How to Get Rid of the Brownish Stain Around the Dog's Eye

Many dogs, especially white or light-colored ones, accumulate brownish stains around their eyes. Caused by excessive tearing in a dog's eyes, these "tear stains" can be difficult for pet owners to remove. Most of the time, the brownish stains are not harmful; however, if the dog has an infection, you may need to take it to a veterinarian. You can remove these stains either with the many products offered on the market or by using common household products.

Things You'll Need

  • Milk of magnesia
  • Peroxide
  • Cornstarch
  • Bowl
  • Spoon
  • Cloth
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine if your dog needs these stains removed. Most pet owners gradually begin to notice these brownish stains appearing on their dogs. These tear stains are caused from many things, including a low quality diet or by a puppy going through the teething process. Female dogs in heat also are more prone to these tear stains, as well as dogs who live where pollen counts are high.

    • 2

      Mix milk of magnesia and peroxide in equal amounts. Be sure to use peroxide that is between 20 to 40 percent volume. Place these two ingredients in a bowl and stir lightly. Generally, a couple tablespoons of each liquid is sufficient.

    • 3

      Add cornstarch. The amount of cornstarch you add will vary depending on the amount of liquids used in step one. Add the cornstarch slowly and mix well. Keep mixing until it develops into a paste.

    • 4

      Rub the paste on the brown stains. Use caution when doing this, and have someone help you hold the dog still to avoid getting the solution into the dog's eye. Let the paste dry completely, either all day or overnight.

    • 5

      Clean off the paste. After it has dried, use a soft damp cloth to gently remove the paste from the dog's eyes.