Caring for your dogs eyes is an important part of his grooming. Dogs eyes are sensitive just like humans, and need to be taken care of. Different breeds of dogs require different type of care, due to the difference in eye types. There are many different types of eyes, so you may want to speak to your vet for specific instructions.
Your dogs eyes should be cleaned on a regular basis, as dogs are susceptible to many of the same eye conditions that are common in humans, including sties, allergies, and infections. If a dogs eyes are healthy, a clear mucus secretion is normal and should be wiped away with a soft-damp cloth. If the secretion is yellowish or bloody, your dog should be taken to the vet right away.
Your dog does not have a safe, effective way of keeping its eyes clean. Rubbing against carpeting or furniture, or trying to remove buildup with paws that have nails, are ineffective and unsafe ways to keep this critical area clean. You have to provide this important part of his health care. During your weekly health check, position yourself in good light and look closely at your dogs eyes.
Keep all hair out of your dogs eyes since scratches to the cornea (the clear membrane across the surface of the eye) can result from contact with hair. Trim the hair using only blunt nosed scissors, cutting parallel to the edge of the eyelid. This is especially important where the skin folds near the eyes in breeds like Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, and Maltese.
Keep eyes clear of mucus at all times. Infections are often caused by bacteria that overgrow on mucus. Use a sterile eyewash or eye wipes to keep eye area clean. Be sure to watch your dog if he is running through grass or wooded areas as something may get in his eyes and can cause irritation or infection.
Apply a protective ophthalmic ointment under the top lid to protect the eyes before bathing, facial cleanings, and insecticide treatment. Even shampoos that are advertised as tearless can irritate if too much gets in the eyes or if it is not rinsed out soon enough.
Tear staining is a common problem with particular breeds of dogs for example in Bichons and Cocker Spaniels, and can get unsightly if not taken care of. Tears are bactericidal, which means they kill the bacteria that can cause infections of the eye. Normally, tears flow across the surface of the eye and quickly drain through the tear duct. This discoloration at the corners of the eyes is caused by normal tears that spill out and lay on the surrounding hair. For breeds that tend to have tear or saliva stains, you could clean hair in affected areas at least weekly with a tear stain remover product which are available from most vets or pet stores.