An eyewash for dogs can serve multiple purposes. Dog owners might want to rinse the gook out of the corners of their dog's eyes or use a dog eyewash to help with allergies. A dog's health can also be improved by relieving dry eyes or removing an irritant from the eye. The best eye rinses and eye ointments and medications will be prescribed by your veterinarian; however, some home remedies are possible if necessary. A dog eyewash can be created using ingredients that you may likely already have on hand in your home.
Chamomile tea as a dog eyewash solution
Chamomile tea provides a soothing base for a dog eyewash solution whether your dog has a bacterial infection, has allergies, or has an eye irritant from being outside. For pet owners who keep tea around the house, it can be easy to make.
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- Place a tea bag in a cup and pour boiling water into it.
- Steep the concoction until it cools.
- Use an eyedropper to put two to three drops in each of your dog's eyes.
- Swab the area around the eyes with a cotton ball or cotton swab.
Do this two or three times daily.
Lemon juice homemade eye drops for dogs
If you've ever accidentally squirted lemon juice in your eye, you know it hurts! That might make you not think of lemon juice as a dog eyewash solution. However, the juice contains beneficial anti-microbial and anti-oxidant qualities. Only use lemon juice if you are sure that your dog has an eye infection. It should not be used for pink eye (conjunctivitis). You can identify an eye infection by a green or yellow discharge. Lemon juice homemade eye drops are easy to make.
- Boil and then cool a small pot of water
- Add four drops of lemon juice to 2 tablespoons of distilled or warm water.
- Use an eyedropper to put two to three drops in each of your dog's eyes.
- Swab a wet cotton ball under the dog's eyes to help eliminate tear stains.
Repeat this two or three times per day.
Saline dog eyewash
Rinse your dog's eyes using a homemade eye rinse. This soothing and cleansing rinse can be made from herbal tea and noniodized salt. When brewing the chamomile tea, know that you can also substitute eyebright, calendula, or red clover tea.
- Prepare chamomile tea as directed.
- Put 10 drops of the tea into a cup of purified water and add 1 teaspoon of salt.
- Moisten a cotton ball with the solution to squeeze the liquid into your dog's eye.
- Wipe away any debris and clean beneath the eye afterward using the cotton ball.
Get rid of dog tear stains
If you have a white or light-colored dog, rust-colored tear stains can mar your dog's otherwise adorable appearance. Make a dog-safe eyewash solution to clean beneath the eyes and help fade stains. The solution will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Combine 1 tablespoon of boric acid powder with 1 cup of distilled water and stir until completely dissolved.
- Cool the concoction completely and then store it in a tightly covered jar in the refrigerator.
- Dip a cotton ball or cosmetic sponge into the solution and use the dog eyewash to clean the corners and beneath the eye.
Eyewash for a dog's pink eye
The whites of your dog's eyes might appear red or pink for any number of reasons. They could have a viral or bacterial infection, an irritation, an allergy, or dry eyes. Known medically as conjunctivitis, the condition usually isn't serious but could lead to blindness or other serious medical conditions if left untreated.
A dog eyewash solution for pink eye can help flush away irritants and lubricate your dog's eyes. One simple remedy is to make yourself a cup of tea and let the tea bag cool until it is just mildly warm. Cuddle your pet on your lap and hold the tea bag over their eye for at least five minutes.
The warm, moist tea from the bag acts as a wash containing tannins that will help soothe irritation. If your dog's eye condition doesn't clear up in two or three days, if it gets worse, or if it seems like your pooch is in constant discomfort, call your veterinarian. Small particles can sometimes become lodged in the eye, and your dog can damage the area further with pawing and head rubbing.
What are the benefits of using a homemade dog eye wash?
The benefit of a homemade dog eye wash is its expediency. Many people have tea bags and lemon juice in the house, and far fewer have access to specific eye wash solutions. However, if you have a dog who seems prone to eye infections or irritated eyes, it may be necessary to stock up on specially formulated eye solutions.
What can you rinse a dog's eye with?
Many of the things that humans rinse their eyes with, like plain saline solution, can be used on dogs. However, it is important to avoid saline that is formulated for contact lenses, usually labeled as "cleaning solution." For foreign objects, flushing out the eye with clean water is a good first step.
How can I treat my dog's eye infection naturally?
For a foreign object or extended discomfort, it is always best to seek the advice of a veterinarian. You can consult your veterinarian about "natural" or less invasive ways to treat your dog, but it's always best to have expert advice. If you are treating your dog at home, the solutions described above, from saline to tea to lemon juice, can work in the time before you seek medical care.
The bottom line
While it is possible to make DIY eye wash solutions and they can be used as a stopgap method until an appointment with your veterinarian and an approved solution is secured, it is important to consult your veterinarian about anything that is going in or on your pet's eyes. However, if home solutions are necessary, common ingredients, like tea bags and lemon juice, can be helpful for soothing irritation.