What is the reason why dogs often shed tears in their eyes

When we crouch down and see our usually lively dog with glistening tears in its eyes and a hint of grievance in its wet eyes, our hearts ache. The phenomenon of a dog's eyes often tearing may seem ordinary, but it tugs at the heartstrings of every owner. The constantly overflowing tears are like a "distress signal" sent by the dog, and there are complex and diverse reasons behind it. Only by delving deep into these reasons can we give them the most appropriate care and treatment, and convey full love and warmth while safeguarding their bright eyes.

From the perspective of a dog's eye physiological structure, the production and drainage of tears is a precise and orderly process. Under normal circumstances, a dog's lacrimal gland continuously secretes tears. These tears can not only moisten the surface of the eyeball, maintain the transparency of the cornea, but also have the functions of cleaning and sterilization, just like putting on a "protective coat" for the eyes. After the tears are secreted, they will pass through structures such as the lacrimal punctum and lacrimal canaliculus and finally flow into the nasal cavity. When any link in this circulatory system has a problem, it may lead to the tears not being able to be drained normally, thus causing the phenomenon of tearing.

The breed factor is one of the important reasons why some dogs are prone to tearing. For dog breeds with a flat face such as Shih Tzu, Pekingese, and Poodle, due to their unique facial structure, the eyeballs are relatively protruding, and the position of the lacrimal punctum is also likely to change, making it impossible for the tears to flow smoothly into the lacrimal passage and can only overflow from the eye socket. In addition, the nasolacrimal ducts of these dog breeds are relatively narrow, and the unsmooth drainage channel of tears also increases the probability of tearing. Looking at these dogs that are naturally prone to tearing, the owner often feels distressed and helpless. Under their cute faces, it seems that there are always "grieving" tears, and the owner therefore needs to pay more attention and care.

Eye infections and inflammations are common causes of tearing in dogs. When a dog's eyes are invaded by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, it will trigger inflammations such as conjunctivitis and keratitis. The inflammation will stimulate the eye tissues, leading to increased secretion of the lacrimal gland. At the same time, it will also cause symptoms such as redness, swelling, itching, and increased secretions in the eyes. The dog will blink and scratch frequently due to eye discomfort, further aggravating the tearing situation. Just imagine, when our own eyes are inflamed, the stinging and sour feeling is unbearable, let alone for dogs that can't speak. Looking at them crying continuously due to eye infections and with pain in their eyes, the owner wishes they could bear the suffering for them and just hopes to find a treatment method as soon as possible to make their eyes regain their former brightness.

Lacrimal passage obstruction is also a key factor causing tearing in dogs. Once the lacrimal passage is blocked, the tears cannot be drained normally and will continuously accumulate in the eye socket and finally overflow. The lacrimal passage obstruction may be due to congenital developmental abnormalities, or it may be caused by acquired factors, such as inflammation caused by trauma or infection leading to the narrowing or adhesion of the lacrimal passage, or the hair around the eyes being too long, irritating the lacrimal passage and causing obstruction. For dogs with lacrimal passage obstruction, simply wiping the tears cannot solve the problem. Professional examination and treatment are needed to dredge the lacrimal passage, so as to fundamentally relieve the tearing symptoms. During the process of taking the dog to see a doctor, the owner is often filled with worry and anxiety, only hoping that the doctor can work wonders and let the dog get rid of the trouble of tearing.

The hair around the eyes being too long or trichiasis will also irritate the dog's eyes, leading to tearing. Some dogs have thick hair. If it is not trimmed regularly, the long hair will sweep the eyes, causing discomfort, and the dog's lacrimal gland will secrete more tears to relieve the irritation. And trichiasis, that is, the eyelashes growing towards the eyeball, will directly rub against the cornea and conjunctiva, just like tiny needles constantly pricking the eyes. This continuous irritation will make the dog's eyes unbearably painful and the tears keep flowing out. Looking at the dog tearing due to the hair problem, the owner not only blames themselves for not trimming the hair in time but also feels sorry for the pain it suffers. Every time trimming the hair, they will be more careful, hoping to avoid similar situations from happening again.

In addition, a dog's tearing may also be related to dietary and environmental factors. If a dog has long-term consumption of high-salt and greasy foods, it will increase the burden on its body, lead to internal heat and excessive fire, and thus cause increased tearing, and there may also be a large amount of secretions at the corners of the eyes. And irritating substances such as dust, pollen, and smoke in the living environment will also irritate the dog's eyes and make them tear. When the seasons change and the allergens in the air increase, some dogs with an allergic constitution will keep tearing due to eye allergies, accompanied by symptoms such as redness, swelling, and itching of the eyes. These external factors seem trivial, but they constantly affect the dog's eye health. The owner needs to pay more careful attention to the dog's diet and living environment and create a comfortable and healthy living space for them.

When finding that a dog's eyes often tear, the owner should not take it lightly. First, carefully observe the dog's eye symptoms, such as whether there is redness, swelling, secretions, and eye itching, and at the same time, recall the recent changes in the diet and living environment to provide more information for the veterinarian's diagnosis. Take the dog to a pet hospital in a timely manner for a comprehensive examination. Through professional instruments and examination methods, accurately determine the cause of the tearing, and then take targeted treatment measures. During the treatment process, the owner should, according to the doctor's instructions, patiently give the dog medicine and care for its eyes, and give them the confidence to overcome the disease with gentle strokes and soft words of comfort.

Every tear in a dog's eyes tugs at the owner's heart. They can't express their pain in words and can only convey the signal of discomfort to us through tears. As owners, we need to carefully understand these "tear codes" and use professional knowledge and warm love to dispel the haze of eye diseases for them. Every careful observation and every meticulous care are our deep commitments to the dog - no matter what difficulties we encounter, we will stay by their side and make the bright and happy light shine in their eyes again.