How to Fight Tear Stains on Your Pet's Face

Being a dog owner can be both rewarding and demanding. One of the more consistently demanding roles is often that of groomer. If you own a Maltese, Bichon Frise or poodle, your dog is more prone to tearing than many other breeds, and you can attest to the difficult grooming task of controling tear stains.



To get rid of unsightly tear stains, first address the underlying reason for your best friend's eye drainage.

Instructions

    • 1

      Ask your veterinarian to determine whether your dog's tear ducts are clogged, a common cause of tear staining. An in-office dye test can tell if this is the problem. If so, the vet may be able to flush the eyes out, though this will have to be done under anesthesia.

      Glaucoma and eye irritation (allergies) are other causes. Your vet can counsel you on the next course of action if either is the cause.

    • 2

      Look closely in your dog's eyes to see if tiny hairs or eye lashes are growing too close to the eyes. According to Hilary Parker of WebMD, "When the eyes are continually irritated, this can lead to chronic tearing that produces stains."

      If hairs are growing so close that they are irritating your pet's eyes, pull some if the more obvious hairs away from the eyes. Then try using dog grooming scissors that do not have a sharp point to carefully trim these hairs as close to the body as possible.

      If you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself, or if it appears to be an eyelash problem, go to a reputable dog groomer.

    • 3

      Research whether your breed of dog has a genetic condition that causes or aggravates tearing. For instance, some breeds, such as the Maltese, have flat faces and noses and narrow-set eye sockets, and are therefore prone to duct blockage problems. Their pigment is such that keeping those reddish/brown stains under control will always present a challenge.

      Being aware of this information will help you find home remedies to control the tear stain problem yourself.

    • 4

      Try one or more of the following options for a few weeks to determine whether you want to continue with any as a way to control your pet's tear stains.

      1. Give your dog purified or spring water, rather than tap.

      2. Sprinkle a powder tear stain supplement on your dog's food. Companies claim their powders help control tear staining. Angel Eyes claims to clear the stains from the inside of your pet so that when your pet does tear, there will be no color. (See warning.)

      3. Wash your pet's face every day with specially formulated pet wipes or baby wipes.

      4. Comb the fine hairs around your pet's eyes with a soft bristled toothbrush or a fine tooth comb.