How to Get Rid of Red Tear Staining Around Your Dog's Eyes

It's a fact of life: dogs with white faces will most likely have red tear stains. These stains can be caused by food allergies, fleas, over-production of tears, abnormalities in the tear ducts or any number of reasons. However, you can do a few things to whiten the fur around your dog's eyes.

Things You'll Need

  • 1-cup boric acid powder
  • 1-cup cornstarch
  • Peroxide (10 percent to 40 percent solution)
  • Unflavored milk of magnesia
  • Soft toothbrush
  • Clean cloth
  • Optional
  • 1-cup baby powder
  • Distilled water
  • Plastic container or jar with lid
  • Cotton swabs
  • Prescription tetracycline
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Instructions

  1. Whitening Paste

    • 1

      Mix 1-cup boric acid and 1-cup cornstarch in a large bowl.

    • 2

      Add enough milk of magnesia to make a smooth paste. Mix in one capful of hydrogen peroxide to treat severe stains.

    • 3

      Coat the stained area with paste using a toothbrush.

    • 4

      Allow the paste to dry before brushing it out.

    • 5

      Wipe the area with a clean cloth to remove excess powder.

    Whitening Powder

    • 6

      Mix 1-cup boric acid powder and 1-cup cornstarch.

    • 7

      Apply the powder to the stained area. Pat gently for surface stains or use a soft toothbrush for stains that spread to the dog's facial features (long hair, mustaches). Allow the powder to stay in the fur for several minutes.

    • 8

      Brush excess powder from the fur.

    Treatment Swabs

    • 9

      Boil distilled water. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

    • 10

      Add 1 tbsp. of boric acid powder for each cup of boiled water. Stir until all crystals are dissolved.

    • 11

      Add seven swabs per dog being treated to a plastic container.

    • 12

      Pour the boric acid solution over the cotton swabs. Cover the container. Store the container in a cool place.

    • 13

      Use one swab daily to clean your dog's eyes.