Tips For Caring For Your Dog's Eyes

Dogs have a lot of natural ways of communicating with their owners. One way that dogs communicate is through their eyes. If you own a dog, you've probably felt a tug at your heartstrings once or twice when it gave you one of those famous puppy eyes. Dogs have a high-quality vision, and if their eyes are not taken care of properly, they can become severely impaired.

The first step to cleaning your dog's eyes is to examine the common eye diseases and symptoms that accompany them. 

Common Eye Issues In Dogs

There are a number of common eye issues that can occur in dogs, and some of them can be quite dangerous. Here is a list of some of the most common dog eye issues:

 

• Corneal ulcer
• Dry eye
• Puncture wounds
• Eyelid trauma
• Conjunctivitis
• Cataracts
• Corneal lacerations (cuts or scratches to the surface of the eye)
• Glaucoma

 

Symptoms Of Eye Issues In Dogs

Here are some of the most common symptoms of eye issues in dogs.

 

• General discomfort
• Cloudiness or a yellow/greenish discharge
• Inability to open the eye
• Pawing at the eye or face
• Squinting
• Rapid blinking
• Bloodshot or tearing eyes

 

It is important to seek veterinary care for your dog if you notice any of these symptoms, as eye issues can appear less severe than they really are. 

How To Care For Your Dog’s Eyes

Trim their hair- When a dog has long hair, it can get tangled around their eyes and cause them to scratch at their faces. This can lead to skin infections, and scarring-trimming their hair will help prevent it from happening.

Trim their nails- When dogs have dirty nails, it creates a breeding ground for bacteria which can cause infections in the eyes when they scratch. 

Schedule regular checkups- It’s important to take your dog for regular checkups at the Vet to get your dog’s eyes checked because sometimes things can happen without being noticed. It’s possible that he could have an infection or something else wrong with his eyes that is not easily noticeable. 

Regular cleaning- Cleaning your dog's eyes helps avoid the build-up of gunk, dirt, and other debris that can cause irritation and infection. If your dog is a swimmer or works outdoors, make sure to wash his or her eyes with a saline solution. This will help flush out any irritants that may be present in their eyes.

Close car window while driving- To avoid your dog poking its head out of the window, always open your car window just enough to let in fresh air. Traveling at speed with your dog's head outside the window can cause their eyes to become dry and irritated. When your dog sticks his head out the window of your car, flying debris or insects will cause damage to his eyes.

There is nothing more comforting and joyful than having a dog in your life. Our affection for our fluffy friends must extend to caring for their health, and eyes as well.

If you are concerned about the health of your dog's eyes, please consult your veterinarian.

 

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