Eye discharge is a common problem for some dogs. It can be a sign of anything from infection to glaucoma to allergies.
Have you ever woken up to find your furry friend’s eyes crusted over with that weird gunk? Yeah, me too It’s not exactly the morning greeting we hope for, but it happens to the best of doggos! As a long-time dog parent who’s dealt with more eye boogers than I care to admit, I’ve learned a thing or two about treating dog eye discharge at home
My Cavalier King Charles used to get the worst eye gunk, especially during allergy season. After countless vet visits (and bills!), I started exploring home remedies that actually work. And guess what? Many of them are probably sitting in your kitchen cabinet right now!
Is That Eye Goop Normal or Something to Worry About?
Before diving into remedies, let’s figure out if your pup’s eye discharge is just normal doggy stuff or something that needs attention.
Quick rule of thumb
- Clear, occasional discharge (especially in the morning) = Usually normal
- Colored (yellow/green), thick, or constant discharge = Might need vet attention
Dr. Joanna Woodnut, a veterinarian, explains: “When your dog’s eyes are healthy, they should have a tear film that keeps them moist and protects them from dust and debris. However, discharge or wetness at the inner corner of your dog’s eyes could indicate a problem.”
Common Causes of Dog Eye Discharge
Your pup’s goopy eyes could be due to several things:
- Allergies – Just like humans, dogs can react to pollen, dust, or even your fancy new air freshener
- Blocked tear ducts – Super common in flat-faced breeds like Pugs and Shih Tzus
- Breed-related issues – Some breeds just produce more tears (looking at you, Maltese!)
- Infections – Bacterial or viral infections need proper treatment
- Foreign objects – Sometimes a bit of dirt or an eyelash is causing irritation
- Dry eye – When your dog doesn’t produce enough tears naturally
- Environmental factors – Wind exposure (like sticking their head out the car window) can cause temporary irritation
What Eye Discharge Color Tells You
The color can give you important clues:
- Clear discharge: Usually allergies or environmental irritants
- Crusty morning discharge: Normal eye function (like our “sleep” in the morning)
- Red/brown tear stains: Common in light-colored dogs, caused by tears oxidizing
- Yellow or green discharge: Potential infection that might need vet attention
When to Skip the Home Remedies and Call Your Vet ASAP
While home remedies are great for minor issues, some symptoms mean it’s time to get professional help:
- Thick yellow, green, or smelly discharge
- Red, swollen, or obviously painful eyes
- Squinting, excessive blinking, or pawing at the eyes
- Cloudy film over the eye
- Discharge that doesn’t improve after 48 hours of home treatment
Trust your gut – if something seems seriously wrong, don’t wait!
How to Properly Clean Your Dog’s Eyes Before Treatment
Before trying any remedy, you need to gently clean the discharge:
- Make a simple saline solution: Mix 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt with a cup of warm distilled water
- Use a clean cotton ball or gauze (never reuse between eyes!)
- Gently wipe from the inner corner outward
- For crusty buildup, hold the damp cotton against it for a minute to soften first
- Never touch the eyeball directly – just the surrounding area
For severe crusting, you might need to clean every 30-60 minutes initially to prevent hardening.
7 Effective Home Remedies for Dog Eye Discharge
1. Saline Solution Flush
What you’ll need:
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup warm distilled or filtered water
- Cotton balls or gauze
How to use it:
Mix the salt and water thoroughly until dissolved. Use a clean cotton ball for each eye, wiping gently from the inner corner outward. For extra cleansing, you can drip a small amount directly into the eye using a sterile eye dropper.
This is my go-to method because it’s gentle yet effective for most types of discharge. Plus, everyone has salt in their kitchen!
2. Chamomile Tea Compress
What you’ll need:
- 1 chamomile tea bag
- Hot water
- Small bowl
How to use it:
Steep the tea bag in hot water for 5 minutes. Let it cool completely (this is important!). Hold the tea bag gently over your dog’s closed eye for about 5 minutes. You can also dip cotton balls in the cooled tea and apply them to the eye area.
Chamomile has natural soothing properties that can help with inflammation and irritation. My dog actually enjoys this treatment – it seems to relieve any itchiness!
3. Coconut or Castor Oil
What you’ll need:
- Organic, unrefined coconut oil OR castor oil
- Clean cotton ball
How to use it:
Apply a tiny amount to a clean cotton ball and gently wipe your dog’s eyelids (not inside the eye). Both oils have anti-inflammatory properties that can help with dry eyes and crusty discharge.
This works wonders for dogs with chronically dry eyes!
4. Goldenseal Infusion
What you’ll need:
- 1/4 teaspoon goldenseal powder
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
How to use it:
Pour boiling water over the goldenseal powder and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain thoroughly, add the salt, stir, and let cool completely. Apply to the eye area with a cotton ball three times daily.
Goldenseal is great for treating yellow, mucus-y discharge as it has antimicrobial properties that help fight infection.
5. Eyebright Herb Solution
What you’ll need:
- 1 teaspoon dried eyebright herb
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
How to use it:
Make an infusion by pouring boiling water over the eyebright. Cover and steep for 15 minutes, then strain carefully. Add salt, stir, and let cool completely. Apply to the eye area three times daily.
Eyebright is especially helpful for allergies and irritation, as it helps dry up excess mucus.
6. Witch Hazel (Alcohol-Free)
What you’ll need:
- Alcohol-free witch hazel
- Cotton pads
How to use it:
Apply witch hazel generously to the eye area (not in the eye) with a cotton pad as needed. Witch hazel helps restrict mucus secretion and soothes irritated skin.
This is particularly effective for dogs with red, irritated skin around their eyes from constant discharge.
7. Colloidal Silver
What you’ll need:
- High-quality colloidal silver (I recommend Sovereign Silver for its small particle size)
- Cotton pad
How to use it:
Apply around the eye area using a cotton pad according to package directions. Never put directly into the eye.
Safety note: While many pet owners swear by colloidal silver, there’s limited scientific evidence for its benefits, and some evidence suggests potential harm with regular use. The FDA advises against using colloidal silver products. I’ve included it because many dog owners report success with it, but please check with your vet first!
Preventative Measures to Reduce Eye Discharge
Beyond treatment, these habits can help reduce eye discharge in the first place:
Regular Grooming
- Keep fur around the eyes trimmed short, especially for long-haired breeds
- Wipe eyes gently each morning to prevent buildup
- For flat-faced breeds, clean facial folds regularly to prevent bacteria growth
Diet Support for Eye Health
- Add omega-3 fatty acids to your dog’s diet (fish oil supplements work great!)
- Incorporate antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries and carrots
- Ensure adequate hydration to support tear production
Environmental Adjustments
- Use air purifiers to reduce allergens in your home
- Consider hypoallergenic bedding for your pup
- Avoid exposing your dog to cigarette smoke, which can irritate eyes
My Personal Experience
When my Cavalier started getting those gross green eye boogers every spring, I panicked and rushed him to the vet. Turns out, it was just seasonal allergies! The vet bills added up quick, so I started using the saline wash daily during allergy season, followed by a chamomile tea compress if his eyes looked irritated.
It worked so well that I barely need to visit the vet for eye issues anymore. For maintenance, I just wipe his eyes with a warm paper towel each morning to keep the crusties away.
Final Thoughts
While these home remedies can work wonders for minor eye discharge, remember that they’re not a substitute for veterinary care when it’s truly needed. If your dog’s symptoms persist beyond a couple days or if they seem to be in pain, please see your vet!
Dog eye goop might not be the cutest part of pet parenthood, but it’s definitely a normal one. With these simple home remedies, you can keep those puppy eyes clear and bright without breaking the bank on vet visits for every little crusty.
Have you tried any of these remedies with your dog? I’d love to hear what worked for you in the comments below!
Disclaimer: I’m not a veterinarian, just a fellow dog parent sharing what’s worked for my pups. Always consult with your vet before trying new treatments, especially if your dog has pre-existing eye conditions.
Steps for Applying Your Dog’s Eye Medication
Treatment for eye problems sometimes requires eye drops or ointments. To make them easier to administer, try these tips:
- Have the eye drops or ointment close at hand, then clean away any discharge around your dogs eyes with warm water and a cotton ball.
- For eye drops, tilt your dogs head back a little. Then, resting your hand on your dogs head so you dont hit its eye with the dropper if the dog moves, squeeze drops into the upper part of your dogs eye.
- To apply eye ointment, gently pull down your dogs lower lid, creating a pocket for the ointment. Rest your hand on your dogs head. That way, if the dog moves, you wont hit the eye with the ointment applicator. Then squeeze a ribbon of ointment into the dogs eye.
- Gently open and close the lids for a few seconds to help spread the ointment or drops evenly.
Preventing Eye Problems in Dogs
First, take a good look at your dogs eyes. The pupils should be the same size and your dogs eyes should be bright, crust-free, with white around the iris. There should be little or no tearing, no squinting, and the inner eyelids shouldnt be visible. Gently pull down your dogs lower lids: they should be pink, not red or white.
If you see tearing, discharge, tear-stained fur, cloudiness, a third eyelid, closed or squinted eyes, or pupils of unequal size, something could be wrong. Its time to give your vet a call.
To help keep your canine companions eyes bright and healthy, keep long hair out of its eyes (take your dog to a groomer or use round-tipped scissors to trim the hair); keep irritants like shampoos, soaps, and flea medicine away from the eyes; and, finally, watch for signs that may indicate an eye problem, like redness, pawing, rubbing, and squinting.
Top 7 Effective Home Remedies for Conjunctivitis in Pets
FAQ
How can I treat my dog’s eye infection without going to the vet?
A warm or cool compress may help relieve itching or pain. Use a cone (Elizabethan collar) to keep your dog from pawing at their eyes. Dog eye wash or saline solution can clear your dog’s eye of debris and irritants, but is only a temporary solution until your pet can be examined by your veterinarian.
What to give dogs for eye discharge?
- Antibiotic drops or ointments.
- Steroid or immunosuppressant drops or ointments.
- Pain medications.
- Surgical correction of deep ulcers, eyelid abnormalities, cataracts, or other conditions.
- Eye drops or ointments to control pressure in the eye.
- Artificial tears.
How to treat a dog’s gunky eye at home?
A non-medicated, sterile saline rinse, for example, may provide them with some temporary relief from any pain but remember, this will not cure the problem. A rinse of this kind will help flush the eye out a little. You could also use a dog-specific gentle eye cleaning wash.
Why is there so much gunk coming out of my dog’s eye?
If your dog has a sticky eye that constantly produces a thick mucus-like substance, it might be suffering from a condition called canine dry eye.Jul 8, 2022