering, tear-stained fur or colored discharge is a cause for concern.

Meet our veterinary expert, Jnanee

This article has been checked by veterinarian Jnanee Krishnasamy, BVSc (Massey). Dr Jnanee is a small animal veterinarian. She was born in sunny Singapore and spent her formative years there, before studying veterinary medicine at
Massey University. Since graduating from vet school, Dr Jnanee has worked in a variety of settings that include private practice, shelter medicine, and veterinary telemedicine. Due to her varied experiences, she is well-informed on many aspects of the veterinary industry!

Useful resources

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