Q&A for How to Clean Gunk from Your Dog's Eyes

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How can I treat my dogs eye discharge at home?

Beverly Ulbrich
Dog Behaviorist & Trainer
Beverly Ulbrich is a Dog Behaviorist and Trainer and the Founder of The Pooch Coach, a private dog training business based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a Certified CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator by the American Kennel Club and has served on the Board of Directors for the American Humane Association and Rocket Dog Rescue. She has been voted the best private dog trainer in the San Francisco Bay Area 4 times by SF Chronicle and by Bay Woof, and she has won 4 "Top Dog Blog" awards. She has also been featured on TV as a dog behavior expert. Beverly has over 18 years of dog behavior training experience and specializes in dog aggression and anxiety training. She has a Master of Business Administration from Santa Clara University and a BS from Rutgers University.

Beverly Ulbrich

Dog Behaviorist & Trainer

Expert Answer

Clean it off with a warm washcloth. Using a warm washcloth can feel really good to your dog, especially if you've done it their whole life so they're used to the process.

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Question

How often should you clean your dog's eyes?

Beverly Ulbrich
Dog Behaviorist & Trainer
Beverly Ulbrich is a Dog Behaviorist and Trainer and the Founder of The Pooch Coach, a private dog training business based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a Certified CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator by the American Kennel Club and has served on the Board of Directors for the American Humane Association and Rocket Dog Rescue. She has been voted the best private dog trainer in the San Francisco Bay Area 4 times by SF Chronicle and by Bay Woof, and she has won 4 "Top Dog Blog" awards. She has also been featured on TV as a dog behavior expert. Beverly has over 18 years of dog behavior training experience and specializes in dog aggression and anxiety training. She has a Master of Business Administration from Santa Clara University and a BS from Rutgers University.

Beverly Ulbrich

Dog Behaviorist & Trainer

Expert Answer

Consider cleaning your dog's eyes every day, like when you wake up in the morning or go to bed at night. It should only take a few minutes but can have a large impact on your dog's health.

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Question

Is it normal for an Australian Shepherd to have booger-like stuff near the eyes?

Community Answer

Yes. Many dogs have eye discharge that can form "boogers." If they smell strongly, start to form in the dog's eyes, or the dog seems to have tears running down its face, contact your vet.

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Question

My dog has been bitten on the eye, how do I clean it?

Ap3

Community Answer

If your dog has been bitten on or around the eye, you need to take him to the vet. They can check to make sure your dog's eye is not permanently damaged. They will also flush the wound to prevent infection.

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Question

My 7-year-old pup had an injury to his eye. I got eye drops from the vet, but after one week he has a hard black substance stuck to his eyeball! What is this?

Community Answer

That could be sign of an infection. Call the vet immediately and tell them what's going on and ask if you should cease administering the drops.

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Question

My dog has lots of dried discharge around her eye. How do I clean it off without pulling the hairs out or hurting her?

Community Answer

Just grab onto the gunk and slowly pull it off while holding her head. Just use your hands and go slowly and be careful.

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Question

How do I clean gunk out of my dog's eyes?

Community Answer

Do not use your bare hands. It is recommended to use a cotton bud. And, you should take your dog to see the vet, as eye gunk is never a good sign in dogs. The vet should give you some eye-drops to make it better and you'll need to apply this according to the vet's instructions.

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Question

Should I try to clean under the eyelids with a cotton bud by going into the eye socket?

Community Answer

No! It could leave fibers in the eye and cause abrasions under the lid and on the eyeball.

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