🐶 7 Common Causes of Pomeranian Watery Eyes (And How to Fix Them)
Pomeranian watery eyes are often caused by underlying issues like blocked tear ducts (Epiphora), allergies, or anatomical defects such as Entropion or Distichiasis. Excessive tearing can lead to secondary problems like tear staining and skin irritation. Treatment usually involves veterinary diagnosis using tests like the Jones Dye Test, followed by cleaning the area, managing allergies, or sometimes surgical correction of the anatomical cause.
Overview
If you own a fluffy Pomeranian, you might notice that sometimes their eyes seem just a bit too wet. This common issue, often signaled by tear stains in dogs on their light-colored fur, can range from a minor cosmetic annoyance to a symptom of a serious health concern. This guide walks you through why your beloved companion might be dealing with Pomeranian watery eyes, what the underlying causes could be, and exactly how you can treat and prevent the condition. Understanding the signs is the first step in keeping your Pom’s vision clear and healthy.
What is in Tears
Tears aren’t just water; they’re a complex, vital mixture designed to protect the eye. They consist of three primary layers. First, the outer oily layer slows down evaporation and keeps the tear film stable. Second, the thick middle layer, which we call the aqueous layer, contains water, salts, nutrients, and antibacterial agents to nourish and clean the cornea. Finally, the inner mucin layer helps the aqueous layer adhere evenly to the eye’s surface. This composition is essential for washing away irritants and keeping the eye moist.
Why Do Pomeranian’s Eyes Water?
Your Pomeranian’s eyes water when there’s an imbalance in the normal tear production and drainage system. Either the eye is producing too much fluid in response to irritation or injury, or the normal amount of fluid isn’t draining correctly. Think of it like a sink: if the faucet is running too fast (overproduction) or the drain is clogged (under-drainage), you end up with an overflow—and that’s exactly why you see eye discharge in Pomeranians. Pinpointing which issue is happening is key to successful treatment.
How Blinking Affects Tear Production
Blinking is much more than just a quick eyelid movement; it’s a critical part of tear function. Each time your Pomeranian blinks, it accomplishes three important jobs. It evenly distributes the three-layered tear film across the cornea, clearing any dust or debris. More importantly, blinking acts like a pump, pushing excess tears toward the tiny drain holes in the corner of the eye, known as the puncta. This action ensures continuous, healthy turnover of the tear film.
Major Causes of Pomeranian Watery Eyes Problems
Pomeranian eye problems are often behind the excessive moisture you see. They range from simple irritations to serious anatomical defects. Knowing the difference can help you recognize when a vet visit is needed urgently.
Pomeranian Allergies
Pomeranians can suffer from environmental allergies just like people do, which often cause Pomeranian watery eyes. When a dog is exposed to allergens—such as pollen, dust mites, or certain foods—their body releases histamine, leading to inflammation. This triggers the tear glands to work overtime, resulting in watery eyes, itchiness, and sometimes rubbing of the face.
Pomeranian Blocked Tear Ducts or Tiny Tear Duct Issues
A very common anatomical cause of persistent wetness is issues with the drainage system, frequently referred to as blocked tear ducts. Tears normally drain through two small holes (puncta) in the eyelids and down into the nose. If these ducts are too narrow (tiny tear duct issues), blocked by inflammation, or simply fail to develop correctly, the tears have nowhere to go but down your Pom’s face. This leads directly to Excessive tearing (Epiphora).
Corneal Injury
The cornea is the clear, protective outer layer of the eye. A corneal injury in dogs occurs when this delicate layer is scratched, often by playing in brush, getting hit by a twig, or even just scratching an itch. The immediate response to any corneal damage is a massive increase in tear production, redness, and usually pain, which the dog shows by squinting.
Corneal Ulcers
A corneal ulcer is essentially a deep, open wound on the surface of the eye. If a minor scratch isn’t treated quickly, or if the injury is severe, an ulcer can develop. These are extremely painful and represent a true emergency, as the eye is at high risk of rupture or secondary infection. You’ll notice profuse watering, cloudiness, and intense squinting if your Pom has an ulcer.
Pomeranian Entropion
Entropion in Pomeranians is an inherited condition where a portion of the eyelid rolls inward. When the eyelid is rolled in, the surrounding skin and eyelashes rub painfully against the surface of the cornea. This constant irritation causes a chronic increase in tear production and often leads to secondary issues like inflammation and corneal damage. Surgery is usually required to correct the position of the lid.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma in small dogs is a serious, painful condition involving increased pressure within the eyeball. This pressure builds up because the eye’s fluid (aqueous humor) isn’t draining properly. The condition causes the eye to water excessively as a response to the pain and the stress on the internal structures. Immediate veterinary intervention is critical to prevent permanent blindness.
Distichiasis
Distichiasis in dogs describes a condition where extra eyelashes grow out of the duct openings in the eyelid, causing them to point inward toward the eyeball. These errant hairs constantly scrape against the sensitive cornea. Naturally, the eye reacts to this constant irritation by tearing up heavily, trying to flush the painful hairs away.
Epiphora (Excessive Tearing)
Epiphora is the technical term for the symptom of excessive tearing, regardless of the cause. While it’s often due to drainage issues like blocked tear ducts, it can also be the result of any other irritation listed here. The result is consistently wet fur below the eyes and the resulting reddish-brown tear stains in dogs you see on light coats.
Conjunctivitis
Known commonly as pink eye, Conjunctivitis in dogs is the inflammation of the conjunctiva, the pink membrane lining the eyelids. Causes can include bacteria, viruses, allergies, or physical irritants. When your Pom has conjunctivitis, their eyes will usually be very red, itchy, and will produce excessive tears or thick mucus-like eye discharge in Pomeranians.
Acute Cases of Pomeranian Watery Eyes
An acute case means the watery eyes started suddenly and severely. This usually signals a direct irritant or a painful injury.
For example, if your Pomeranian was playing outside and suddenly starts pawing their face and tearing up heavily, they likely have a foreign body in their eye, such as dirt or a grass seed.
Always treat sudden, painful watery eyes as an emergency that warrants an immediate vet check.
Chronic Issues of Pomeranian Watery Eyes
Chronic Pomeranian watery eyes are those that persist over weeks or months, often worsening slowly.
These cases are less about sudden injury and more about long-term anatomical problems, such as tiny tear ducts, Entropion, or untreated Pomeranian allergies.
While less urgent than an acute injury, chronic watering still requires veterinary diagnosis to prevent secondary infections or permanent vision damage.
Testing for Pomeranian Watery Eyes
To figure out why your Pom’s eyes are watering, your veterinarian will run a few diagnostic tests.
- Fluorescein Stain Test: The vet applies an orange dye to the eye. If there’s a scratch or corneal injury in dogs, the dye will stick to the damaged area, making it visible under a blue light.
- Schirmer Tear Test (STT): This measures how much tear production is occurring, usually to rule out dry eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca or KCS), which can paradoxically cause watery eyes as the eyes attempt to compensate.
- Jones Dye Test: This specifically checks for blocked tear ducts. The vet places dye in the eye and observes whether it drains out of the nose within a few minutes. If it doesn’t, a blockage is confirmed.
- Tonometry: This tool measures the pressure inside the eye to check for Glaucoma in small dogs.
How to Clean Pomeranian Watery Eyes
Keeping the area clean is essential to manage tear stains in dogs and prevent secondary skin infections.
Step-by-Step Cleaning Process:
- Gather Supplies: You’ll need a vet-approved dog eye rinse / eye drops or sterile saline solution, and clean, soft cotton pads or gauze.
- Soften the Crust: Gently dampen the cotton pad with the solution. Hold it against the crusty areas below the eye for a few seconds to soften the dried tear discharge.
- Wipe Gently: Carefully wipe away the debris, always moving away from the eye itself. Never scrub the eye area.
Dry the Area: Use a separate dry cloth to pat the fur completely dry. Moisture encourages yeast growth, which causes the reddish-brown staining.
How to Apply Eye Medication For Your Pomeranian
Applying medication can be challenging, but a calm approach helps.
Step-by-Step Medication Application:
- Stabilize the Head: Sit on the floor and gently hold your Pomeranian between your knees or have a helper secure them. Tilt the head slightly back.
- Create a Pocket: With one hand, use your thumb and index finger to gently pull the lower eyelid down, creating a small “pocket.”
- Administer the Dose: Hold the tip of the medication bottle or tube a half-inch away from the eye. Don’t touch the eye with the applicator.
- Drops: Drop the prescribed number of drops directly into the pocket.
- Ointment: Place a thin line of ointment along the inner edge of the lower eyelid pocket.
Allow Absorption: Gently hold your dog’s eyelid closed for a moment to help the medication spread across the eyeball. Offer a treat immediately.
Pomeranian Watery Eyes Prevention
Preventing Pomeranian watery eyes often involves a proactive approach to grooming and health care.
- Regular Grooming: Keep the fur around the eyes and nose bridge trimmed short to prevent hairs from irritating the eye surface and wicking moisture.
- Wipe Daily: Use a clean cloth dampened with a safe dog eye rinse / eye drops or water to wipe the area under the eyes every day to prevent tear stains from setting.
- Manage Allergies: If you suspect Pomeranian allergies, work with your vet to identify triggers and manage them through diet changes or prescribed anti-histamines.
- Environmental Control: Minimize exposure to dust, strong cleaning chemicals, and smoke, which are common irritants that can lead to a canine eye infection.
Routine Checks: At your regular vet visits, ask your veterinarian to check the eyelid position to ensure no signs of Entropion in Pomeranians or Distichiasis in dogs are developing.
⚠️ Important Veterinary Disclaimer
The content of this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified animal health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional veterinary advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.
References:
MSD Veterinary Manual: An essential professional reference for conditions like Entropion, Glaucoma in dogs, and the mechanism of Corneal Ulcers.
VCA Animal Hospitals/Veterinary Partner (VIN): Widely used clinical resources that provide detailed overviews and diagnostic methods for Epiphora (Watery Eyes) and canine conjunctivitis.
Scientific Journals (e.g., Open Veterinary Journal, The International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine): Sources for specialized data on tear film composition, treatment efficacy of specific drops, and the management of chronic Epiphora.
PetMD and Pet Health Platforms: Sites that synthesize veterinary consensus into accessible guides for owners, covering symptoms and initial home care steps for Pomeranian watery eyes.
Peer-Reviewed Ophthalmology Studies: Articles detailing diagnostic procedures like the Fluorescein Stain Test and Tonometry, and the pathophysiology of conditions like Distichiasis.
People also ask:
The most common eye condition requiring treatment in dogs is often Conjunctivitis (pink eye), but Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) or “dry eye,” is one of the most frequently diagnosed chronic diseases .
Only plain saline solution or non-medicated artificial tears are generally considered safe for dogs, but you must avoid human drops containing redness reducers (like Visine), as these can cause severe toxicity.
Symptoms of dry eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca or KCS) include persistent, thick, yellow-green mucoid discharge, red and inflamed eyes, and frequent squinting or blinking due to irritation.
It is generally not recommended to put coconut oil directly in a dog’s eye, as it can be messy, potentially clog the tear ducts, and lacks proven efficacy for treating active eye conditions.
While not inherently prone to blindness more than other breeds, Pomeranians are genetically predisposed to conditions like cataracts, distichiasis, and primary glaucoma which, if left untreated, can lead to permanent vision loss.
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