What Causes Red Tear Stains in Dogs?

They look bad, they are difficult to remove and sometimes they smell bad, but a dog's red tear stains might be more than unsightly. They may be indicating that your dog has a health issue that needs attention. There are several causes for the reddish-brown streaks that appear under the eyes of some dogs. Consult your dog's veterinarian if tear stains are a regular problem for you and your puppy.

  1. Epiphora

    • Epiphora, more simply known as excessive tearing, creates a damp environment around your dog's eyes where bacteria and red yeast can grow. Causes of epiphora include allergies, tear duct or ear infections, hair growing into the eyes or problems with the dog's eyelid. Blocked tear ducts can cause epiphora by diverting the normal drainage of tears through the nose, which creates an overflow of tears from the eyes. These conditions can be improved by removing the irritation, medicating for allergies or treating medical problems; however, some dogs experience epiphora because of the breed-specific formation of their face. Brachycephalic dogs, dogs with "squished in faces," are especially prone to epiphora. Some of these breeds are shih tzu, maltese, lhasa apso, French bulldog and Havanese. If facial structure is the cause of your dogs red tear stains, regular grooming and using whitening products can reduce the stains.

    Parasites

    • Fleas are attracted to the warmth and moisture around a dog's eyes. The "flea dirt" (which is actually flea feces) that gets left behind causes a brown or red discoloration of the fur. An infestation of ear mites can lead to an ear infection and cause your dog to shed excess tears which, in turn, creates the moist atmosphere for red yeast to grow. If parasitic infestation is the cause of your dog's red tear stains, treating the infestation is the first step in removing the stains. Washing and combing the flea dirt from your dog's face will also be necessary.

    Genetics

    • Brachycephalic syndrome is not the only genetic link to tear staining. The experts at the website VetInfo state that because of a variety of hereditary factors, "your dog may simply be more prone to staining than others." Chihuahuas, many types of spaniels and terriers, Saint Bernards and the American Eskimo dog are some of the breeds that are prone to red tear staining. Regular grooming and the application of a whitening product will help reduce tear stains.