As pet lovers, we know that dogs get teary eyes too like us humans. But as the owner of two chiweenies, I have noticed that they get teary eyes more than other dogs. I have become really curious about the subject and have done some research about it.
So, why do chiweenies get teary eyes? Chiweenies get teary eyes because of a variety of reasons. They can get teary eyes because of allergies, birth defects, debris, and irritations. They can also get teary eyes from more serious complications, such as having blocked tear ducts. You will need to consult a veterinarian to heal these serious complications.
Common reasons why chiweenies get teary eyes
Allergies
Allergies are a common cause of teary eyes among us humans. It’s not surprising that they are common causes of teary eyes among dogs too. After all, the eyes are very sensitive organs.
Your chiweenies can be allergic to a variety of allergens, such as dusts, grass, plants, and pollens. Their immune systems go on overdrive when they are exposed to these allergens. They get teary eyes as a result.
Keep your pets away from these allergens as much as possible. For example, if you see your chiweenies eating grass, you may want to pull their leash or grab their attention. Grass can be a danger not just for their digestive health but also for their eyes.
For severe allergies, consult a veterinarian. The veterinarian may give medications that can suppress the immune system’s overdrive or antihistamines.
Debris
Debris can also make chiweenies get teary eyes. It may be a simple debris that you can wipe off of your dogs’ eye areas. But it can also be serious. For example, debris can block your dogs’ tear ducts. Tears will accumulate in your dogs’ eye sockets and spill over. This can cause inflammation, irritation, and even infection.
Chiweenies are particularly vulnerable to debris. As small dogs, they are almost at ground level, where they are susceptible to debris. As dogs with big eyes like their chihuahua parents, they have a lot of room to catch debris into their eyes. And as energetic crossbreeds, it’s easy to imagine how physical activity can bring debris into their eyes.
Consult the veterinarian if you think your chiweenies have some kind of blockage in their eyes. The veterinarian will have to flush these foreign materials out of your dogs’ systems.
Epiphora
Epiphora is a condition that causes an abnormally abundant flow of tears. It is often caused by congenital defects such as distichiasis and entropion. Distichiasis is the turning of the eyelashes inward rather than outward. And entropion is the turning of the eyelids inward rather than outward. These conditions irritate your chiweenies’ eyes and cause an overflow of tears.
The thing is, dachshunds and chihuahuas are vulnerable to either defects. Because chiweenies are a mix of dachshunds and chihuahuas, it’s not surprising that they become vulnerable to these defects too. If your chiweenies get teary eyes because of these defects, there is not much you can do. You can consult the veterinarian, but the solution the veterinarian is likely to propose will involve surgery.
Long fur
Sometimes, the reason why chiweenies get teary eyes is not that complicated. Their eyes are simply irritated by their long furs. Chiweenies with protruding eyes like their chihuahua parents are more vulnerable to this.
The good news is, most chiweenies have short to medium coats. In fact, many of them don’t even need trims. But you do need to brush them to remove dead hair and distribute the natural oils across their coats.
How to prevent chiweenies from getting teary eyes
Wipe their eye areas regularly
Some chiweenies may have chronically teary eyes, especially those that have distichiasis or entropion. You have no choice but to wipe their eye areas regularly to keep them clean. It will not be a hassle, as it will only take literally a few seconds a day.
If you don’t wipe your chiweenies’ eye areas regularly, they may develop tear stains. These stains can become very prominent for light-colored chiweenies.
Regular wiping doesn’t just help chiweenies with chronically teary eyes. It also helps those that may have allergens or debris in their eyes. There is no downside in wiping the eye areas of your dogs. Just make sure to wipe around the eyes, not the eyes themselves.
Avoid excessive bathing
How often you should bathe your chiweenies will depend on a lot of factors, such as their coat length, general stinkiness, and desire to get dirty while playing. But generally speaking, you should give your chiweenies a bath once a month.
Excessive bathing will not just have a negative effect on the natural oils in their coats. It will also irritate their eyes. Avoid bathing your chiweenies too often. And if possible, use shampoos with mild ingredients, particularly those that claim to be gentle for dogs’ eyes.
Chiweenies’ eyes are also very sensitive, especially when they are still puppies, so it’s not a bad idea to give particular attention to their eye care.
Be mindful of their activities
Don’t let their small bodies fool you. Chiweenies are very energetic dogs. And as such, it’s easy to imagine how they can get debris into their eyes. They can roll over on your lawn and get grass in their eyes. They can dig up soil in your yard and get dirt sprinkled in their eye sockets. There are simply too many ways to put your chiweenies at risk of debris during physical activities.
Always keep an eye on your chiweenies while they are being physically active. If they are going overboard, tell them to stop and reward them appropriately.
Also be mindful of chiweenies you leave alone in your home. Chiweenies are at risk of getting separation anxiety. When they are anxious, they can become more physically active and put their eyes at risk too. Calm them down by putting them in a safe environment and keeping them occupied with toys while you are away.
Trim their coats in the veterinarian’s recommendation
Chiweenies are low-maintenance dogs. They usually have short to medium length coats that don’t really require trimming. You just have to brush them to remove dead hair and spread the natural oils across their coats.
But don’t be too complacent. Their furs can still be a problem. For example, your chiweenies can excessively scratch because they are getting irritated with their furs. They may hit their eyes and cause problems. It’s best to consult the veterinarian to know if trimming their coats will be necessary to keep them safe from eye problems.
When to be concerned of your chiweenies’ teary eyes
- Blocked tear duct. If you think your chiweenies have their tear ducts blocked by some kind of debris, consult the veterinarian immediately. The veterinarian can diagnose a blockage by using a non-invasive eye dye and see if the dye is being properly flushed.
- Conjunctivitis. The teary eyes of your chiweenies may be a symptom of a more serious complication such as conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the lining of your dogs’ eyes. If your dogs’ teary eyes are partnered with eye redness, inflammation, and mucus production, consult the veterinarian immediately.
- Imperforate lacrimal punctum. This is a congenital disorder wherein a dog is born without the proper tear duct openings. This can result in excessive tearing and the formation of tear stains around the eyes. Usually, surgery is the only way to fix this issue.
- Trauma. Your chiweenies can suffer from eye injuries, not just from the allergens and debris around them, but also from their own claws. Get their eye injuries treated in a veterinary clinic as soon as you can. If you don’t, they may lead to further complications, such as infections and corneal ulcers. Your chiweenies may end up losing their vision or their eyes.
Summary
Chiweenies can get teary eyes because of a variety of reasons. They can be as simple as allergens and debris irritating their eyes. They can be as complicated as birth defects and other medical conditions. The simple reasons can be prevented by properly caring for your chiweenies. And the complicated reasons can be diagnosed and cured by veterinarians.