You never know when your dog is going to get something lodged in its eye, especially if it spends a lot of time outside. Unfortunately, if your dog has long hair, it can be difficult to see the debris until the eye has gotten irritated. It's a good idea to check your dog's eyes each time they come in from a romp outside. If you do find debris in your dog's eyes, you'll need to clean them out as soon as possible. Here are three simple ways to remove debris that might be lodged in your dog's eyes.

Dab it with Cotton

Small particles of dirt and grass can usually be removed easily with a moist cotton ball. This method works particularly well for objects that have moved to the corner of the eye. Soak a cotton ball in saline solution and squeeze a small amount of the solution into the corner of the eye. Dab the object with your wet cotton ball. The object should attach itself to the cotton. Once the object has been removed, wash the eye with a small amount of saline solution and dry the area. This will remove any dirt that is too small for you to see.

Go For the Jet Stream Approach

If the object hasn't moved to the corner of the eye, you'll need to move it with moisture. Hold the eyelid open with one hand and gently squeeze a steady stream of saline solution into the affected eye with the other hand. Be sure to squirt the solution towards the corner of the eye. The stream of saline solution will wash the debris away from the center of the eye and into the corner where you can retrieve it without damaging the eye.

Visit the Vet

Once you've removed the foreign object from your dog's eye, you should take it to the veterinarian. Many foreign objects carry germs that can cause an infection. In addition, bristly weeds, small pebbles and even particles of dirt can scratch the delicate surface of your dog's eyes. Your veterinarian will be able to check your dog's eyes for injury, as well as provide a topical antibiotic ointment that will treat any infection it might have.

If your dog has gotten a foreign object in its eyes, it's going to need your help removing it. The information provided above will help you clean your dog's eyes. If your dog develops any redness, swelling, or discharge around the eye, be sure to visit a veterinarian, like those at Canal Road Animal Hospital, as soon as possible.