Does your dog have reddish brown tear stains on their face? Do they have eye discharge or crust in the corner of their eyes? Cleaning your dog’s eyes and face doesn’t have to be a chore. Eye wipes can help you clear out that “eye snot” and even help prevent tear stains on your dog.
What Are Eye Wipes?
Eye wipes are pieces of cloth or pads that are infused with a solution to help you clean around your dog’s eyes.
Why Does My Dog Need Their Eyes Cleaned?
There are various reasons why your dog may need to have the area around their eyes cleaned.
- Dry Eyes. This may cause excess tear production.
- Eye Infection. Can cause increased discharge from your dog’s eyes.
- Allergies. This can also cause an increase in discharge from your dog’s eyes.
- Blocked Tear Duct. A blocked tear duct can cause tears to run down your dog’s face instead of being properly drained in their eye.
- Eye Surgery. May cause discharge or excess tearing.
- Genetics. Certain dog breeds, ex. brachycephalic breeds, are more prone to having excess tears due to the bulging of their eyes.
- Tear Stains. These are the reddish brown marks you may see on your dog’s face. Tear stains tend to be more noticeable on white or lightly colored dogs.
*****If your dog is having any symptoms with their eyes (discharge, itching, redness, tear stains, etc.) it is important to have your dog checked out by your veterinarian. Your vet can determine the cause of your dog’s symptoms and if they need to be treated with antibiotics or other means.*****
Why Should I Use Eye Wipes?
Any easy way to clean your dog’s eyes would be to use a face cloth soaked in warm water. Using this method, you may have to scrub a little or use some pressure to get the gunk off your dog. This may be a bit harsh for your dog.
Eye wipes are pre-moistened and contain ingredients that will help break down debris or stains that may be on your dog’s face. This will be gentler than using a face cloth and more tolerable for your dog.
What Causes Tear Stains?
There are several causes of tear stains on dogs. It is important to determine what the cause is for your dog, in order to properly treat them.
- The breakdown of iron in your dog’s blood comes out in saliva, urine, and tears. This can cause the staining you may see by your dog’s eyes and mouth.
- Minerals found in groundwater can cause an increase in iron in your dog’s tears.
- Allergies to certain foods or even your dog’s food dish can cause symptoms.
- Genetics, like brachycephalic breeds will have excess tear production.
Can Eye Wipes Remove Tear Stains?
Eye wipes will not get rid of the tear stains your dog already has (they may lighten it a little), but they can help in preventing new stains from developing if they are used on a regular basis.
First, find the cause of your dog’s tear stains. Have your dog evaluated by your veterinarian. It may be as simple as using distilled or bottled water or changing your dog’s food that helps get rid of the staining.
Next, make sure to keep your dog’s hair short around their eyes. It will be easier to clean.
Then, keep the area around your dog’s eyes clean. This is where the eye wipes come in. By using eye wipes on a regular basis, you will stop the build up of tears and decrease the likelihood of developing tear stains.
Are Baby Wipes Safe For Dog Eyes?
Baby wipes are not safe to be used to clean your dog’s eyes. They may cause more harm to your dog, as the ingredients in baby wipes are specially formulated for humans and not dogs. Your dog may have a reaction to the ingredients as well. Dog wipes are pH balanced to be specifically used by dogs.
If you have any questions, check with your veterinarian.
Best Eye Wipes For Dogs
These are the top rated eye wipes for dogs according to users. The product information for each of the eye wipes is per the manufacturer.
We specifically chose products that are made to be used around the eyes. Products that are multi-purpose that can be used on the entire body were not considered.
All of the eye wipes are very gentle and do a good job cleaning dog’s eyes of dirt, debris, discharge and crust.
In terms of cleaning tear stains, it will be more of a trial and error on if they would work for your dog.
The biggest con for all wipes is they may dry out once they are opened. As always, if there are any additional pros or cons, we will list them.
Earthbath Eye Wipes For Pets
- Cleans tear stains, dirt, secretions, and discharge.
- Hypoallergenic.
- Fragrance free.
- Alcohol free.
- No parabens, sulfates, or dyes.
- For dogs over 6 weeks old.
- Cruelty free.
- Flea treatment compatible.
- Made in the USA from domestic and imported material.
TrueBlue Cucumber & Chamomile Safe And Sure Eye Wipes
- Removes tear stains and dirt.
- Contains witch hazel, organic cucumber, and organic chamomile.
- Cruelty free.
- Hypoallergenic.
- pH balanced.
- Made in the USA.
Optixcare Eye Cleaning Wipes
- Restores, clears, and soothes eyes.
- Good to clean secretions, mucus, debris, and irritants.
- Removes dry matter and tear stains.
- Soothes burning and irritated eyes.
Wet Ones For Pets Dog Wipes For Snout, Eye, and Ear
- Hypoallergenic.
- Removes dirt and tear stains.
- Good for dogs 8 weeks and older.
- Unscented.
John Paul Pet Ear & Eye Pet Wipes
- Cleanse and refresh the eyes.
- Removes tear stains and build-up around the eyes.
- Fragrance free.
- pH balanced for dogs.
- Aloe infused.
- No parabens.
- Cruelty free.
- Phthalate free.
- Made in the USA.
I-Lid ‘N Lash
- Soothes and hydrates.
- Prevents tear stains.
- Cleans eyelids and lashes.
- Removes residue and secretions.
Nutripaws Facial Pet Wipes
- Removes dirt.
- Conditions and softens.
- Cleanses tear stains.
- Helps prevent eye stain build-up.
- Fragrance free.
- Good for dogs 12 weeks and older.
- Made in the USA.
Pros/Cons:
- Although fragrance free, some users reported the scent of these wipes were too strong for them.
Petkin Jumbo Pet Eye Wipes
- Cleans daily dirt and eye stains.
- Enriched with Aloe Vera.
- Removes dirt, discharge, and tear stains.
- Cruelty free.
Pros/Cons:
- Canister is hard for some people to open.
- It is a very large wipe for a small area you are cleaning.
Miracle Care Eye Wash Pads
- Cleans and soothes eyes.
- Removes eye debris.
- Improves tear stains.
- Non-stinging formula.
- Made in the USA.
Pros/Cons:
- Pads are very thin, so it is hard to get just one pad out of container.
MOKAI Facial And Tear Stain Cleansing Wipes
- Removes tear and saliva stains.
- Fragrance free.
- Helps remove eye discharge.
- Made in the USA.
Pros/Cons:
- Some users found these wipes to be too moist.
Eye wipes are pre-moistened cloths or pads that can provide a gentle way to clean your dog’s eye area of dirt, debris, discharge, and crust. They may even help prevent the build up of tear stains if used on a regular basis.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.