Sleepies....

[Lisa Carroll]

Hi Everyone-

 

New to the board and to the goldendoodle world.  We have a beautiful 13 week F1B Multi-Gen Goldendoodle name Dunkin.  What do you use to clean the sleepies out of their eyes and to prevent that tear stain (?).  Right now I juse use warm water on a paper towel.  Thank you.

 

Lisa

[Camilla and Darwin]

Well, the search function isn't working... but we have had past discussions on this. In fact, there is a quite infamous discussion on this. LOL.

Many of us just pick them off with our fingers. I've also used a fine toothed comb, and it's worked great.

[Carol and Banjo]

Camilla is right.....I asked the same question when Banjo was a pup....(the sleepies seem to pass as they get a bit bigger)...I found it easiest to use my finger...and now...don't gag...but Banjo LOVED to lick it off before I had a chance to wipe it on a tissue. I never had to struggle to clean his eyes....he thought it was great to get that yummy treat!

[Camilla and Darwin]

That was exactly what the infamous discussion talked about. LOL. Lots of DKers do it, it seems to be a great way to improve their dog's opinion on the process. I can't help but gag a little though...  :-)

[F, Calla & Luca]

I do it all the time.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

My vet suggested using a flea comb which works great.  As they have gotten a little older there is not as much gunk...

[Smita, Ollie and Juno]

I use a fine toothed comb. Can't bring myself to touch it. I also use a wet tissue to clean the residue.

[Jennifer and Jack]

If I was to be honest I would say more often then not I use my fingers.. I do not let him eat it because I think I would gag.  I sometimes use one of Jacks wash clothes and use just plain warm water.

 

[Michael Gurley]

I also use my fingers. I've never used a wet paper towel since I've never noticed staining or goo. I don't let her eat it, but if it makes her like the process more, I might start letting her!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I just pick them off and feed them to Cooper. She loves them but DH thinks its nasty - I dread to think where he wipes/throws then as he doesnt use tissue.....

 

I find a small amount (and i mean VERY SMALL) of apple cider vinegar mixed into her food a few times a week really helps in reducing the amount of sleepies (or eye crusties as we call them, though sometimes they are soft). I give Cooper half a CAP/lid full in 1 meal 3 or 4 times a week (shes 60lbs). She doesnt like the taste so i also add Omega oil and either some canned food, liver crunchies or Natural Balance chubb to mask the taste a bit. Whether it helps with tear stains I do not know as Cooper is chocolate, but i have heard it may help.

 

Food is a good way of helping to reduce tear staining.... a good quality kibble (with no corn, wheat, beet pulp, soy) helps, and a raw diet is supposed to give great results. Check out the food group for food reccomendations

 

there are lots of topical creams and lotions and washes available to help with tear stains. Anything with Oregon Grape in it apparently works well. stay away from Angel Eyes OLD FORMULA as it contains antibiotics which you do not want for your dog long term (especially for something cosmetic). Angel eyes NEW FORMULA has Oregon grape in it, as do several other products

[Jennifer Tramell]

My Charlotte had similar issues when she was Dunkin's age.  I just used my fingers and trimmed the hair where it stained.  As she grew, the staining seemed to stop.  I don't know if she had less eye running/discharge or if I didn't notice it due to keeping it trimmed.  I don't keep her face trimmed super short but I do keep the hair from around her eyes. I've attached a pic just so you can see how I keep their eyes trimmed.  Charlotte is 7 months old now and, other than pulling off an occasional crustie, it isn't an issue.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

For my old Bichon Frise (similar to mini poodle) we used to give her soy lecithin (from the drug store - gel caps) to prevent the tear stains.  Her breeder claimed it would help the eye gunk "clump" instead of running and it worked - Yoshi never had tear stains.

 

When we got Yoshi we didn't really research much into it, but a soy-based product didn't seem dangerous.  You may want to do a little research before using it. :)