But they can be much harder to see on pups with darker hair. Keep reading to learn what tear stains are, how to get rid of them, and how to prevent them from occurring in the first place. Long hair that curls into your dog’s eyes can wick tears away from the eye and down the face. I wipe their face with baby wipes, but gently around their eyes. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The stretched eyelid can lead to tear stains even if the noses are not particularly short if the dog’s eyes are bulging or “bug-eyed”. ), and make sure their water dish doesn’t have any fine cracks or scratches that could be harboring bacteria. As we’ve explained above, the first step to preventing dog tear stains is cleaning them early and often. How do you think about the answers? Dog’s eyes are pretty much self maintaining but occasionally you do run into problems and need to take some steps to clean them. You should also make sure they only drink out of clean water sources (no puddles! Second, as we described in the causes section above, longer hair can contribute to tear stains in a number of ways. If your dog has short hair and you’re not able to trim it, the same general principle applies. Dog tear stains may be caused by a blocked tear duct, epiphora, or other health issues. There are various factors to include the age of the dog, health status of the dog and the activity levels of your pet dog. However, most of these treats contain harsh antibiotics, including tylosin, which can do more harm than good for your dog’s body if used in perpetuity. Getting vaseline in your dogs eyes can cause burning and blindness. Porphyrins are iron containing molecules that are produced when the body breaks down red blood cells. Managing epiphora in your dog is not that difficult if you understand what causes it. Of course, this will demand more money or more time, depending on which option you choose. Bichon Frise, Maltese) as well as breeds prone to epiphora,1 or “weepy eyes” (e.g. For the most part, tear stains are purely a cosmetic problem that do not really need to be treated. These stains are more pronounced on dogs with white or lighter fur (e.g. You may need to consult a vet and/or test different solutions to identify the source of the problem. After 3 months, I got rid of the dark tear stains. Here are some natural remedies you’ll often see other dog owners recommend, as well as our thoughts on them. Again, we haven’t seen hard evidence that this will help staining, but yogurt is a healthy and safe treat for your dog (as long as they’re not lactose intolerant! Whilst there’s no miracle answer to eliminating tear staining, this article helps you understand why it happens and what you can do about tear staining i… Get your answers by asking now. Anyone got a remedy for tear stains around dogs eyes.Someone suggested wash around eyes with boiled water,pat dry then rub some vaseline around eyes.This apparently stops tears stain the fur.Anyone tried this Do not apply yogurt directly to your dog’s face. Specific foods, such as Forza10’s Sensitive Tear Stain Plus, claim to be made specifically to eliminate tear stains. One brand that doesn’t include tylosin is Petpost’s Tear Stain Soft Chews. If your pup just tackled your pile of freshly raked leaves or went for a romp through a pollen-filled field, it’s highly likely they’ll have irritated eyes a few hours later. Consider giving them only filtered water for a few weeks to see if that makes a difference. Shih Tzu also fall into this category as well as pugs. COVID widow grieves loss of 44-year-old husband. However, apple cider vinegar is safe for dogs in the amounts mentioned above and there is anecdotal evidence that it can improve gut health and digestion, so you can try it if you want. ), so feel free to try it out. The eye responds by producing more tears than normal. Why did the Irish develop the Irish Wolfhound  in around 1885 when the last wolf in Ireland was killed in the  year 1786? A stainless steel water dish works best for this reason. Those dealing with tear stains on white dogs may be overjoyed to hear this promise. There are also many dog tear stain treats available that contain enzymes and supplements to help prevent tear stains. Use it every day until you notice the stains are gone and then cut down to 3-4 times a week. These stains are more pronounced on dogs with white or lighter fur (e.g. Dogs Prone to Tear Stains Any dog with white hair on his face, especially if he has facial wrinkles or long hair or whiskers on his face, is prone to tear staining. They've been driving me crazy!Can i use vaseline?And if not can you list some stuff that i can use.Thanks. Eyelashes can rub on and irritate the surface of the eye due to entropion, a condition where your dog’s eyelids fold inward. Dog foods for Tear Stains. How to Remove a Tear Stain in Dogs. If your dog is prone to excessive tear stains, talk to your vet about whether antibiotics could help. Short-nosed dog breeds are easy to spot and they’re often lap dogs. Daniel is a professional journalist, marketer, and one of the co-founders of The Dog Tale. The reddish color comes from porphyrins, a naturally occurring chemical your dog excretes through their saliva, tears, urine, and waste. Due to their facial structure, brachycephalic dogs are more prone to certain issues, often related to breathing. Use a warm cloth to wash the eyes, keep the hair trimmed well around the eyes and that Angel eyes supplement really does work. How to Remove Tear Stains from Your Dog. Tear stains (or poodle eyes) are common issues which leave dark brown marks under dog’s eyes. Do not use anything near your dogs eyes unless it's made specifically for a dog's tear stains. I recommend buying Top Performance brand tear stain remover. With white-coated breeds such as Bichons Frises, many at some point in their life will develop those very distracting, ugly, red-brownish tear stains under Top talent agency drops Armie Hammer amid scandal, Defying warnings, students pack street after rivalry win, Suze Orman's top tips on how to spend and save wisely, Supertall tower living can fall well short of luxury, Actor calls America's political divide 'another pandemic', 'Hustlers' actor on who should get transgender roles, California man leads police officers on epic 6-hour chase, 4 skiers dead after causing avalanche in Utah. That’s why you should consult your veterinarian before giving your dog an over-the-counter antibiotic, such as tylosin or tetracycline. You’ll be best off upgrading your dog’s diet to all-natural, human-grade ingredients, such as you’d get through a meal plan from NomNomNow or Ollie Dog Food, or by cooking their meals yourself. “The stains are often accompanied by eye discharge, but not always.”. To get rid of tear stains, clean and trim the stained area regularly and improve your dog’s diet to combat underlying conditions. Finance, NASDAQ, NewsMax, ValuePenguin, LendingTree, and LendEDU. Brown tear staining, especially around white-coated dogs’ eyes, can be annoying and become a health issue. This doesn’t change your price or our recommendations. Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers). Similar to apple cider vinegar, some dog owners and experts suggest giving your dog a teaspoon of plain, unsweetened yogurt each day to improve their gut bacteria, thereby preventing tear stains. Our guide to the best dog tear stain remover explains your options while taking safe, natural ingredients into consideration, so you can find the remover that will work best for your dog. Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers). If you’re considering hydrogen peroxide, you’d be better off using Bodhi Dog’s Tear Stain Remover, which includes peroxide supplemented with other ingredients, such as lemongrass oil and tea tree oil, to help fight the bacteria without being so harsh on your dog’s skin. First, stained hair won’t last as long, since you’ll trim it more frequently, and the shorter hair will be easier to clean. I know it. Permeating a dog’s face, they originate from the inner corner of the eye. To do this, you’ll need a good dog tear stain remover. These can come in liquid, powder, paste, or wipe form. Prevent dog tear staining by giving your dog the best dog food. However, they can appear unsightly, and there are a few underlying health issues you’ll want to investigate to resolve the problem. When tears containing porphyrins sit on the hair for any period of time, staining will occur. Which breed(s) of dogs are very friendly and playful? You could also experiment with other food additives, such as the plain, unsweetened yogurt or apple cider vinegar we discussed above, although we’re unsure of their effectiveness. Some whitening products contain harsh chemicals that could irritate your dog’s skin, while others are less than transparent about what ingredients they contain in the first place. Do … Most of the time, these tear stains are caused by nothing more than a little bit of your rotation in your dog’s eyeball. There’s a lot you can do to mitigate staining. However, there’s a reason your vet or doctor only ever prescribes antibiotics in limited doses. We may earn a commission if you buy something through our site. Dog Tear Stain Home Remedy tapanuth/iStock. Still have questions? What Are Tear Stains? Liquid removers are good for softening dried eye crust and stripping them from your dog’s hair. It can be bought on Petedge.com I'm a dog groomer and use it allot. Getting vaseline in your dogs eyes can cause burning and … However, there are other steps you can take if you want to mitigate the chance of stains occurring in the first place. 9-Step Guide to Using Coconut Oil for Dog Tear Stains 1. Wipes are best for physically removing the gunk that has built up around your dog’s eyes, and powder removers are really only good for keeping your dog’s face dry—we don’t usually recommend them. Apart from regular cleaning and grooming, the only other way to eliminate tear stains is by preventing them from occurring in the first place. And consider upgrading your dog’s diet to food that doesn’t contain cheap fillers. Chemical-conscious dog owners often wonder how to clean dog tear stains naturally. Tear stains usually appear as a brown or rusty-red stain on the insides of your dog’s eyes as well as around the mouth and private areas. We use cookies on this site to optimize site functionality and give you the best possible experience. Just make sure you’re using an eye rinse meant for use directly on your dog’s eyes, such as Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Pet Eye Wash, and not simply a liquid tear stain remover that’s meant to be used around the eyes. Or perhaps you want your dog to explore the vegan dog diet, whatever the case may be, Natural Balance’s vegan dog food can help to remove dog tear stains as we previously saw in the V-Dog case. The theory is that this can alter the acidity of your dog’s pH balance, which prevents new stains from forming. Some of the causes of tear stains on dogs include blocked tear ducts, health issues, and allergies, among others. Learn more. You could buy these tear wipes or that angel thing you put in food so the stains would be gone. Cheap over-processed food and low-quality water sources can expose your dog to additives and minerals that lead to tear-stained eyes. why do some people get a dog and not bother with it much? His work has been featured on Frontline Education, Yahoo! Oddly enough, the older Bichon may have a problem with dry eye and this dog may also have some eye staining. The best way to remove tear stains is regular grooming, but you’ll need to determine the underlying cause to prevent them from forming in the first place. Clean the area regularly to prevent new stains from setting in, and wait for the hair to naturally replace itself via shedding. The case is closed on that one. Use all the previous suggestions if you'd like temporary removal. The best way to diagnose the cause of your dog’s tear stains, is to take them to the vet. Your dog’s vet is a source of great advice as it relates to dietary guidelines on how to nourish your dog in a healthy way. Everything You Wanted to Know About Tear Stains in Dogs Pet owners often seek advice on how to treat the messy, frustrating problem of tear staining in dogs. Brachycephalic dog breeds range to include all dogs with short noses (including the pug, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Pekingese, Boston terrier, French bulldog, and many more). Dogs get seasonal allergies just like humans do, and this can lead to excessive watering and tear-stained eyes. In dogs, tear stains can sometimes be caused by the excessive production of molecules called porphyrins. Alternatively, if the tear duct isn’t emptying into the nasal cavity properly, your dog may develop tear stains. It works for me. Mild antibiotics can also be used, after consulting your vet. Although it doesn’t bother the dog it upsets you that he doesn’t look his best. Did NFL MVP Rodgers just announce his engagement? It takes a few uses to get the tear stains gone but it works wonders. This may be correctable via antibiotics. I have two Chihuahuas and they tear up all the time. Some of these porphyrins are excreted through tears, saliva and the pads of the feet. The best examples of short-nosed dog breeds are Maltese terriers and Shih Tzu. These are some common causes: The best way to remove dog tear stains is by cleaning the area early and often, before the stain has a chance to set in. Use paper towels to absorb the excess water around your dog’s mouth after drinking water. You'll have to decide for yourself how important it is and what you're willing to do to keep your dog tear stain free. But there is maybe one way they could get just a little bit cuter—addressing those tear stains under their eyes. A healthy diet that consists of real, whole foods won’t just help mitigate tear stains—it will lead to holistically better health, which will impact all aspects of your dog’s life. But as with hydrogen peroxide, you’d need to take caution to avoid contact with the eyes, and it’s easier and safer to use a tested, pre-mixed solution provided by a reputable company that uses high-quality ingredients. If you want permanent removal, you should try feeding your dog grain-free food. Dog tear stains are often easy to see on dogs with light, or white fur. Our guide to the best dog food for tear stains covers our favorite picks. Why Does My Dog Have Brown Tear Stains? The medical term for tear stains is epiphora. My little Maltese dog had brown stains under her eyes when I adopted her. Soaking and wiping your dog’s tear marks can do wonders to lighten and remove stains. It will boost your dog’s health in ways far beyond cosmetic tear staining. With the aid of gravity, these tears run down their face leaving behind a rusty pigmented trail. Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. Additional Tips. >> Read more: Can You Use Baby Wipes on Dogs? Truth be told, there are a bunch of different reasons your dog might have staining coming from their eyes and “tear tracks” that look red or brown in nature. Keep the moist areas around the eyes as dry as possible. This is a great question to ask, since many pet products include harsh chemicals that, though effective, may irritate your dog’s skin. Part of the series: Dog Care Information. Still, we’d only recommend using treats in combination with the other prevention methods described, rather than depending on treats entirely.