Common Causes of Excessive Dog Eye Discharge Explained

1. Diet

One common oversight in pet care is not paying enough attention to a dog's diet. Feeding them too much food high in salt can lead to a significant accumulation of salt in their organs, causing severe internal heat. When dogs experience this, they often show symptoms like excessive tear stains and a buildup of eye boogers. If you opt for highsalt or preservativeladen dog food as a substitute, even if you're not keen on keeping a dog at home, it's best to choose a mild, natural dog food. Gradually introducing a more balanced diet can enhance the taste of the dog food and improve the dog's overall health.

2. Brachycephalic Dogs

Brachycephalic breeds, such as Pekingese and Pug, have shorter noses, which means their tear ducts are not as developed. This results in more severe tear stains and eye boogers compared to other dog breeds. If you're someone who prefers a more relaxed lifestyle, it might not be the best idea to adopt one of these breeds.

3. Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

The nasolacrimal ducts are responsible for draining tears. Inflammation can lead to duct blockages, preventing tears from being properly drained. This can cause tears to mix with debris and form eye boogers, leading to tear stains. If left uncleaned, these stains can become permanent. To address this, you may need to trim the hair around the eyes for cleaning and wiping. Afterward, allow the dog to grow back its hair. Additionally, switching to a natural dog food rich in omega3 fatty acids, like those containing deepsea fish oil, can help improve coat health and may eliminate the need for additional fish oil supplements.

4. Inherited Genetic Disorders in Dogs

Excessive tear production in dogs can be a result of inherited genetic disorders, primarily primary lacrimal hypersecretion. Dogs with this condition often have an abundance of eye boogers and tear secretions. Breeds with a history of such genetic issues should not be bred. There is no cure for this condition, but regular cleaning of the eyes can help manage symptoms. It's also important to avoid feeding these dogs overly salty foods, as this can exacerbate their condition without providing a cure.

5. Ear Influence

Many pet owners may wonder about the connection between ear issues and eye problems. The truth is, they are interconnected. The eyes and nose are part of the same system. Discomfort in the ears can lead to excessive tear production, which can result in unsightly tear stains and eye boogers.

While many dogs have an abundance of eye boogers, even those caused by illness are typically not severe. Pet owners should not worry excessively. For more information on why dogs have excessive eye boogers, you can read the article "What Causes Dogs to Have Excessive Eye Boogers?"