How To Properly Clean Your Dog’s Eyes
Whether it’s allergies or tear stains, sometimes the area around your dog’s eyes needs to be tended to. Knowing how to properly clean your dog’s eyes will make the experience easier on both you and your pet.
Before anything else, make sure your pet’s tear stains are caused by excessive tearing and not bacterial infection. If your pet has never had a staining problem before or the problem suddenly gets worse, be sure to check with your veterinarian.
The most important part of the process is making sure both you and your pet are relaxed. If one of you is stressed, both of you will be. Reassure your pet, be gentle, and offer treats or kibble as a reward. Make sure your pet is relaxed before you start cleaning and take a minute to calm your pet down if he or she gets excited or anxious. Police yourself, too. If you start getting tense, take a deep breath and relax your muscles.
Equal parts white milk of magnesia and peroxide, mixed with enough corn starch to make a paste, should take care of red or brownish stains. Apply the paste, let it dry, then carefully wipe away. This process may take a few days. If the gunk is stuck on, try holding a warm, damp rag against the area for a few minutes to loosen it before wiping away.
An easier option may be eye wash. Ask your veterinarian for the brand they recommend. Apply eye wash carefully and make sure you follow the instructions on the bottle. Excessive build up may require a little more work, but remember to always wipe, never scrub. Scrubbing will only irritate the eye further and cause even more stains.
To prevent the build up from forming, keep the fur around your pet’s eyes trimmed and wipe the area with distilled water daily. Diet may also play a role, especially if your pet is prone to bacterial infection. Ask your vet for the best way to alter the pH’s of your pet’s tears; he or she may recommend adding a calcium supplement to your pet’s diet or adding a little bit of vinegar to drinking water.
Regular cleaning will keep your dog looking healthy and feeling happy. Be sure you consult your vet if you notice any unusual changes, and remember to keep the experience stress-free.
Here’s to ‘Keeping em Clean and Cute!’