My dog sometimes has runny eyes. What might be causing this?

If your canine companion is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, chances are he’s in good health. But what if his eyes are red or runny?

One common culprit for watery eyes is conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the mucous membranes around the eyes, caused by dust, infection, or allergies.

Tearing can also result from a variety of other conditions, ranging from an eyelash or foreign body in the eye, to serious disorders that could affect your dog’s vision if left unattended.

Treatments vary with the diagnosis, and range from eyedrops to antihistamines to surgery. So if your pooch has persistent, watery eyes, take him to a veterinarian. His malady may be minor, or may indicate a more serious problem than meets the eye.

– Dr. Larry McDaniel, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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