Dog eye discharge: what you need to know

Your dog’s at it again, giving you those puppy eyes for some extra treats. But wait a minute — do those eyes look a little gunky? Whether they’re morning eye boogers or something more serious, it’s important to take a minute to check out the color of your dog’s eye discharge to determine the underlying cause. We spoke to Dr. Emily Singler, VMD, to get a veterinarian’s perspective on what’s normal and when you should call your vet when it comes to eye discharge in dogs.

‍Why does my dog have eye discharge?

Several triggers can cause discharge from a dog’s eye according to Dr. Singler. “Many cases are caused by some type of conjunctivitis or eye tissue inflammation,” she explains. “Causes of the former include allergies, infections, irritation from foreign material and sensitivity from their eyes drying.”

What does it mean if my dog has green or yellow eye discharge?

Although it’s not always possible to tell the cause of the problem by the color, some green or yellow eye discharge cases are caused by an eye infection or conjunctivitis. You should contact your vet, as untreated eye infections can be serious and ultimately cause blindness, especially if an injury causes it. Other underlying problems like dry eye or auto-immune diseases may cause some ocular infections. It’s also important to note that cleaning the discharge off their eyes won’t solve the root problem, so be sure to call your vet or take your pup to the doctor as soon as possible if you notice green or yellow discharge.

What causes red eye discharge in dogs?

If you’re noticing red-brown stains around your dog’s eyes, it’s probably tear staining, not discharge. Pups who produce tears excessively or who don’t properly drain them are prone to these stains on their fur. Tear stains are common for dogs and not typically a cause for concern, but we still recommend discussing it with your vet.

If you think you’re seeing red or bloody discharge, take your dog to the vet immediately. This could be a sign of a serious eye issue or injury. According to Dr. Singler, sometimes the injury is to the eye itself and other times it’s the tissues around the eye. Dogs can sustain eyelid cuts, cornea scratches, penetrating foreign material and sometimes have one or both eyes pop out of their normal position, so it’s important to get them help immediately.

What does white eye discharge in dogs mean?

If your dog has white eye discharge, it could be due to allergies, dry eye or foreign materials on or near their eye. If your pup has allergies, you’ll likely notice watering, redness or swelling as well as white discharge.

Is there a home remedy for my dog’s eye discharge?

The short answer is no, there’s not a reliable home remedy for abnormal dog eye discharge. Although a warm washcloth can be used to wipe away eye boogers, they won’t completely disappear until you address the underlying cause. Your veterinarian will determine the best treatment method for your pup to have clear, booger-free eyes.

Let your veterinarian know if your pup is showing other symptoms, like eye redness, cloudiness or tissue swelling, or if they're squinting, holding an eye shut, pawing or rubbing at one or both eyes.

Treatment options for eye discharge and infection in dogs

If your dog has an eye infection, your vet will likely prescribe eye drops or ointments with antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory properties. Veterinarians will also recommend the right treatment plan for pups with eye injuries, which can vary depending on the specific case.  

“Treatment for injuries may include medication to treat pain, prevent infection and keep the eye lubricated and possibly surgery to treat more severe injuries,” Dr. Singler says. “Most dogs with eye injuries will need to wear an e-collar while in treatment and healing to prevent them from rubbing or scratching at their eye.”

If your dog has allergies, treatment is typically very simple: oral allergy medications and allergy injection options should help your pup. If their eyes are the only affected part of their body, your veterinarian may prescribe eye drops to treat irritation from allergies.

Remember: if your dog has an eye issue and needs to see a vet, Fetch Pet Insurance provides comprehensive coverage from diagnosis to recovery.