Complete Guide To Dog Eye Health

When you first spotted your puppy or dog, you might have felt drawn in by her eyes. Shelter dogs, in particular, master the art of eye expression. We feel strong empathy for the dogs who gaze directly into our eyes as if to say, “Please love me!” Sometimes, we even choose our new canine family member based solely on that special look in their eyes. As with humans, dog eyes are the windows into their souls. This is one reason why maintaining excellent dog eye health is so important.

In addition to emotionally connecting us to our furbabies, their eyes serve as a vital organ. Dog eyes are sensitive and need to be cared for and paid close attention to. Here, we will explore what you need to know about dog eye health.

Dog Eye Basics

Even though we consider our dogs to be another member of the family, humans and dogs have different eye structures. There are a few misconceptions about dog eyes that we will clear up here, before delving deeper into dog eye health.

Myth 1: Dogs can’t see color.

Fact: They can see color, just not as vividly as most humans. To your dog, shades of blue may appear vibrant, while shades of red might be more subtle or even brownish. This is akin to being red-green colorblind; certain variations of reds and greens appear dull, while purples and blues appear bright.

Myth 2: Dogs have excellent vision.

Fact: Vision might just be the weakest of their senses. In fact, dogs are somewhat nearsighted compared to many humans. Yes, that means that you could have better vision than your pup. They do have a broader field of vision than us, topping off at a whopping 240 degrees, which is why she is able to see objects or animals that are almost behind her.

Myth 3: Dogs don’t see well at night.

Fact: Their night vision is astonishing. In fact, they see just as well as your feline friend even when it’s pitch black! Their retina allows in seven times more light than the human eye, which means they can see seven times more clearly than us at night. (1)

Maintaining Dog Eye Health

Fido’s eyes are not only remarkably beautiful and different from our own, but they offer us a crucial glimpse into their overall health. This is why it’s pertinent to keep their eyes clean and healthy from the start.

Cleaning

If you had a human infant, you would be noticing his eyes every day. You would clean any tears, mucus, or gunk out of them as soon as you observed it. Your dog’s eyes require that same level of care and attention. That’s because your four-legged’s eyes also communicate to you when he is struggling with allergies, a cold, a more serious illness, and when he’s perfectly healthy.

As soon as you perceive tears or build-up of any kind, follow these steps:

Grab a soft cotton ball.
Dampen it with warm (not hot) water. Make sure it is not soaking – a little dampness is enough.
Very gently clean his messy eye, always wiping from the inside corner outward.
Do not wipe his eyeball directly; keep the cotton ball on the external part of his eyes.
Use TruDog’s Refresh Me Eye Wipes to delicately clean your pup’s fur around the eye.
If the build-up, eye boogers, or mucus returns, call your vet to have him seen. (2)

Keeping your furbaby’s eyes and face clean may help him avoid infections and discomfort, and it will allow you to easily recognize if there is a medical problem.

Prevention

The best way to keep your canine companion’s eyes healthy is by preventing issues from occurring in the first place. In addition to being attentive and keeping her eyes clean, offering her a well-balanced, nutritious diet may help prevent eye problems down the road.

Feed her moderate amounts of beta-carotene. Once ingested, beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A and travels to the retina. Beta-carotene has a reputation for strengthening the retina, improving eyesight, and enhancing night vision. Where can you find beta-carotene? The easiest source is through carrots. However, lower levels of beta-carotene can also be found in vegetables including spinach and broccoli. Be sure to feed your dog carrots or beta-carotene in moderation, because too much vitamin A can be toxic. You may want to cut up a few carrots every other week. If she becomes gassy or her skin becomes tinted yellow, then decrease the amount you are feeding her. (3, 4)
Feed her a wholesome diet. TruDog’s FEED ME Beef, for example, is a premium raw superfood in freeze-dried form. It is nutrient-rich and supports your dog’s overall health.
Offer her supplements. Supplement her diet with TruDog’s IMPROVE ME. This eye health supplement supports healthy eyes for canines.

Common Dog Eye Problems

Unfortunately, sometimes our beloved canines face eye issues no matter what we do to care for them. Here are some common dog eye ailments and what to look for.

Important Note: If your dog displays any of the below symptoms, bring her to the vet as soon as possible. Prompt medical treatment may be necessary.

Conjunctivitis: This is more commonly referred to as “pink eye.” Symptoms of pink eye include a reddish, swollen, or uncomfortable eye.
Glaucoma: Usually more common in older animals, this can be a serious condition. Symptoms include discomfort, redness, tears, a prominent third eyelid, eye cloudiness, and dilated pupils.
Cataracts: Cataracts can cause similar symptoms as glaucoma, including eye cloudiness. It also tends to affect older dogs more than younger ones. Your vet will need to see her at the first sign.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS): This is often referred to as “dry eye.” As its name suggests, a dog with dry eye produces fewer than normal tears. This dryness can lead to more serious eye complications, so it’s necessary to bring any dog with dry eye to the vet as soon as possible. (5)

Your furbaby deserves to feel wonderful and enjoy radiant health. Taking great care of your dog’s eyes is an essential part of dog health care. Keeping her eyes clean, being attentive to any eye changes, and offering the best food possible may help prevent major eye problems from occurring. As with any unusual symptom, however, taking her to the doctor is your best bet in helping her cope with eye problems.

Sources:

Dog Eye Basics

Maintaining Dog Eye Health

Cleaning

Prevention

Common Dog Eye Problems

About Ani Lahiri

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