Diet and Eye Gunk

[Lil Sis]

Originally Posted by butterfly

Great Thread!!

Sometimes, I swear I am so nieve!! Here I have had Yorkies for so many years and I just thought they all have eye gunk and that is just it. I never thought it might be a food related problem.

My little Angel has a big problem with this, my other not so much, just a little.

I have apple cider viniger, use it for myself, never thought of my doggies. I will start cleaning their eyes with it starting today and am anxious to see how that works. I too like most of you want to use something natural as much as possible.

It's always hard to start changing foods, when they're used to what they have, and the poops are so good. Seems when I start changing food there is a poop problem, some foods just make them so runny. It's confusing what won't upset their balance.

The stuff I read said to add to drinking water --1 tsp to gall. or add to rinse water.. I don't know about cleaning the eye area with it. I would like to know if that is a possibility -- willing to try if it is.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by butterfly

Great Thread!!

Sometimes, I swear I am so nieve!! Here I have had Yorkies for so many years and I just thought they all have eye gunk and that is just it. I never thought it might be a food related problem.

My little Angel has a big problem with this, my other not so much, just a little.

I have apple cider viniger, use it for myself, never thought of my doggies. I will start cleaning their eyes with it starting today and am anxious to see how that works. I too like most of you want to use something natural as much as possible.

It's always hard to start changing foods, when they're used to what they have, and the poops are so good. Seems when I start changing food there is a poop problem, some foods just make them so runny. It's confusing what won't upset their balance.

NO! Do not clean the eyes with vinegar! The only thing to use on the eyes are products made specifically for the eyes, and labled 'for opthalmic use'.

The reference to using vinegar in this thread was only as an additive to the drinking water. I would never use vinegar in any eyes, ever!

[Britster]

Originally Posted by hugz4all4

its funny to me that you make this statement because all of my immediatly family but me, have thier dogs on alpo, dads, beneful, pedigree, kibble n bits and all of their dogs have no eye boogers but mine,not to mention all of them have beautiful, soft and shiny coats and they all think Im crazy for spending the amount of money I do for good dog food, supplements for thier eyes and coats.. etc.. I can tell you this it has me second quessing myself..

It's just from what I've seen personally. I don't think there's enough evidence to prove what ingredients may or may not cause tear staining. Like I said, Jackson got terrible eye boogers on Fromm and Wellness, both of which are high quality foods, so maybe there was one little ingredient in there that bothered him. MAYBE it wasn't the food at all, but just environmental and it being a coincidence I just happened to be feeding it or something. Also, I think small dogs in general are more prone to them (as I think you said) so comparing big dogs vs. little dogs probably isn't a good comparison. Sometimes I think it's just genetics over food or environment.

I'm a dogsitter/walker and basically all my relatives have dogs too. I only know three dogs who eat "high quality" foods (A Rottie on TOTW, a Lab on Natural Balance, and a Beagle mix on Orijen). Maybe by pure coincidence, but those 3 dogs are in GREAT physical shape, their energy is awesome, their coats are sooo shiny and soft (it's especially noticeable on the Rottie and the Lab), and just in fantastic shape in general. Compared to, say, my aunts Rottweiler (who was 3yrs old when she rehomed him) who had dandruff galore, his skin was terrible, his breath/teeth were horrible, he always had ear infections, he was constantly itching/scratching, and was on "grocery store brands" his whole life. My grandma's Lab is the same way... she seems healthy, to a normal person who doesn't necessarily pay attention to dogs like I do, LOL, but I see an overweight dog, one who itches constantly, terrible gross teeth, dull coat, shedding like crazy, etc. All looked at as "normal dog stuff" by most. Oh, not to mention, they all poop a TON. I watch 2 Boxers on Science Diet, and I have never in my life seen dogs that poop as much as they do, and as big and smelly. SD-fed dogs in my experience all have this problem. The Rottie on TOTW has poops that aren't all that much bigger than Jackson's and they're easy to pick up.

*shrugs* I don't know... who knows really! Sometimes I second guess myself too. Is it really worth it? Who really knows. There hasn't been any good studies proving one either which way. I mean, I've been living off terrible foods for most of my life (pizza, fast food, sodas, etc) and I'm surprisingly healthy besides being a bit overweight. But I've recently made a huge change in my diet and I've already noticed my face clearing up, my energy levels are up, I'm more motivated in general, etc. Do I look any different to anyone else on the outside? Probably not. But I know it's healthier for me. Could Jackson survive and live a good life on Purina? Probably. But why NOT do better? If hard times came on, I wouldn't hesitate to feed a food like that. But I can afford more right now, so I might as well, I suppose.

Argh -- I just went on a total tangent and half of it had nothing to do with eye boogers. I'm being a blabber mouth. Sorry, I've got a lot of opinions, hahaha. I commend anyone who just read all that.

[Maximo]

Cold weather seems to be contributing to Max and Teddy's eye boogers. When we are out in the cold, I can see their eyes start to tear and when we return home, they have a good amount of black sludge in the corners of their eyes. I have been cleaning them thoroughly every evening and it seems to help keep the staining to a minimum.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Cold weather seems to be contributing to Max and Teddy's eye boogers. When we are out in the cold, I can see their eyes start to tear and when we return home, they have a good amount of black sludge in the corners of their eyes. I have been cleaning them thoroughly every evening and it seems to help keep the staining to a minimum.

I noticed that, too. When he runs around in the cold, his eyes tend to run more. In general, though, he really has no eye goop in the past 6 months. He usually wakes up with a little "crusty" as I call it, pick it out, he's good for the day, LOL.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Called my vet today about tear stains and gunk in eyes. This is what they told me: "Purchase Angel Eyes". Honestly, I felt like they didn't think it was that important. I am really picky about what Rosie eats and what I give her. Maybe I'll just deal with the tear stains and gunk. Who knows!!!!!???????

[butterfly]

Originally Posted by Lil Sis

The stuff I read said to add to drinking water --1 tsp to gall. or add to rinse water.. I don't know about cleaning the eye area with it. I would like to know if that is a possibility -- willing to try if it is.

Yes, ditzy me! I realized that after I posted.

[hugz4all4]

Originally Posted by Britster

It's just from what I've seen personally. I don't think there's enough evidence to prove what ingredients may or may not cause tear staining. Like I said, Jackson got terrible eye boogers on Fromm and Wellness, both of which are high quality foods, so maybe there was one little ingredient in there that bothered him. MAYBE it wasn't the food at all, but just environmental and it being a coincidence I just happened to be feeding it or something. Also, I think small dogs in general are more prone to them (as I think you said) so comparing big dogs vs. little dogs probably isn't a good comparison. Sometimes I think it's just genetics over food or environment.

I'm a dogsitter/walker and basically all my relatives have dogs too. I only know three dogs who eat "high quality" foods (A Rottie on TOTW, a Lab on Natural Balance, and a Beagle mix on Orijen). Maybe by pure coincidence, but those 3 dogs are in GREAT physical shape, their energy is awesome, their coats are sooo shiny and soft (it's especially noticeable on the Rottie and the Lab), and just in fantastic shape in general. Compared to, say, my aunts Rottweiler (who was 3yrs old when she rehomed him) who had dandruff galore, his skin was terrible, his breath/teeth were horrible, he always had ear infections, he was constantly itching/scratching, and was on "grocery store brands" his whole life. My grandma's Lab is the same way... she seems healthy, to a normal person who doesn't necessarily pay attention to dogs like I do, LOL, but I see an overweight dog, one who itches constantly, terrible gross teeth, dull coat, shedding like crazy, etc. All looked at as "normal dog stuff" by most. Oh, not to mention, they all poop a TON. I watch 2 Boxers on Science Diet, and I have never in my life seen dogs that poop as much as they do, and as big and smelly. SD-fed dogs in my experience all have this problem. The Rottie on TOTW has poops that aren't all that much bigger than Jackson's and they're easy to pick up.

*shrugs* I don't know... who knows really! Sometimes I second guess myself too. Is it really worth it? Who really knows. There hasn't been any good studies proving one either which way. I mean, I've been living off terrible foods for most of my life (pizza, fast food, sodas, etc) and I'm surprisingly healthy besides being a bit overweight. But I've recently made a huge change in my diet and I've already noticed my face clearing up, my energy levels are up, I'm more motivated in general, etc. Do I look any different to anyone else on the outside? Probably not. But I know it's healthier for me. Could Jackson survive and live a good life on Purina? Probably. But why NOT do better? If hard times came on, I wouldn't hesitate to feed a food like that. But I can afford more right now, so I might as well, I suppose.

Argh -- I just went on a total tangent and half of it had nothing to do with eye boogers. I'm being a blabber mouth. Sorry, I've got a lot of opinions, hahaha. I commend anyone who just read all that.

I enjoy reading your post whether or not I always agree with them.. They are generally very informative. I just wish that I could find that "miracle food" that all 4 of my dogs could eat. Ive been through so many different brands and had trouble with the food one way or another. As a repsonisble pet owner my dogs will eat the better food, but like I said before it just makes me wonder why some dogs have no trouble what so ever on any food fed to them but my dogs havso many issues . oh well another one of life's mysteries..lol..

[hugz4all4]

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie

Called my vet today about tear stains and gunk in eyes. This is what they told me: "Purchase Angel Eyes". Honestly, I felt like they didn't think it was that important. I am really picky about what Rosie eats and what I give her. Maybe I'll just deal with the tear stains and gunk. Who knows!!!!!???????

When I took Tucker in last year for his year old check up, I asked his vet what I could do about his eyes and she said that smaller toy dogs are more prone to eye tearing than larger dogs, to clean them on a daily basis with a warm wash cloth.. exactly what Ive been doing and it doesnt work..

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by hugz4all4

When I took Tucker in last year for his year old check up, I asked his vet what I could do about his eyes and she said that smaller toy dogs are more prone to eye tearing than larger dogs, to clean them on a daily basis with a warm wash cloth.. exactly what Ive been doing and it doesnt work..

Ha ha! I really thought you were going to say it did work! Lol

[Britster]

Originally Posted by hugz4all4

I enjoy reading your post whether or not I always agree with them.. They are generally very informative. I just wish that I could find that "miracle food" that all 4 of my dogs could eat. Ive been through so many different brands and had trouble with the food one way or another. As a repsonisble pet owner my dogs will eat the better food, but like I said before it just makes me wonder why some dogs have no trouble what so ever on any food fed to them but my dogs havso many issues . oh well another one of life's mysteries..lol..

Thank you -- I always look forward to your posts too. I'm a nerd who is interested in dog nutrition so I do like hearing and arguing both sides.

When I first got Jackson, I was very "well, all our dogs growing up did perfectly fine eating Kibbles n Bits!" But then I looked back and saw how unhealthy they actually were. Once I started doing research, I definitely completely changed my opinions! I let Jackson eat my family members dogs food if we go visit, it's never affected his stomach or anything, but with him not eating it on a daily basis, I can't really judge on one night of eating crappy food, ya know? He also gets Cesar wet food once a week as a 'treat'.

I'm sorry you've had so much trouble w/ food. What breeds are all your dogs? I know Tucker is a yorkiepoo.

[ritapatt]

Ziva's left eye was always twice as "gunky" as the right, now that we have switched to TOTW (pacific stream) the right eye is perfect the left 50 % better,I think the left has more hair growing towards it and am starting to think the food and hair growth are both involved.
BTW Brit I love your posts!-my wheaten looks great on the TOTW(3 months so far), even tho she was always on premium foods this one beats them all, The probiotics are great!

[hugz4all4]

Originally Posted by Britster

Thank you -- I always look forward to your posts too. I'm a nerd who is interested in dog nutrition so I do like hearing and arguing both sides.

When I first got Jackson, I was very "well, all our dogs growing up did perfectly fine eating Kibbles n Bits!" But then I looked back and saw how unhealthy they actually were. Once I started doing research, I definitely completely changed my opinions! I let Jackson eat my family members dogs food if we go visit, it's never affected his stomach or anything, but with him not eating it on a daily basis, I can't really judge on one night of eating crappy food, ya know? He also gets Cesar wet food once a week as a 'treat'.

I'm sorry you've had so much trouble w/ food. What breeds are all your dogs? I know Tucker is a yorkiepoo.

Lexee is my 4 pound toy poodle, Toby is my elder sheltie, and Abby is a beagle..

[gumbysuz]

As best as I can discern (thanks for the Google reference, Kathy), the eye gunk/diet relationship remains anecdotal. Unless your pet has a medical issue, eye gunk is just annoying and diet change may or may not improve it. Just like Jackson's mom is always saying, what works for one may not work for another. What does seem clear to me (no pun, here ) is we must keep our furbutt's eyes clean and dry to prevent bacterial infection from setting in. It all comes back to warm water, a cotton ball and consistency.

[candigirl]

Lexie's at that stage of the wild eye hair and I'm sure that's a big part of why they water so much. After a rough play she'll look up at me all smiles with a bunch of hairs poking her in her eyes, poor thing lol. I'm feeding her the best food so I'm hoping it stops once her hair grows out. Till then I just do the warm washcloth