Why Do My Dog’s Eyes Stink? (And What Can I Do?)

Are you dealing with smelly dog eyes? It’s not a pleasant condition. All you want to do is hug and kiss your furry little friend, but getting close to its face makes you gag. Ok, maybe it’s not quite that bad. But it’s not pleasant. More importantly. stinky eyes can indicate a serious health condition. Keep reading to learn why a dog’s eyes might stink and what you should do about it. We will also cover some measures to take, to prevent this issue from occurring in the first place.  

Why Do My Dog’s Eyes Stink?

The most common reasons for a dog’s eyes to stink is an underlying eye infection. If bacteria start to grow in the eye area, then your dog’s eyes might begin to smell bad. Usually an eye infection is accompanied by excessive tearing or other eye discharge. But an infection is not the only possible reason for smelly eyes. And there are numerous conditions that can cause infected eyes, or some type of eye discharge. Let’s take a look at some of the most common issues that can lead to stinky eyes in dogs.  

Infection

There are certain symptoms you should look for, if you notice that your dog’s eyes are starting to smell. If the smell is accompanied by a discharge that is of a yellow or green color, it could be a sign of infection. Other symptoms of infection include redness, swelling, and itchiness. Some breeds, like Yorkies, are especially prone to eye discharge. The thick Yorkshire terrier eye discharge is called “sleepers” because it appears after a dog has slept. Sleepers are the slimy or crusty substance discharged in the eyes. The usual colors of sleepers are yellow, gray, or green, and they are found in the eye’s duct. You should use your own judgement to determine the seriousness of these symptoms. For example, if the symptoms don’t seem to be clearing up on their own, you may need to take your dog to the vet. If your vet diagnoses an infection, they may give your dog antibiotics, which should help to clear it up.  

Epiphora

Epiphora is the word for watering eyes, a symptom that can have many underlying causes. And excessive tears can sometimes cause your dog’s eyes to stink. If your dog is suffering from epiphora, you may want to get it diagnosed by a vet, just to rule out any serious conditions that could cause excessive tearing. If the reason for epiphora has been diagnosed and it is not something serious, you’re going to want to do your best to keep on top of it to try and stop the eyes from smelling. You can treat any excess tears by wiping them away with a warm and damp cloth. This should also help to stop any bad smells from occurring and prevent any inflammation. If your dog is scratching at its eyes, it is because the discharge is causing it discomfort. If the discharge is left unattended, it can start to cause itchiness for your dog and cause an unpleasant smell at the same time. This is why you should always stay on top of the problem and wipe away any discharge with a warm, damp cloth.  

Cataracts

The most common eye problem in Yorkies is cataracts. Cataracts cause pain and blindness when not treated immediately. Diabetic cataracts have the highest possibility of resulting in permanent blindness. Early cases of cataracts commonly require surgery to decrease possible blindness. The most common symptoms of cataracts are lens cloudiness, opaque eye color, troubled vision (i.e. your pup is bumping into things all the time), and just a general difficulty navigating the surroundings.  

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS)

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is another common eye problem in Yorkies. KCS restricts the tear glands from producing sufficient amounts of tears to keep the eyes moist. This health issue results in itchy and sore eyes than be extremely painful for your poor pup. Common symptoms of KCS include constant eye pawing, squinting, a thick discharge, and a dull and dry eye appearance If you see these symptoms in your dog’s eyes, take it to a vet immediately for a professional diagnosis.  

How To Cure Smelly Dog Eyes

As a dog owner, you have to maintain regular eye cleaning, especially when your dog is prone to eye infections. It is also part of their hygiene and helps them fight bacterial build-up in their eyes. Flush each eye carefully several times using an eyewash formulated for dogs. This will clear out any irritation or foreign objects in the eyes. If the irritation doesn’t stop, go to the vet for a check-up. If your Yorkie plays outdoors a lot, regularly flush his eyes. This will reduce the possibility of eye infection and disease. When driving, roll up your car windows to prevent the wind from drying out your Yorkie’s eyes. Dry eyes from the wind will only get irritated. If wiping any tears or discharge away just doesn’t seem to be doing the trick then there are other methods you can try to tackle your dog’s smelly eyes. First, try soothing the eyes. If they are showing signs of inflammation, then use a warm compress to try and bring down the inflammation. Another method could be to invest in an e-collar. This will stop your dog from scratching at its eyes which could potentially make the problem worse. Not scratching could start to bring relief to your dog’s eyes and reduce any redness and swelling. If the eyes are left alone, they could also begin to heal and this should eventually put a stop to any bad smells. If none of these methods are working then the best thing you can do for your dog is to take it to the vet. If your vet believes there’s an eye infection, then your dog will most likely be put on antibiotics. These are a speedy form of treatment and once they’ve made their way into your dog’s system, you should notice the infection begin to clear up within days. This means it won’t be long until you can kiss your dog again, without having to hold your nose.  

Cleaning a Yorkie’s Tear Stains And Eye Boogers

Do tear stains on dogs go away? They do not disappear on their own, but they are not permanent either. You will have to take steps to remove them. To clean your Yorkie’s tear stains, you can use a damp cloth with an eye rinse. There are specialized tear stain removers for dogs on the market that work quite well. Just make sure they use all-natural ingredients. You should also switch to a healthy dog food to reduce tear stains. As for how to clean Yorkie eye boogers, simply maintain a routine in rinsing your dog’s eyes. This will prevent mucus formation and eye irritation.  

How To Prevent Eye Irritation

Preventing things from happening is always better than trying to cure a problem. Here are some things you can do to avoid eye irritation from causing a problem in the first place.  

Protect Your Dog’s Eyes

If you’re using flea-killing shampoo or medicated shampoo to bathe your dog, use a droplet of ophthalmic gel beforehand. An ophthalmic gel will help prevent chemicals from holding on too long to your dog’s fur and skin, reducing the amount of time any irritants have to find their way into the eyes. You should also refrain from letting your dog stick its head out the window when traveling. It is too easy for small particles to fly into your dog’s eyes and those particles can lead to eye issues.  

Groom Your Yorkie Regularly

Grooming is not only a fashion for dogs, but also a big help in terms of maintaining proper hygiene. You want to make sure your Yorkie’s hair stays out of its eyes. The same goes for any other long-haired breed. Trim the excess fur around your dog’s eyes. This will reduce possible eye irritation. If you are not confident in doing this, have a veterinarian or a professional dog groomer performs this action, to avoid injuring your pup.  

Stinky Dog Eyes: Related Questions

Next, we will answer some common questions related to a dog’s eyes smelling bad. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to ask them in the comments below.  

Is It Normal For Dogs’ Eyes To Smell?

It isn’t normal for your dog’s eyes to be smelling, but it does happen. A strong smell coming from the eyes can indicate a sign of infection. If your dog is suffering from an eye infection, this can affect its eyesight and also cause them a considerable amount of discomfort. If you suspect an eye infection and it doesn’t seem to be clearing up on its own then you need to take your dog to the vet, so that they can prescribe the right form of treatment. This may be a course of antibiotics or eye drops, depending on the type of infection.  

Why Does My Dog’s Face Smell Sour?

If your dog has a sour smell coming from its facial region, this can be a sign of either a skin or ear infection. These types of infections can affect your dog’s natural scent and are usually caused by issues such as allergies or parasites. If you suspect that your dog has a skin or ear infection, other symptoms to look out for include irritated skin, which will usually be red and inflamed, loss of fur, a greasy coat, or crusty skin. A vet can easily treat these infections with medications or even shampoos, if it is a skin condition.  

How Do I Get Rid Of The Smell On My Dog’s Face?

There are plenty of ways you can get rid of the smell on your dog’s face. You can wipe its face every day to remove any leftover food or dirt that may have accumulated. For the ears, you can grab a cotton ball and a specially formulated cleanser for dogs. You can wipe the ears to prevent an ear infection from occurring which can cause your dog’s face to smell. You’ll want to do this several times a week and especially after your dog has been around water as moisture can be one cause of infection. This article covers how to clean your Yorkie’s ears. The smell could also be coming from the mouth. If you figure out that this is the case, you might want to start brushing your dog’s teeth. Dental hygiene is just as important in dogs as it is in humans. You can buy a cheap human toothbrush, but just make sure you aren’t buying human toothpaste. Your dog probably won’t enjoy the taste too much and it can also make dog’s sick.  

Why Dogs’ Eyes Stink: Conclusion

A dog’s eyes smelling bad is not uncommon, but it is not normal either. I you notice an unpleasant odor emanating from your pup’s eyes, you should take steps to correct it. Smelly eyes usually indicate a health issue. And sometimes, they can indicate a serious issue. You could try to alleviate the problem on your own, but if the symptoms don’t improve, you should definitely contact a vet.