When there is a dog eye crusty build-up to deal with, it’s important to understand what the underlying condition is.
This can make it easier to remove the black crust from around a dog’s eyes safely. You do not want to inflame the area and/or do something that will hurt the dog.
Before doing this, why is there black crust around a dog’s eyes?
The black crust around a dog’s eyes is most commonly seen due to tear staining. Pigment in the dog’s tears dries around the eye causing it to blacken and harden. Other reasons can include an eye infection, allergies, or blocked tear ducts.
To remove the black crust around a dog’s eyes, it’s recommended to wash the area, use a warm cloth to further dampen the crust, and then remove it by hand. Do this gently to make sure the dog is comfortable.
It’s common for a dog to get apprehensive about what’s happening. Do this patiently and the black crust will come off.
Here is more on how to remove black crust from around a dog’s eyes.
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How To Remove Black Crust Around Dog’s Eyes
1. Clean The Area
When it comes to a dog eye discharge home remedy, it’s all about preparing the area.
You are going to do this with a simple piece of cloth.
Sometimes, there will be debris and/or irritants that are around the eye. If the area has not been cleaned in a while, you will want to take the time to clean it now.
This will make it a lot easier to move forward with the remaining steps in this process. Otherwise, the debris is going to get in the way.
While it’s important to prevent a dog’s eye boogers, it’s important to start with the basics. This includes cleansing the area around the eyes.

2. Dampen The Area Using A Warm Wet Cloth
When the area around the dog’s eyes has been cleaned, it’s now time to inspect the black crust.
Is it hardened?
It is likely in a hardened state, which means you can’t pull it off right away. You are going to have to think about how the dog is feeling and it should come off easily. To do this, you will need a bit of moisture.
In general, you will want to dampen the area around the dog’s eyes.
This is the best way to get rid of the black crust around a dog’s eyes.
Removing tear stains from a dog’s eyes will come down to dampness. To do this, you will want to wet a cloth with warm water. Now, take this wet cloth and press it on top of the black crust for a few seconds.
3. Remove The Crust Gently
Once you have dampened the area around the dog’s eyes, it is time to remove the black crust gently.
It will not require a lot of force.
If you still feel like the black crust is hard around a dog’s eyes then it is time to use the warm cloth again. You will want to press it onto the area for a few more seconds to ensure the black crust is wet.
At this point, you will want to remove as much of the black crust as you can. It should come off easily.

4. Dry The Area
You have to take the time to dry the area. You don’t want anything to be left behind as that will not only look bad but it is also going to irritate the dog.
You also don’t want the black crust to go back into the dog’s eyes.
To ensure this is done safely, you are going to dry the area with a clean cloth. This will get rid of the moisture that is in the area from before.
Final Thoughts
What causes black crust around a dog’s eyes?
The black crust around a dog’s eyes is commonly caused by what is known as tear staining. This refers to a pigment that is caused by tears that harden around the dog’s eyes. Other reasons can include allergies, an infection, or blocked tear ducts.
Begin the process by removing the black crust around the dog’s eyes using the steps in this guide.
A dog with black crusty eyes won’t be a pleasant sight but this can be handled quickly. If there are other reasons for this happening, you will want to consult with a vet as soon as you can. This will make sure the black crust does not keep coming back as the dog tears up.
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