Is It Normal for Dogs to Have a Lot of Eye Discharge?

Eye boogers in dogs can be a normal occurrence, but they can also signal underlying health issues. So, how can you tell if your dog's eye boogers are a cause for concern? This article delves into this question to help you understand the nuances.

Is It Normal for Dogs to Have Thick Eye Discharge?

Let's start by understanding how eye boogers form in dogs. These are a brown, sticky substance that accumulates at the corners of a dog's eyes, consisting of tears mixed with debris and bacteria. While a small amount of eye boogers is a normal part of a dog's physiology, it's important to note that dogs produce tears to lubricate and protect their eyes. However, due to narrow tear ducts, these tears may not drain properly, leading to the gradual buildup of eye boogers.

Some dog breeds are more prone to eye boogers, such as Bichon Frises, Poodles, and Shih Tzus. These breeds often have narrow nasolacrimal ducts, which means tears don't drain as easily, leading to more noticeable tear stains. Age is another factor; puppies tend to have more eye boogers because their tear ducts are not fully developed during this stage. Environmental factors, like poor air quality or exposure to allergens, can also contribute to increased eye discharge.

Beyond these physiological reasons, dogs may produce more eye boogers due to pathological conditions, such as inflammation, conjunctivitis, keratitis, blocked tear ducts, scleritis, and uveitis.

If you notice your dog has an excessive amount of eye boogers, it's advisable to clean them away promptly and regularly inspect your dog's eyes. If the eye boogers persist, it may indicate a health issue. In such cases, check for any foreign objects or other abnormal symptoms in your dog's eyes. If the issue is solely due to excessive eye boogers without other symptoms, it might be related to heat or a blocked tear duct. Dogs that consume highfat or highcalorie diets are more susceptible to heatrelated issues. Adjusting their diet to be more bland and ensuring they have plenty of water can help. If the problem persists, it's best to take your dog to a veterinarian for a thorough examination to identify the cause and receive appropriate treatment.

For dog owners of breeds like Bichon Frises, Poodles, and Shih Tzus, there are preventive measures you can take to reduce eye boogers. Begin by providing thorough daily care to keep your dog's eyes clean. Consider using specialized eye cleaning products and regular eye hygiene routines. Also, maintain a diet that's low in fat and high in water to prevent heatrelated issues. Keep your dog's living environment clean to avoid irritants. Additionally, regularly trim facial hair to prevent it from irritating your dog's eyes.

In summary, while thick eye boogers in dogs are often a normal physiological occurrence, an increase in eye boogers should not be overlooked. If this symptom persists, it's crucial to seek veterinary attention promptly to ensure your dog's health and wellbeing.