How to Safely Clean Your Dog's Eyes at Home

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-08-14

Key Takeaways

• Distinguish Normal Discharge from Pathological Signs: Normal eye discharge in dogs is typically clear to slightly brownish, minimal, and does not cause redness, swelling, or discomfort. Thick yellow, green, or gray discharge (pus) indicates infection or inflammation, and red conjunctiva, squinting, or excessive blinking are strong indicators of pain or disease requiring veterinary attention.
• Prioritize Veterinary Consultation for Ocular Emergencies: Ocular emergencies such as bulging eyeballs, cloudy or hazy corneas, blood in the eye, inability to open the eye, sudden vision loss, or significant changes in eye size/shape necessitate immediate emergency veterinary care, as these can signify glaucoma, ruptured globes, or foreign bodies.
• Utilize Appropriate Cleaning Agents and Techniques: For routine cleaning of normal discharge, use only plain warm water or a sterile saline solution specifically formulated for ophthalmic use on a soft, clean cloth or sterile gauze. Never use human eye drops, contact lens solutions, soaps, shampoos, hydrogen peroxide, or alcohol-based wipes, as these can cause corneal damage or severe irritation.
• Adhere to Strict Cleaning Protocols to Prevent Complications: Clean gently from the inner corner of the eye outward, using a fresh section of cloth or a new gauze pad for each wipe and for each eye to prevent cross-contamination. Avoid rubbing the eyeball directly or applying excessive pressure, and never attempt to forcibly remove dried crusts; instead, soften them gently with a warm compress.
• Recognize Signs Mandating Veterinary Intervention: Seek veterinary care within 24 hours for any signs of infection (yellow/green discharge), corneal injury (squinting, visible scratch), foreign body, eyelid swelling, or if discharge persists or worsens despite gentle home care for more than three days. Home cleaning is palliative and does not address underlying pathology.

If your dog has crusty eye boogers, a little tear staining, or some discharge in the corner of the eye, you can usually clean it safely at home with the right technique and the right supplies. Most routine eye gunk is normal buildup of tears, dust, and dead cells. But before you reach for a wipe, stop and look closely. If your dog's eye is red, swollen, painful, or producing thick yellow or green discharge, that is not a cleaning problem. That is a medical problem, and home cleaning will not fix it.

The single most important rule is this: never put anything into your dog's eye that was not made for eyes, and never scrub at the eye itself. You are cleaning the skin and fur around the eye, not the eyeball. If your dog flinches, yelps, paws at the eye, or squints, stop immediately. Pain means something is wrong.

Is This an Emergency?

Some eye problems are urgent. If you see any of the signs in the first row of the table below, do not wait to see if cleaning helps. Go to an emergency veterinarian now.

{
 "type": "triage",
 "title": "Urgency triage by severity of signs",
 "tiers": [
  {
   "tier": "danger",
   "label": "Emergency, go now",
   "signs": [
    "Eye is bulging out of the socket, the colored part of the eye looks cloudy or hazy, the eyeball looks blue or white, there is blood in the eye, the dog cannot open the eye at all, or the dog is crying out and pawing at the face"
   ],
   "action": [
    "Seek in-person emergency care immediately",
    "Do not clean the eye",
    "Do not give any medication"
   ]
  },
  {
   "tier": "danger",
   "label": "Emergency, go now",
   "signs": [
    "Sudden vision loss, the dog is bumping into furniture, or the eye looks different in size or shape compared to the other eye"
   ],
   "action": [
    "This can indicate glaucoma, a ruptured eyeball, or a foreign object stuck in the eye",
    "All of these need urgent veterinary treatment",
    "Go now"
   ]
  },
  {
   "tier": "warn",
   "label": "Same-day appointment",
   "signs": [
    "Thick yellow or green discharge, red or pink tissue around the eye, squinting, excessive blinking, or the dog is rubbing the eye on the floor or with a paw"
   ],
   "action": [
    "These signs suggest an infection, a scratch on the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye), or a foreign body like a grass seed",
    "Book a vet visit today",
    "Do not clean the eye in the meantime"
   ]
  },
  {
   "tier": "warn",
   "label": "Same-day appointment",
   "signs": [
    "Swelling of the eyelid, a visible lump on the eyelid, or the eye looks half-closed for more than a few hours"
   ],
   "action": [
    "Let a veterinarian examine the eye before you touch it",
    "Swelling can mean an abscess, a tumor, or an allergic reaction"
   ]
  },
  {
   "tier": "safe",
   "label": "Watch at home",
   "signs": [
    "Small amount of clear or slightly brownish discharge in the inner corner of the eye, dried crust on the fur below the eye, no redness, no squinting, dog is not bothered"
   ],
   "action": [
    "Clean gently using the steps below",
    "If the discharge returns heavily within 24 hours, or if the eye becomes red, call your vet"
   ]
  }
 ]
}

If you are ever unsure, call your veterinarian's office and describe what you see. They can tell you whether to come in. Do not rely on online advice to diagnose an eye problem. Many eye conditions look similar to each other and can only be told apart with a special stain and a bright light during an examination. The American Veterinary Medical Association provides guidance on recognizing when professional care is needed.

What Is Normal Eye Discharge?

A small amount of clear, watery discharge or a tiny crust in the corner of the eye is normal for many dogs. Tears drain through small openings at the inner corner of the eye, and when tears mix with dust and dead cells, they dry into what people call eye boogers. Some breeds produce more tears than others. Flat-faced breeds like pugs, bulldogs, and Shih Tzus often have shallow eye sockets and folds of skin that trap moisture, so they tend to have more eye discharge and tear staining.

Normal discharge is clear, light brown, or slightly rust-colored. It does not smell bad. The white of the eye should be white or slightly pink, not red. The dog should open and close the eye normally and should not squint or blink excessively.

What Else Could It Be?

If the discharge is thick, yellow, green, or gray, that is pus. Pus means infection or inflammation. If the eye itself looks red, that is called conjunctivitis, which is inflammation of the pink tissue lining the eyelids. Conjunctivitis can come from allergies, viruses, bacteria, or a scratch. If the dog squints or keeps the eye closed, that is a strong sign of pain, and pain in the eye is always a reason to see a veterinarian.

Another possibility is a foreign object. Grass seeds, foxtails, sand, or tiny plant material can get trapped under the eyelid. The dog will often paw at the eye or rub it on the ground. You cannot safely remove a foreign object from under the eyelid at home. Trying to do so can scratch the cornea or push the object deeper. The MSD Veterinary Manual explains that corneal ulcers, which are scratches or erosions on the clear surface of the eye, are painful and require veterinary treatment.

Dry eye, which veterinarians call keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is another condition that causes thick, sticky discharge. In dry eye, the tear glands do not produce enough moisture, so the eye becomes irritated and produces mucus instead. This condition needs prescription medication and regular veterinary monitoring. It will not improve with cleaning.

When Cleaning Is Safe

Cleaning is safe only when the eye looks normal except for the discharge itself. That means no redness, no swelling, no squinting, no pawing, and no change in the dog's behavior. The dog should let you approach the face without pulling away. If the dog is in pain, even gentle cleaning will hurt, and the dog may bite out of fear.

If the eye looks normal and the discharge is just crust or dried tears, you can clean it. You will need a few supplies. Use a clean, soft washcloth or a package of sterile gauze pads. Use plain warm water or a sterile saline solution made for eyes, which you can buy at a pharmacy. Do not use contact lens solution, eye drops meant for humans, soap, shampoo, hydrogen peroxide, or any wipe that contains alcohol, fragrance, or preservatives. These can damage the cornea or irritate the eye. The American Animal Hospital Association recommends using only products that are labeled safe for use near the eyes.

Wash your hands thoroughly before you start. Wet the cloth or gauze with warm water or saline. Wring it out so it is damp, not dripping. Gently wipe from the inner corner of the eye outward, away from the nose. Use a fresh section of cloth for each wipe. If the crust is stuck to the fur, hold the damp cloth over the area for a few seconds to soften it, then wipe gently. Never pull or tug at the crust. If it does not come off easily, it may be matted into the fur, and you should trim the fur with blunt scissors while a helper holds the dog still, or ask a groomer to do it.

Clean one eye at a time. Use a clean cloth or a fresh gauze pad for the second eye so you do not spread anything from one eye to the other. After cleaning, dry the area gently with a soft towel. If the discharge returns within a few hours, or if the eye becomes red or the dog starts squinting, stop cleaning and call your veterinarian.

What You Can Do at Home Right Now

If your dog’s eyes look normal apart from some crust or discharge, and you have already ruled out the emergency signs from the first part of this guide, you can clean them gently. The goal is to soften and remove debris without rubbing the eye itself.

What you need:

• A clean, soft washcloth or a package of sterile gauze pads
• Warm water, or an over-the-counter saline solution made for eyes
• A separate cloth for each eye
• A towel to catch drips
• Treats to keep your dog still and calm

Do not use:

• Cotton balls or cotton swabs. The fibers can stick to the eye surface or the eyelid.
• Human eye drops, contact lens solution, or any medicated rinse.
• Soap, shampoo, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar.
• Leftover water from a cup that has touched your hands or the counter.

These items can irritate the eye or introduce bacteria. If you are unsure whether a product is safe, do not use it. Plain warm water on a clean cloth is almost always enough.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide

1. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before you touch your dog’s face.
2. Soak the cloth or gauze in warm water. Wring it out so it is damp, not dripping. The water should feel lukewarm on the inside of your wrist, like you would test a baby’s bottle.
3. Hold your dog’s head gently with one hand. Use your other hand to place the damp cloth at the inner corner of the eye, where the nose meets the eye.
4. Wipe outward, away from the nose, in one smooth motion. Do not rub back and forth. Do not press on the eyeball.
5. Use a fresh section of cloth for each wipe. If you are using gauze, use a new pad for each eye. This prevents spreading bacteria from one eye to the other.
6. Let the area air dry for a minute. Pat it dry with a clean, dry towel if your dog’s face is very wet.
7. Praise your dog and give a treat after each eye, even if they squirmed. This builds cooperation for next time.

For crusty buildup, hold the damp cloth over the area for 30 to 60 seconds to soften it before wiping. Never pick or scrape at dried crust. If it does not soften after two or three gentle attempts, stop and call your veterinarian.

How Often Should You Clean?

For a dog with normal eyes, once a day is plenty. Cleaning more often can dry out the skin around the eye and cause irritation. If you find yourself cleaning more than twice a day to keep up with discharge, that is a sign the discharge is not normal. Make a note of how often you are cleaning and tell your veterinarian.

What to Write Down Before You Call the Vet

Before you contact a veterinarian, gather these details. They help the vet decide how urgent the problem is and what to ask you next.

Take a short video of your dog’s eye in good light. Show the eye from the front and from the side. This is useful for both in-person and remote visits.

Checklist of Signs That Require a Vet Visit

Book an appointment within 24 hours if you see any of these:

• Discharge that is yellow, green, or bloody
• Squinting or holding the eye closed
• Redness in the white of the eye or the inner eyelid
• Swelling of the eyelid or the area around the eye
• A visible scratch, ulcer, or foreign object on the eye surface
• The third eyelid (the pink membrane at the inner corner) covering part of the eye
• Cloudiness or a dull look to the eye surface
• Your dog pawing at the eye repeatedly
• Discharge that has not improved after three days of gentle cleaning
• A change in the amount or color of discharge from what is normal for your dog

If your dog shows any of these, do not keep cleaning and waiting. Home cleaning will not treat an infection, a scratch, or a foreign body. It can even make some conditions worse by spreading bacteria or delaying treatment.

What a Veterinary Visit Usually Involves

Your veterinarian will start by asking about the history you recorded. They will then examine the eye in a dim room. They may use a bright light to look at the surface of the eye and the eyelids. They will likely check for a scratch or ulcer using a special orange dye called fluorescein. This dye glows under a blue light and shows any damage to the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. The dye is painless and washes out with tears.

Depending on what they find, the vet may also:

• Measure tear production with a small strip of paper placed under the eyelid
• Check eye pressure with a small device that touches the eye surface
• Look inside the eye with a magnifying instrument
• Take a swab of the discharge to check for bacteria

Most eye exams take 15 to 30 minutes. Your dog does not need sedation for the basic tests, though a very anxious dog may need a mild sedative.

Costs vary widely. A basic eye exam and stain test might range from $50 to $150. If the vet adds tear tests, pressure checks, or medications, the total can rise to $150 to $400 or more. Prices depend heavily on your region, the clinic, and whether it is a general practice or a specialty hospital. These are general ranges, not quotes. Ask for an estimate before any additional tests are done.

When an Online Vet Can Help, and When It Cannot

Some situations in this article require hands-on care and must not be handled remotely. If your dog is squinting, has a visible scratch on the eye, has yellow or green discharge, or shows any sign of pain, an online consultation cannot replace an in-person exam. The veterinarian cannot see the eye surface clearly enough on video, cannot apply the stain test, and cannot measure eye pressure. These tests are essential for diagnosing ulcers, glaucoma, and foreign bodies. Do not use a remote visit to delay care for these signs.

A remote consultation is genuinely useful for earlier, milder situations. If your dog has a small amount of clear discharge and you are unsure whether it is normal, a video call can help you decide. It is also helpful for a recheck on a known problem, a question about whether a sign warrants a visit, a medication side effect question, or a follow-up on a chronic condition like dry eye.

A remote veterinarian can take a detailed history, look at visible signs on video, advise you on cleaning technique, and in many states prescribe medication. But they cannot palpate the abdomen, listen to the chest, take a temperature, run bloodwork, or image anything. Prescribing rules differ by state, and a veterinarian may require an in-person examination before prescribing eye medication. That is a safety measure, not an inconvenience. Eye problems can worsen quickly, and the wrong medication can cause permanent damage.

If you use a remote service, have your notes and video ready. Be honest about what you have tried and how long the signs have lasted. The veterinarian will tell you if you need to come in. Trust that judgment.

Common Mistakes Owners Make

Many owners mean well but make errors that irritate the eye or hide a real problem. The most common mistake is rubbing the eye with a dry cloth or cotton ball. Dry material drags across the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, and can cause tiny scratches. Another frequent error is using human eye drops, contact lens solution, or tea. These are not made for dogs and can sting, burn, or damage the eye.

A third mistake is cleaning too often. Wiping the eye several times a day strips away the natural protective tear film and can make the eye dry and red. Some owners also push on the eyeball itself while trying to remove crust. You should only wipe the skin around the eye, never press on the eye.

Finally, many owners keep cleaning for weeks without calling a vet. If discharge returns within a day or two, or if the eye looks red, cloudy, or painful, cleaning will not fix the cause. The underlying problem needs a professional examination.

How to Reduce the Chance of It Happening Again

Prevention starts with knowing your dog's normal face. Dogs with flat faces, such as pugs and bulldogs, often have shallow eye sockets and folds that trap moisture. Wipe those folds gently each day and keep the hair around the eyes trimmed short. Long hair can poke the eye and wick tears onto the face.

Check the eyes at the same time each day, for example when you feed breakfast. Look for redness, cloudiness, squinting, or a change in the amount of discharge. Catching a problem early makes treatment easier and less expensive.

Keep household chemicals and cleaning sprays away from your dog's face. Many common products can irritate the eyes if they drift into the air. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists household hazards that can cause eye irritation and other serious effects, so store these items out of reach and use them in ventilated areas. If you suspect any chemical got into your dog's eye, rinse with plain warm water and call your vet or the poison control center right away.

Regular veterinary checkups help too. During a routine visit, your vet can spot early signs of dry eye, tear duct problems, or eyelid issues before they cause visible discharge. The American Animal Hospital Association recommends preventive care visits as a way to catch health changes early.

Recovery and Ongoing Management

How long eye problems take to resolve depends entirely on the cause. Mild irritation from dust or a stray hair often clears within a day or two of gentle cleaning. Allergies may come and go with the season and need occasional cleaning for weeks. Conditions like dry eye, where the tear glands do not produce enough moisture, usually need lifelong daily medication.

If your vet prescribes drops or ointment, give them exactly as directed and finish the full course even if the eye looks better. Stopping early can let an infection rebound. You will usually see improvement within two to three days of starting treatment. If there is no change after that, call your vet back.

During recovery, keep your dog from rubbing the face on carpets or furniture. An Elizabethan collar, sometimes called a cone, may be needed for a few days to protect the eye while it heals. Your vet will tell you if this is necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use baby wipes on my dog's eyes?

No. Baby wipes contain moisturizers, fragrances, and preservatives that can irritate a dog's eye. Even wipes labeled unscented can sting. Use a fresh piece of gauze or a soft cloth dampened with warm water. If you prefer commercial wipes, choose a product made specifically for dog eyes and follow the label instructions. When in doubt, plain warm water is the safest option.

My dog has brown tear stains under the eyes. Is that an infection?

Brown stains are usually from tears overflowing onto the fur and drying. The pigment in tears reacts with air and turns reddish-brown. This is common in white-coated and flat-faced breeds. Stains alone are not an emergency, but they can signal blocked tear ducts, eyelid problems, or allergies. If the skin under the stain looks red, sore, or smells bad, have your vet look at it.

How do I know if my dog's eye hurts?

A dog in eye pain often squints, blinks rapidly, or keeps the eye half closed. The eye may look red or cloudy, and the dog might paw at the face or avoid bright light. Some dogs become less active or lose their appetite. Any of these signs means the eye needs a vet visit, not more home cleaning. Pain in the eye can indicate a scratch, ulcer, or foreign object.

Can I clean my dog's eyes with saline solution?

Plain sterile saline, the kind used for wound rinsing, is generally safe for moistening a cloth to wipe around the eye. Do not use contact lens solution, which contains preservatives and cleaning agents. Do not squirt saline directly into the eye unless your vet has told you to. For routine cleaning, warm water on a cloth works just as well and carries no risk of contamination.

My dog's eye discharge is green and thick. What should I do?

Thick green or yellow discharge often points to an infection or an inflamed tear duct. This is not something home cleaning can resolve. Call your vet and describe what you see. They may want to examine the eye and take a sample to identify the cause. Do not wait more than a day, because eye infections can worsen quickly and threaten vision.

How often should I clean my dog's eyes if they are healthy?

For most dogs, checking the eyes daily and cleaning only when you see discharge is enough. Some dogs naturally have small crusts in the corner of the eye each morning, and a single gentle wipe removes them. If you find yourself cleaning more than once a day every day, or if the discharge is heavy, that is a reason to ask your vet. Frequent cleaning can dry the eye and hide a developing problem.

Related Clinical & Scientific Guides

• Dog Coughing: When Is It an Emergency?
• My Dog Ate a CBD Gummy: What Should I Do?
• Cat Vomiting After Eating Too Fast: When to Slow Down and When to Call

References and Further Reading

• AVMA Emergency Care for Pets
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
• AVMA Pet Owner Resources
• MSD Veterinary Manual Pet Owner Version
• AAHA Pet Owner Resources

Related Articles

• How to Safely Clean and Bandage a Dog's Minor Wound at Home
• How to Safely Check Your Dog's Temperature at Home
• How to Safely Brush Your Dog's Teeth at Home: A Vet-Approved Guide
• How to Safely Clean Your Cat's Eyes at Home: What to Use and What to Avoid
• How to Safely Check Your Dog's Hydration at Home: Pinch Tests and More

This article is general educational information for pet owners. It is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, examination, or treatment. If your pet is showing severe or rapidly worsening signs, contact an emergency veterinary hospital immediately.