How To Clean Your Dog’s Eyes
If you’re constantly concerned about cleaning your dog’s eyes, it’s probably because you notice too much secretions inside or around the eyes. The first thing you should do is make sure this “dirt” is not being caused by a medical problem.
Regardless of what your dog’s eyes look like, they should always remain clean. Some dogs tend to have more dirt than others. To these, especially, we must pay more attention; but we mustn’t neglect dogs whose eyes don’t look so dirty.
In any case, while it’s true that many dogs simply have excessive eye flow, it could also be a sign of something more serious. If, along with the secretions, you see redness, plenty of bumps and/or inflammation, you should go to the vet; especially if there is bleeding, as this could be a sign of an eye infection or some other serious disorder.
Steps to Clean Dog Eyes
If there is no medical problem, cleaning the dog’s eyes can be done at home without any problem. To remove general dirt from the eyes, gently wipe the edge of the eyes with a clean gauze soaked in saline solution.
Eye tissues made specifically for dogs can also be used, but are generally not needed. In any case, it is important to clean the entire eye, but never directly the surface of the eye, ie the eyeball.
If there is dirt or debris directly inside the dog’s eye; what you need to do is rinse with an eye wash.
To wash your dog’s eyes, place the container with the eyewash or saline near the eye, but never inside, and squeeze the container gently so that the liquid comes out. The container should be tilted down as this will ease the outflow of liquid and will drag dirt from the eye.
As this can be stressful for the dog, stay calm and give a reward when it’s over. If it is difficult to do this task of cleaning your eyes; you can go to a canine hairdresser or even the veterinarian and have them take care of it.
The ideal time to wash the dog’s face and eyes is at bath time, but it is not always possible to wait. Cleaning the eyes is a very simple process and the frequency with which it should be done has not been established. Just watch your dog and clean his eyes whenever necessary.
Tear stains on fair skin
If the dog’s coat is white or too light, the animal may be susceptible to tear stains. These blemishes occur when fluid buildup in the eyes discolors the hair under them, leaving them brown or red.
Breeds with Poodles, Cocker Spaniels or Shih Tzus are susceptible to excess moisture in their eyes; because their thick fur often irritates the eyes. It’s important to get rid of these stains as quickly as possible, as they can be a breeding ground for bacteria if they stay wet too long.
If routine cleaning with a damp cloth does not remove stains, there are solutions specifically designed for this condition. You can also make a homemade cleanser to remove tear stains. Mix equal parts of cornstarch and hydrogen peroxide and apply the solution to the dog’s fur, without letting it come into direct contact with the eyes.
If this solution is not enough, mix boric acid and cornstarch and also avoid contact with the dog’s eyes. Allow the mixture to dry for a few hours and then rinse well with warm water.
The best way to avoid these tear stains and the risk they involve is prevention. There are many products on the market to prevent tear stains from forming. Consult your veterinarian about some specific products, depending on your dog’s needs.
