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What causes tear staining in dogs’ eyes?What starts out as some naturally forming gunk around your dog’s eyes can quickly turn into big, brown tear stains if you don’t stay on top of good pet care and grooming habits. These stains are more apparent on white-furred dogs, as the pigment in their tears dyes the fur more easily. Tear stains also more commonly affect dogs breeds with shallow eye sockets, such as Pugs, Poodles, Malteses and Shih Tzus. Here are a few grooming tips that will help you to remove tear stains from your dog’s eyes: Buy a natural tear stain removerThe first product on your shopping list should be a good dogs’ tear-stain remover. If used daily, you should be able to see improvement around your dog’s eyes in no time. Divine Pets Tea Tree stain remover is a natural product which contains no peroxide, bleach or any other harsh chemicals, so it’s very safe to use on your pet daily. Simply rub the product on the affected area of your pet’s face and you should begin to see an improvement in the tear stains around your dog’s eyes within a few days. Only use products specifically made for pets as human products may be dangerous to your pet. Try clippers to remove tear stains from your dogs’ eyesIf the area around your dog’s eyes is proving a little too stained, use clippers to cut off any excess brown fur. This technique works well for breeds like Malteses, because not only is their fur snow-white, but it’s also a little longer and can be easily cut back to remove tear stains. For safety reasons, it’s important to use clippers, not scissors, around your dog’s eyes. The professionals at your local Petbarn Grooming salon can help you with clipping stained fur in delicate areas if you are concerned about the risks of doing this yourself. Regularly use eye wipes to remove stains on your dog’s eyesGood pet care involves cleaning the stains from around your dog’s eyes with pre-moistened wipes on a daily basis to get rid of the dust, dirt and gunk that contribute to the brown stains around their eyes in the first place. Well & Good Dog Eye Wipes will not only keep your dog’s face clean and help remove tear stained eyes, but they’ll help soothe irritated eyes. Visit your local vetIf the above advice doesn’t do the trick, or you’re concerned about the amount of gunk that is constantly building up around your dog’s eyes, visit your local Greencross Vets. Just as your eyes flush out foreign objects, so do your dog’s, so your vet should be able to ascertain the root cause of the problem. It may be their diet, irritation or other allergies that are causing their excessive tear staining.  How to prevent dog’s tear stains in futureTear staining is a natural process for dogs, so there’s only going to be so much that you can do to prevent tear stains from showing on your dog’s eyes. However, by following the advice already discussed you may be able to lessen the effects. Make sure you are properly maintaining your pet’s cleanliness, using natural tear stain removers and monitoring any allergies or irritation that could be causing excessive tear stains. Interested in more dog grooming advice? Browse our dog grooming articles. You can also read our article on how to how to clean your dog’s ears here. By: Christina Chan Some pet owners know the familiar signs all too well—a dark red or brown-colored stain around the inner corner of your dog’s eyes. Though generally not dangerous or painful themselves, tear stains in dogs are unsightly and sometimes signify an underlying medical condition. Getting to the root of your dog’s tear stains will help you remove them and prevent them from happening in the future. Dog Tear Stains: Assessing the Issue If you believe your dog has a tear stain problem, Chicago, Illinois resident and AKC Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Jerry Klein advises against trying to address the problem with over-the-counter remedies. “If you suspect something unusual, you should first get your dog assessed by a vet,” he says. There are a number of reasons why a dog may develop tear stains, and unless you get to the root cause, Klein believes you may inadvertently end up with an ineffective treatment or be missing a more serious medical condition. Causes of Tear Stains in Dogs There are a number of conditions that lead to tear stains in dogs. Here are five common causes: Porphyrin: Klein explains that a pigment known as porphyrin is excreted in tears, saliva and urine. Some of the iron that is released from the breakdown of red blood cells goes into porphyrin. The porphyrin that is contained in your dog’s tears causes the actual stain. Genetics: Certain breeds of dogs are more susceptible to tear stains, or it can simply be a case of a particular dog being predisposed towards getting tear stains. “There is a genetic basis for dogs that get tear stains and we do see it in certain types of dogs more than others,” says Klein. Also, dogs with light-colored fur will have more obvious tear-staining than will darker dogs. According to Klein, breeds commonly susceptible to tear stains include the Maltese, Shih Tzu, and Poodle. Brachycephalic (short nosed) dogs can be prone to tear stains as well. “The shape of the head and the way the eyes fit into the socket will affect whether a dog is prone to tear stains,” according to Klein. “This is because the connection to the muzzle can be configured in such a way that the tears accumulate” instead of flowing through the ducts that normally drain them away from the eye. Environment: Klein states that factors in a dog’s environment can also cause tear stains. For instance, water that is high in iron may be a culprit. “Consider bottled or distilled water as well-water often has a higher mineral content,” states Klein. Dogs may also have adverse reactions to plastic food bowls. Klein recommends switching to a stainless steel or ceramic bowl if you suspect your dog may be allergic. “You may see signs of redness and inflammation around your dog’s eyes, ears, nose and lips,” he says. These symptoms can be mistaken for tear stains. Infection: An infection of the skin around the eyes can cause symptoms that look like tear stains in dogs, says Klein. If the stain is brownish in nature, it’s possible it might be caused by yeast rather than bacteria. A vet should properly diagnose whether your pup has an infection and, if so, what microorganism is to blame. Infections will sometimes develop as a result of the chronic dampness that can occur with tear staining. Klein adds that infections typically are associated with odors and may cause itchiness and irritation. Abnormal Lashes and Ducts: At times, a dog may have ingrown or abnormal eyelashes or have a problem with a tear duct. Eyelashes can rub on and irritate the surface of the eye due to entropion, a condition where your dog’s eyelids fold inward. The eye responds by producing more tears than normal. Alternatively, if the tear duct isn’t emptying into the nasal cavity properly, your dog may develop tear stains. “Sometimes, you’ll find certain dogs with clogged tear ducts,” Klein explains. Preventing and Treating Tear Stains in Dogs Though it’s not recommended you treat tear stains without the advice of a veterinarian who has examined your dog, there are steps you can take to help prevent the occurrence of tear stains, especially if your canine is prone to them. Klein suggests taking care with day-to-day hygiene and maintenance. Have your veterinarian or groomer trim the hair close around the eye area to help prevent the accumulation of tears. Then use a wash cloth dampened with warm water or an eye cleaning solution to wipe the area. “It’s important to prevent the build-up of moisture in that area and keep the fur clean and dry,” says Klein. Other treatment options depend on your veterinarian’s diagnosis. However, Klein says common options include the use of antibiotics for infection, recommendations for dietary changes, and surgery for an eyelash-related issue. How can I get rid of my dogs tear stains naturally?Hydrogen Peroxide: Soak a cotton pad in a water-diluted hydrogen peroxide mixture (one part hydrogen peroxide with 10 parts water) and apply carefully to clean the stained area. It's important to take your time and be careful—you don't want to get any of the hydrogen peroxide in your dog's eye.
Why does my dog have so much tear stains?Dog tear stains are a result of excessive tear production, which is technically known as “epiphora.” Normally, your dog's tears drain through the eyelid and into an area called the nasolacrimal duct. From there, the tears then empty into the nose.
What do groomers use for tear stains?Tropiclean face shampoo (the blueberry kind) is soap free and many groomers use it to help rid of tear stains. If used often enough SOME clients have reported a lesser extent of tear staining.
What food causes tear stains in dogs?Be attentive to additives/preservatives, red meat and excess carbs in your pet's food. These often tend to cause inflammation and irritation, resulting in tear stains. A fresh, well-balanced diet is best in pet's who suffer from tear staining!
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