There are several common reasons dogs have watery eyes, and pinpointing the cause usually depends on accompanying signs and the dog’s breed and history. Here’s a quick guide to help you assess what might be going on and when to seek veterinary care. What watery eyes can indicate

• Allergies or irritants: Seasonal or environmental triggers (pollen, dust, smoke, strong scents) can cause tearing, itchiness, and redness.
• Tear drainage issues: Some dogs have narrow tear ducts, structural eye aspects (bulging eyes, shallow sockets), or congenital openings that don’t drain tears properly, leading to epiphora.
• Eye surface irritation or infection: Dust, foreign bodies, or infections (bacterial, viral, or fungal) can make tears flow more copiously.
• Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) or other tear film problems: Paradoxically, dry eye can trigger compensatory tearing and mucous discharge.
• Eyelid or eyelash problems: Entropion (lid folds inward), distichiasis (eyelashes growing inward), or other eyelid abnormalities can rub the eye and cause tearing.
• Breathing or facial anatomy: Brachiophalic (short-nosed) breeds often have shallower orbits and more tear overflow, even with normal tear drainage.
• Less common but serious causes: Corneal ulcers or ulcers from trauma, glaucoma, tumors, or systemic conditions can present with tearing along with pain or vision changes.

What to look for alongside watery eyes

• Color and consistency: Clear tearing versus thick, colored, or crusty discharge.
• Eye appearance: Redness, swelling, squinting, pawing at the eye, or a rubbing of the eye.
• Other signs: Sneezing, nasal discharge, coughing, lethargy, reduced appetite, or changes in vision.
• Breed risks: Some brachycephalic breeds (like Pugs, bulldogs, Shih Tzu, Pekingese) commonly show tear overflow due to anatomy, but still benefit from veterinary check-ups if there are changes.

When to seek veterinary care urgently

• Eyes are red, very painful, or there is squinting, cloudiness, or visible trauma.
• There is persistent or foul-smelling discharge, or the eye is markedly swollen.
• Vision seems impacted (needing to bump into things, reluctance to move in familiar surroundings).
• The tearing persists or worsens despite environmental changes, or your dog is showing systemic signs (lethargy, fever).

What you can do now (quick at-home steps)

• Check for obvious irritants: Look for foreign bodies or debris in the eye. Do not attempt to remove large objects with fingers or any tools.
• Gently wipe away discharge with a clean, damp cloth or using saline if advised by a vet.
• Avoid applying human eye drops or medications unless specifically prescribed.
• Monitor for other symptoms (nasal discharge, coughing, facial swelling) and note any triggers or seasonal patterns.

If you’d like, provide additional details to help narrow it down:

• Your dog’s breed, age, and whether the eyes are always watery or just episodic.
• Any other signs (redness, swelling, squinting, crusts, color of discharge).
• Recent exposure to dust, smoke, pollen, or changes in environment.
• Whether there is a known history of eye problems or allergies.

Based on typical scenarios, most of the time watery eyes in dogs are due to benign causes like allergies or minor irritants, but persistent tearing, changes in eye appearance, or any signs of discomfort should prompt a veterinary examination to rule out infections, tear drainage problems, or more serious conditions. If you want, I can help you prepare a list of questions to ask your vet or help you track symptoms over a few days to share with them.