The unattractive reddish-brown spots surrounding the white-furred pals’ eyes are recognized by dog owners. Although I hope that dogs that have tear stains on them don’t feel self-conscious about it, as pet parents, I know these stains can cause us inconvenience.
Why do those unsightly tear stains appear? You’ll be more prepared to clean and avoid dog tear stains in the future if you know how they occur.
If you search the term “tear staining” online, you’ll come across many solutions, ideas, and items for stopping or treating this popular issue in dogs. The extensive range of products on the market suggests that there isn’t a single miracle cure or method that benefits all dogs. But as a veterinarian, I’ll go over some of the best approaches to deal with it.
What are Dog Tear Stains?
Dog tear stains are reddish-brown stains that run down the sides of the dog’s muzzle or from the inner corner of the eye. While numerous owners of white dogs are familiar with the appearance of tear stains, it can be challenging to identify the distinctive color in dogs with darker fur.
Tear stains are an issue for numerous reasons. Tear stains are more common in dogs with white fur, large eyes, flat faces, short noses, and congenital tear duct problems.
Apart from being ugly for pet owners, they can indicate an underlying medical concern and cause infection if not cleansed.
What Causes Dog Tear Stains?
Tears normally flow from the eyes into the nose via a structure known as the nasolacrimal duct in humans and our dog friends. This is the reason when you cry, your nose runs!
These same ducts carry tears from our pets’ eyes to their noses, even though they don’t usually cry when they’re sad. Usually, differences in the shape of the eyelids that result in tears running over the face rather than down the nasolacrimal duct are the root cause of dog tear stains.
Most dogs with tear stains don’t have a root eye condition, while it’s possible that your dog has a clogged nasolacrimal duct or another condition that’s producing too many tears. Having said that, if your pet has never had tear stains and they are suddenly appearing, visit your veterinarian.
Porphyrin is a dye molecule containing iron that gives dog tear stains their distinctive reddish-brown hue. Porphyrin is released as the body breaks down red blood cells. Dogs emit this chemical in their saliva, bile, urine, and tears.
The porphyrin in tears will discolor the fur if discharged from the eyes excessively.
Why Does My Dog Have Tear Stains?
Dog tear stains can appear on your pet for several reasons. Here are some common causes:
Ingrown Eyelashes or Hair
Overgrown hair or eyelashes stuck in the tear ducts could be the cause of your dog’s increased eye tears.
Allergies
Allergens can cause your dog to produce too many tears, whether from the transition of the seasons or even the tap water they consume.
Shallow Eye Sockets
Some dog breeds have facial characteristics that can cause tear stains more frequently, such as shorter noses and sunken eye sockets.
Blocked Tear Drainage Holes
Precisely referred to as puncta, tear drainage holes might become obstructed due to past infections or excessive scar tissue, leading to improper drainage of tears.
Dog tear stains are typically common and easily removed. On the other hand, some cases can be connected to other medical conditions. For instance, tear stains with a foul smell and a brownish shade rather than a red one may be signs of a yeast infection. To find out more about the specific conditions of your dog and the reason for the tearing, always see your veterinarian.
Best Way to Stop Dog Tear Stains
Since there are many ways to treat tear stains, you should visit a veterinarian before attempting self-treatment. Your veterinarian will identify the problem’s cause and devise a treatment strategy.
- Flushing the eyes might be sufficient to lessen tear production if the cause is irritation. Your veterinarian may give you antibiotics or medicated drops if your dog has an eye or ear infection.
- Surgery or electrolysis may be necessary for hereditary disorders or problems with the eyelids or lashes.
- Your dog may require an antihistamine or a dietary adjustment if allergies are the root problem.
- Furthermore, there are wipes designed especially to help remove tear stains.
- If stress or an unhealthy diet is the root of the problem, you and your veterinarian should talk about making some lifestyle adjustments. These will likely involve increasing activity, making dietary adjustments, and converting to a non-plastic food bowl.
- A grain-free diet should not be adopted without consulting your veterinarian because it has been related to certain heart problems.
How To Get Rid of Dog Tear Stains?
Dog tear stains can occur for a variety of reasons, but some methods for removing them are typically very successful. However, keep in mind that you should get the dog’s eyes checked out by a veterinarian if there are any significant problems, such as red, goopy dog eyes, an infection, or an excessive discharge.
Use a tear stain remover for dogs to clean their face and stop further staining if the stains are the only result of too much porphyrin or non-medical problems.
Make sure all medical and environmental issues have been checked out before attempting to erase dog tear stains. Here are some steps to follow to handle dog tear stains:
- Have the water in your tap tested. For your dog, use bottled or distilled water instead of tap water if it has significant iron and other mineral content.
- Discuss the tear stains with your veterinarian and have them rule out any potential medical issues.
- Consider the breed of your dog and any physical characteristics that may worsen tear staining.
- Evaluate your dog’s surroundings and search for potential stressors. Steer clear of air fresheners, incense, smoking, and other items that can irritate your dog’s eyes.
- Keep an eye on your puppy during the teething phase. To ensure that your dog is teething normally, get in touch with your veterinarian.
Feeding your dog omega-3-rich dried pollock can be a great help in managing tear stains!
How To Remove Dog Tear Stains Naturally?
With basic items found around the house, dog tear stains can be naturally removed. Here is a list of the top natural, do-it-yourself, and waste-free dog tear stain removers:
Mixture of Hydrogen Peroxide and Water
One part hydrogen peroxide to ten parts water is your go-to homemade dog tear cleaner. Using a cotton ball, apply the mixture under your dog’s eyes after stirring it. After drying, give it a warm water wash and rinse. Take care to prevent hydrogen peroxide from getting into your dog’s eyes.
Baking Soda and Water Mix
To remove dog tear stains, mix some warm water and baking soda into a paste. Brush the paste into the stains. After it dries, use a moist towel to remove it. Continue doing this for a few days until the tear stains are removed.
Coconut Oil
You can use cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil to remove tear stains from your dog’s fur by rubbing it on the stain until it goes away. Usually, this takes a few days.
White Vinegar
Using white or apple cider vinegar is another method of getting rid of tear stains.
Make sure to avoid the direct contact of vinegar with your dog’s eyes.
Best Dog Food for Tear Stains
Here are some recommended foods to avoid tear stains in dogs:
Dried Pollock
Dried pollock is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. One of the fundamental reasons for excessive tearing and staining is inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids aid in reducing inflammation. In addition to offering these healthy fats, dried pollock is a lean protein that is easy for dogs to digest.
Lee&Pol combines omega-3-rich dried pollock with freeze-dried fruits and vegetables to create the perfect treat for dogs with tear stain issues!
Carrots
Another fantastic item for preventing tear stains is carrots. These bright orange vegetables are an excellent source of vitamin A, which is fundamental for maintaining healthy eyes. Vitamin A can lessen inflammation that causes eye stains and keeps them moisturized.
Blueberries
Not to be overlooked are the high-antioxidant blueberries! Anthocyanins, found in blueberries, help strengthen blood vessels surrounding the eyes and reduce inflammation. As a result, leakage and stains may be reduced. In addition, blueberries help maintain a strong immune system, which benefits eye health in general.
Beets
Beets are rich in betalains, which are powerful antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and support eye health. They also contain nitrates, which can improve blood flow and may help alleviate tear staining caused by poor circulation.
Mango
Mangoes are an excellent source of vitamin C and beta-carotene, both of which are important for maintaining eye health and reducing inflammation. They can help combat tear staining caused by allergies or infections.
Kabocha Squash
Kabocha squash is rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C, making it a great choice for supporting eye health and reducing inflammation that may contribute to tear staining.
Conclusion
Although dog owners may find unattractive dog tear stains bothersome, there are practical solutions available. Consult your veterinarian to recognize the underlying cause since it may range from allergies to problems with the tear ducts. Next, consider using baking soda combinations or coconut oil as natural ways to remove any stains.
Future tear stains may also be avoided by switching to premium dog food with fewer ingredients that contain components like dried pollock, carrots, and blueberries. You can help keep your dog’s face spotless and tear-free with a little detective work and a stain-fighting diet. This frequent dog issue can be resolved with a little attention.
FAQ
Tear staining may be aggravated by the protein source in your pet’s diet. Because red meats include a lot of iron, certain pets may develop more noticeable tear stains. Consider removing red meats from your pet’s diet and see if that helps.
In dogs, unexpected tear staining may indicate the presence of an allergen or eye infection, a blocked tear duct, or an unfamiliar environmental irritant. Also, check for any medical causes with your veterinarian.
Persistent tear stains may require veterinary attention to rule out any underlying health issues causing excessive tearing. Your vet may recommend specific treatments or changes to your dog’s diet or environment.
The main causes of dog tear stains are excessive tearing from blocked tear ducts, facial structure, allergies, and irritants. The iron-rich porphyrin in tears is what stains the fur reddish-brown.
You can clean your dog’s tear stains using a wet cloth or cotton ball using plain warm water, a baking soda solution, or a dog-safe eye-cleaning product. Avoid getting any moisture or solution in the eyes.
Certain dog breeds are more susceptible to tear stains due to their facial anatomy and tear production. Breeds such as Maltese, Shih Tzu, Poodle, and Pekingese are commonly affected by tear staining.
Yes, tear stains can sometimes indicate an underlying health issue. Conditions such as allergies, infections, blocked tear ducts, or anatomical issues may cause excessive tearing and tear staining in dogs.
