Does your dog suffer from watery eyes? What causes this and how can we prevent it?

Under normal circumstances, both dogs and humans produce a thin tear film that acts as a lubricant and flows to the nose via drainage channels. If tear production becomes excessive, drainage is insufficient and excess moisture accumulates on the dog's muzzle. A reddish-brown or reddish discolouration of the coat may occur under the inner corners of the eyes, often accompanied by skin irritation.

Technically, this condition of watery eyes in dogs is called "epiphora", but a more informal term might be "rusty tears". The discolouration is caused by pigments (porphyrins) present in the tears that are deposited on the coat. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable in dogs with white coats, although all dogs can be affected.

Excessive tear production in dogs is a common occurrence in both puppies and adults, but when should we really be concerned? It is certainly a good idea to take your dog to the vet for a check-up, as this professional can assess the situation based on information from the owner and a clinical examination. This will enable the vet to best help you find the most appropriate solution.

Excessive tearing in dogs is a symptom, not a specific disease, and can therefore be associated with various variables.

Causes of watery eyes in dogs

The causes can be diverse, but as an example, they can be divided into two main categories:

1. Problems related to the tear ducts and the eye:

• Narrowed tear ducts (often seen in Poodles)
• Bulging eyes (often seen in the English Bulldog breed)
• Infections (e.g. caused by bacteria or viruses)
• Trauma (e.g. blows or scratches)
• Eyelash abnormalities (e.g. if they grow towards the eye)
• Foreign objects (e.g. grass seeds)
• Eyelid abnormalities (e.g. if it is turned outwards)
• Tear gland disorders (e.g. prolapse, also known as 'cherry eye')
• Glaucoma (abnormal increase in eye pressure)
• Tumours

2. Problems not related to the tear ducts and the eye:

• Problems not related to the tear ducts and the eye:
• Allergies (both environmental allergies and food allergies)
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Unbalanced diet

Allergic reactions in pets, just like in humans, are becoming increasingly common. Allergies can be caused by environmental allergens such as pollen, dust, certain cleaning products and ornamental plants, or by food allergens such as the protein sources often given to pets. It is possible to prevent these allergic reactions by trying to avoid contact between the animal and allergens. For example, in the case of pollen allergies, it is necessary to avoid taking the dog to green areas where the allergy manifests itself, at least during the season in which this reaction is observed.

Reactions to food are also becoming increasingly common in dogs. Animals are not born with allergies or intolerances, but can become genetically susceptible to them if they are frequently exposed to the protein sources that their digestive system regularly encounters. The proteins most commonly associated with allergic reactions are those found in chicken and beef, which also happen to be the most commonly used in dog food. However, proteins can be of animal origin, but also from plant or grain sources, which is why it can be useful to combine new animal protein sources with alternative carbohydrate sources.

In the case of excessive tearing with orange discolouration, essential amino acids such as phenylalanine and tyrosine, which are ingested through food, also play a key role. This type of tear fluid, rich in waste products from protein metabolism, is caused by a diet high in tyrosine and phenylalanine. It is therefore necessary to first and foremost adjust the diet by choosing foods that are largely based on fish, such as herring, anchovies, trout, sardines and cod, as these contain less of these essential amino acids.