How to put eye drops in dog’s eyes

I needed to put eye drops in my dog’s eyes because they were runny and goopy every day.  Many things could cause eyes to be teary.  Dust, dirt, plants, allergies or worse a scratch on the dog’s eyes could cause them to tear or discharge mucus. 

The first few days while her eyes were discharging mucus, I used a soft towel and wet it with warm water and very gently pressed it onto her nose and tear duct area to soften the mucus, then wipe it off.  When I saw this was more than a one day problem, I phoned my dog’s vet about eye drops for my dog.

 I first phoned my vet and asked what would be acceptable for eye drops to put into my dogs eyes.  I was told any over the counter drops to put into my dog’s eyes would be acceptable.

Over the decades I’ve needed to put ointments in the eyes of 3 different horses, a snow blind skiier, and I’ve my own eye drops daily for more than 15 years.  I’m very careful about keeping my eye droppers clean and not touch the eye ball with the droppers.

Putting eye drops in my dog’s eyes would be the first time I put drops in a dog’s eyes.  I’m always nervous putting drops in anyone else’s eyes.  No one likes to see someone or something coming very close to their face like eye drops. 

I selected an eye drop with minimal ingredients hoping to avoid something that might sting, itch or burn her eyes.  

The first time putting eye drops in my dog’s eyes, I lined up her favorite dog treats.  I pulled her head close to my knee & I held the dropper an inch away from her eye and dropped one drop into her eye.  I praised my dog, and fed her treats, before adding a drop to my dog’s other eye.  Again, I held the dropper an inch away from her eye so she won’t spook from it or tug and get poked by the bottle, and put a drop into my dog’s other eye.  Once more, lots of praise and treats. 

I put drops in each of my dog’s eyes, before bed every night for about 5 days when her eyes looked much better.  There was no more goop coming out of her eyes, and her fur near her tear ducts stopped being clumpy and sticky every morning.

Using the eye drops cleared up Daisy's goopy eyes, and prevented mucus build up and an eye infection.

I hope this is some help to dogs who need help with eye drops, medicated or over the counter.  Putting eye drops in your dog’s eyes doesn’t need to be stressful.  Make it fun, and an opportunity for your pet to earn a treat, and visit and play with you.