How to treat dry skin around dog’s eyes

If you’re a new dog parent in the US—maybe you’re sitting on your Portland apartment floor, gently brushing your 10-month-old Bichon Frise, Bella’s, fluffy face, and noticing the skin around her eyes feels rough and flaky, or you’ve caught her rubbing that area on your throw pillow like it’s itchy—you’ve probably thought: Is this just dryness? What if I make it worse by touching it? Dry skin around a dog’s eyes is common, especially in dry apartment air or after seasonal changes, but it needs gentle, targeted care to heal. Let’s break this down so you can soothe Bella’s skin safely.

First, let’s keep the science simple: The skin around a dog’s eyes is super thin—thinner than the skin on your cheek—and it has almost no fur to protect it. That means it dries out easily: from winter heaters sucking moisture out of your apartment air, from using scented wipes to clean eye boogers, or even from your dog licking the area (saliva dries out skin!). Unlike dry skin on their back, this area can’t handle harsh products—so “treating” it is all about adding moisture without irritation. My friend Mia in Texas learned this with her Chihuahua, Lua: Lua had dry, flaky eye skin until Mia swapped her scented eye wipes for unscented ones and added a small humidifier near Lua’s bed—within a week, the flakiness was gone. Small, gentle swaps make all the difference.

Here’s how to treat dry skin around your dog’s eyes, step by step: Start with a calm prep—grab unscented cotton balls, lukewarm water, and a tube of vet-recommended dog-safe moisturizing ointment (never use human lotion—it has chemicals that can hurt their eyes or make them sick if they lick it). Call your dog over with a cheerful “spa time!” and give them a freeze-dried chicken treat first (positive reinforcement keeps them relaxed; never hold their face still or scold them if they wiggle—punishment goes against US animal welfare norms and will make them hide from eye care). Gently dampen the cotton ball with lukewarm water and pat the dry area (don’t rub!) to clean away flakes. Then, use a tiny dot of ointment—about the size of a pinhead—and dab it on the dry skin with your fingertip. Keep sessions short (2–3 minutes) so they don’t get stressed. For apartment living, run a small humidifier near their bed (especially in winter!) to add moisture to the air—this stops dry skin from coming back.

Now, let’s tie in rules and habits that matter. Every US state requires core vaccines (distemper, parvovirus)—while vaccines don’t prevent dry skin, regular vet visits (mandatory for shot updates) are the perfect time to ask about safe ointments. Skipping vaccines could get you fined $150+ in California or New York, and a vet can also rule out other issues (like allergies) that might look like dry skin. When you walk your dog (even with treated eye skin), always clean up their poop—cities from Seattle to Boston fine up to $300 for leaving waste, and outdoor irritants (like dry grass or pollen) can stick to their face, making dry skin worse. If you live in an apartment, avoid placing their bed near air vents—hot or cold air blowing directly on their face dries out eye skin. At the dog park, steer clear of dogs with runny eyes or crusty skin—germs spread fast when pups sniff each other’s faces, and you don’t want to irritate your dog’s already dry skin.

Treating dry skin around your dog’s eyes isn’t about fancy products—it’s about gentle, consistent care. With unscented wipes, a humidifier, and vet-safe ointment, you’ll watch that rough, flaky skin soften. Before you know it, Bella will stop rubbing her eyes on the pillow and be back to nuzzling your hand—happy, comfortable, and free from dryness.