Dog Eye Discharge and Eye Boogers: What's Normal and When to Worry

What Your Dog's Eye Discharge Color Means

• Small amount of clear or brownish crust: usually normal. It's dried tears, oil, mucus and dust.^1,2
• Watery eyes (epiphora): too many tears or tears that can't drain. Causes include irritants, allergies, eyelid problems, blocked tear ducts, corneal injuries and glaucoma.^3,1
• Reddish-brown tear stains: caused by a natural pigment (porphyrin) in tears that turns reddish-brown on light-colored fur. On its own it's usually cosmetic.^1,6,3
• White or gray mucus: often a sign of dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), which needs treatment.^1,7
• Yellow or green discharge: a sign of inflammation, often from infection or dry eye, and sometimes from a body-wide illness. Your dog needs a vet visit.^1,2

Common Causes of Eye Discharge in Dogs

• Allergies, which cause watery, red, itchy eyes, often in both eyes^3,4
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)^3,8 See conjunctivitis in dogs.
• Dry eye (KCS), which causes thick, sticky discharge and red eyes. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, English Bulldogs, Lhasa Apsos, Pugs, Shih Tzus and West Highland White Terriers are at higher risk.^7,9
• Blocked tear ducts or an inflamed tear sac, which cause watering and discharge that keeps coming back^9,3
• Eyelid and eyelash problems: inward-rolling lids (entropion), outward-rolling lids (ectropion) and extra lashes that rub the eye^10,11,12
• Corneal ulcers and foreign bodies such as grass seeds^3,4 See eye ulcers in dogs.
• Glaucoma, a painful emergency that can cause watering, redness and a cloudy eye^3,5
• Face shape: flat-faced breeds often have tear overflow and staining because of prominent eyes and eyelid shape^3,13

How to Clean Your Dog's Eye Boogers

• Wet a cotton ball or soft cloth with lukewarm water and gently wipe along the lower lid without rubbing the eye.^2,4 Use a fresh one for each eye.
• Soften dried crusts with a warm, damp compress for a few minutes first.¹⁴
• Rinse with plain sterile saline eye wash if needed. Don't put contact lens solution in the eye.^14,15
• Keep the hair around the eyes short and the skin clean and dry to prevent irritation.^3,6
• Don't use human eye drops, soap or hydrogen peroxide near the eyes. Shampoo and soap can even cause a corneal ulcer.^16,3,17

What About Tear Stains?

Tear staining is common in light-colored dogs and flat-faced breeds and is usually cosmetic, but have your vet check for an eye problem causing extra tears.^3,6 No tear stain remedy works every time, and some over-the-counter products aren't backed by research. Some tear stain products have contained the antibiotic tylosin, which isn't FDA-approved for dogs; in 2014 the FDA told several makers to stop selling these products. Low-dose antibiotics for tear stains are no longer recommended.^3,18,6

When to See a Vet

• Yellow, green or thick discharge^1,2
• Discharge with redness, squinting or pawing at the eye^4,2
• Discharge that keeps coming back or is getting worse^2,9
• A sudden change in your dog's usual amount of discharge¹
• Mild, clear watering without pain, when the eye otherwise looks normal, can be watched for a day or two; if it continues, see your vet.¹

Your vet may do a Schirmer tear test, a fluorescein stain and an eye pressure check, and may flush the tear ducts.^3,7 See dog eye infections for more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for dogs to have eye boogers?

Yes. A small amount of clear or brownish crust in the inner corners, especially in the morning, is normal.

Why does my dog have so many eye boogers all of a sudden?

A sudden increase can come from allergies, an irritant, conjunctivitis, dry eye, a scratch on the eye or something stuck in it. See your vet, especially if there's squinting, redness or colored discharge. Only mild, clear watering without pain can be watched for a day or two.

What does green eye discharge mean in a dog?

Green or yellow discharge means inflammation, often from infection or dry eye. Your dog should see a vet.

Should I wipe my dog's eye boogers?

Yes. Gently wipe them away with a cotton ball soaked in lukewarm water, wiping away from the eye.

What can I give my dog for goopy eyes?

Clean the eyes with lukewarm water or sterile saline, but don't give eye medicine until your vet has found the cause. Some causes, such as ulcers, are made worse by the wrong drops.

How do I get rid of my dog's tear stains?

Keep the area clean, dry and trimmed, and have your vet check for an underlying eye problem. Avoid products containing antibiotics.

Is Dawn dish soap safe for my dog's eyes?

No. Detergents irritate the eye and can even cause a corneal ulcer. Use lukewarm water or sterile saline around the eyes.