If you see this in your dog’s eyes, go to the vet immediately

You don't usually have to worry about boogers in the eyes of dogs. However, in some cases, its presence can have more serious consequences, so it's a good idea to be on the lookout.

There might be different reasons why a dog has eye boogers in its eyes. We have collected the most common cases to know when to contact a vet about discharge in your dog’s eyes.

Simple eye booger

In general, there is no need to worry about boogers in the eyes of dogs. Most often, it is made from dried tears while the animal sleeps – just like in humans. Like us, tears are essential for the health of dogs’ eyes, as they provide the cornea with an adequate supply of oxygen and help to remove dirt from the surface of the eye.

Tears spill out of the tear duct and sit in the corner of the dog’s eye. The tiny droplets evaporate, leaving a thin little crust. They are usually translucent, light in colour and completely harmless.

As long as the dog’s eyes are not red and you don’t see any signs of pain (such as squinting, rubbing of the eyes, sensitivity to light), you are probably dealing with a non-health hazard.

Allergy or irritation

Various allergies and irritations can increase tear production, leading to more and larger boogers. If you notice that your pet’s eyes are stickier than usual when they wake up, or there is discharge even if they’ve only had a short nap, you may have good reason to suspect allergies or other irritations.

If dust or pollen has got into your dog’s eyes, more tears and therefore more boogers is a natural phenomenon. It helps to keep the animal’s eyes clean and healthy. You should seek professional advice if the tearing does not stop, if the dog’s eyes become red, or if there is a discharge thicker than tears.

Conjunctivitis

As with humans, dogs can develop conjunctivitis, which is caused by an infection or allergy. The disease attacks the translucent membrane covering the eyeball, and the most characteristic symptom is a pinkish-reddish lesion of the eyes.

Another common symptom is extreme tearing and a large amount of boogers. It is important to note, however, that unlike harmless boogers, conjunctival discharge is greenish, yellowish or cloudy – not the usual colour and consistency.

If you see any of the above symptoms on your pet, contact your vet – especially if your dog is a frequent sufferer of the illness. Regular conjunctivitis can be a sign of a weakened immune system, which can lead to further diseases. Sometimes what looks like an eye infection can be a symptom of a bigger problem elsewhere in the body.

Tear stains

When the dog’s tears dry and evaporate, sometimes they leave more than just boogers behind. Dogs with a light-coloured coat may have red or brown “tear stains” on the face starting from the inner corners of the eyes. Fortunately, these spots are usually completely harmless and are only an aesthetic problem for the owners. The discolouration is caused only by a substance called porphyrin in the tears of dogs, which turns reddish-brown when exposed to air for prolonged periods.

If you’re bothered by the appearance of spots, minimise them by wiping the area with a lukewarm wet cloth a few times a day. It may also help to trim the hair around the animal’s eyes a little shorter.

Dry eyes

There is a condition called dry eye. This happens when a dog’s immune system attacks the tear glands. Dry eyes can also occur in humans and can be easily treated with eye drops. However in the case of dogs dogs, the disease is very serious and can cause blindness if not treated properly.

With dry eyes, the eyes become red and painful due to the lack of tears. As there are fewer tears, the eyes try to compensate by producing more mucus, which leads to more boogers. The colour of the boogers in this case is usually a whitish-grey colour.

If you notice a lot of white-grey mucus accumulating around your dog’s eyes, see your vet as soon as possible. In particular, you should not waste time if you notice other symptoms such as redness or signs of pain.

How to get rid of boogers?

Treatment prescribed by a veterinarian and the use of appropriate products are necessary to eliminate eye infections and boogers caused by serious eye problems.

For other boogers that are not a sign of a health problem, the best thing you can do is to regularly clean the area around your pet’s eyes with a wet cloth or cotton pad. There’s not much you can do to prevent boogers from forming while asleep, apart from proper eyecare – and you don’t have to. Its presence is a sign of healthy eye function.