Some pets look like they’ve been crying. Although dogs and cats do have tear ducts, they don’t cry for the same reasons humans do. Tears are produced constantly and drain out through small ducts in the eyelids. These ducts normally flow into the nose; ducts that are blocked cause the tears to drain out onto the face.
Tear stains may be especially noticeable on light colored pets. Miniature and toy breeds of dog are especially prone to pink or brown tear stains on the skin and hair just below the inside corner of the eye. Under normal conditions, a pet’s tears are clear. Bacteria on the skin and hair cause the color change.
So what causes tear overflow? There can be several different causes.
- Miniature breeds often have prominent or bulging eyes. This stretches the eyelid and can cut off the natural drainage system! There isn’t much your veterinarian can do to fix this.
- Some animals are simply born with an abnormal drainage system in the eyes. This may or may not be correctable with surgery.
- Sometimes, the eyelids turn inward, blocking tear drainage. This is surgically correctable.
- Hair near the eye can act as a wick, drawing the tears out onto the face. Removing the hair from the area can help.
- Eye irritation, allergies, and stray eyelashes can rub the surface of the eye, leading to excessive tear formation. These conditions can be painful and frustrating for your pet. Your vet can help.
- Inflammation or ulcers on the cornea or in the duct system can cause excessive tearing. These conditions can be very painful; call your vet for treatment options.
Check your pet’s eyes regularly. Keep the area around the eyes as clean as possible; remove any liquid or crust around the eyes. Tear accumulation can lead to hair matting, skin irritation, and even eye infection! Watch for lesions around the eye and call your veterinarian immediately if you find any open wounds.
More about grooming your pets from Families.com!