Dog Tear Stain Removal

Dog tear stains are a cosmetic grooming problem and may indicate underlying health issues. They are more visible on dogs with white or other light-colored fur. They are also obvious on dogs with deep facial wrinkles. Tear stains are hard to remove and require special grooming skills and maintenance.

  1. Appearance

    • Dog tear stains normally appear as a reddish-brown stain in the area under the eye. The red stains are a sign of red yeast that has grown in the moist fur around the eyes. The yeast may also give off a strong odor.

    Causes

    • Tear stains may be caused by health issues, genetics or nutrition. Excessive tearing moistens the fur around the eyes. This allows bacteria and yeast to grow in the fur, resulting in stains.

      Infected tear ducts are a common cause of excess moisture, which will result in staining.

      Tear stains can be a sign of a foreign body in the eye, injury, allergies or conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis usually results in a greenish tear stain.

      Genetics, affecting eye structure, may result in the excess tears. If possible, check a dog's parents to see if there is evidence of staining.

      Water and food choices may also increase tear stains. Water with excess minerals often contributes to the stains. Good nutrition is important because it strengthens the immune system-- a dog with a strong immune system is less likely to have bacteria and yeast problems.

    Treatment

    • Take your dog to see a veterinarian for an appropriate diagnosis. He may prescribe something, such as tetracycline, to manage the growth of bacteria and yeast. In severe cases surgery may be suggested.

      Ask your groomer for recommendations of commercial products. There are many commercial dog tear removal products available and your groomer should be able to recommend one.

      Feed your dog Tums, or another antacid, with calcium. This will change his pH balance and reduce yeast.

      Add a tsp. of apple cider vinegar to your dog's daily drinking water. The acidity will inhibit the growth of bacteria and yeast.

      Mix equal amounts of milk of magnesia and peroxide. Add enough cornstarch to make a paste and apply it to the stain. Let it set for 4 hours. Wash, dry and condition the fur. Add some diaper cream to the stain. Repeat every other day until the stain is gone. Be careful that the mixture does not get into the dog's eye and that he does not wipe it off with his paws and then ingest the it.

      Add a few drops of boiling water into 2 tsp. of corn flour. Make a paste. Add 1 drop of bleach and mix. Cool and apply to the stain. Remove in 1 hour with warm water. Dab on peroxide and let it dry. This method can be repeated every other day for 2 weeks. Do not allow the mixture to get into your dog's eye and do not allow him to ingest it.

      Consider using herbs to solve a tear stain problem. The following herbs can be used as an eye wash: eyebright, chamomile, calendula and goldenseal. They are anti-bacterial and fight fungi and viruses.

      Trim the hair around your dog's eyes and keep it short. Longer hair is more likely to trap bacteria and yeast.