What causes excessive tearing in dogs? A Step-by-Step Guide

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What Is Excessive Tearing and Eye Discharge?

Excessive tearing, or epiphora, is a common issue seen in dogs. It may develop into a discharge that is clear, white, yellow or even green in color. When a dogs eye are draining and teary, its usually a sign of an eye problem.

What causes tear stains under a dog’s eyes?

Excessive tearing can occur as a result of irritation to your dog’s eyes or because your dog’s tears are not draining properly.

Just as your eye waters if a speck of dust blows into it, dogs’ eyes will make tears when irritated to flush away anything harmful. When the eyes are continually irritated, this can lead to chronic tearing that produces stains. Conditions that might irritate the eye include dog eye infections, glaucoma, eyelash or eyelid problems, add corneal ulcers/scratch to the surface of the eye.

In a normal dog eye, there are small holes that drain tears away from the eye and down the throat. A variety of dog eye problems can affect this drainage, causing excessively watery eyes. These conditions include:

  • Shallow eye sockets. If the eye sockets aren’t big or deep enough, tears can spill out onto the fur around the eyes.
  • Eyelids that are turned inward. If the eyelids roll in toward the eyeball, the drainage holes for tears (called puncta) may become blocked.
  • Hair growth around the eye. If hair grows too close to the eye, it can wick tears away from the eye and onto the face.
  • Blocked tear drainage holes (puncta). Previous dog eye infections or eye damage can cause scar tissue to form that blocks some of the drainage passages for tears.

    • Symptoms of Excessive Tearing and Eye Discharge in Dogs

    In most cases, its easy to tell if your dogs eyes are too teary or there is an eye discharge. This may be accompanied by other abnormal eye signs.

  • Glassy appearance to eyes
  • Redness and or swelling of eyelid area (conjunctivitis)
  • Red or “bloodshot” appearance to the whites of eyes (scleral injection)
  • Squinting and/or twitching of the eyelids (blepharospasms)
  • Staining and/or matting of the fur around the eyes
  • Trouble with vision
  • Pain or itchiness (dogs may be seen rubbing their eyes)

    • How To Naturally Treat Dog Tear Staining