Mild antibiotics can also be used, after consulting your vet. Some dog owners claim that adding 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to their dog’s water or meal each day helps remove tear stains. Second, as we described in the causes section above, longer hair can contribute to tear stains in a number of ways. Alternatively, it could be diluted with water and used topically to remove tear stains. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. While homemade tear-stain removers can treat the visible staining on your dog's face — factors like diet, allergies, water pH, and regular cleaning and grooming can prevent tear stains from forming in … Dog tear stains are often easy to see on dogs with light, or white fur. Porphyrins are iron containing molecules that are produced when the body breaks down red blood cells. Do it once or twice daily to lighten tear stains that have already formed. I recommend buying Top Performance brand tear stain remover. Truth be told, there are a bunch of different reasons your dog might have staining coming from their eyes and “tear tracks” that look red or brown in nature. Additional Tips. So, there are a couple of treatments you should be wary of. Our guide to the best dog food for tear stains covers our favorite picks. Also, a dab of of Vaseline applied daily to the inner corners of the eyes can help reduce the buildup of hair which will help reduce stains. You could also experiment with other food additives, such as the plain, unsweetened yogurt or apple cider vinegar we discussed above, although we’re unsure of their effectiveness. What Are Tear Stains? Puppies will often tear when they are teething, which then clears up without treatment. With white-coated breeds such as Bichons Frises, many at some point in their life will develop those very distracting, ugly, red-brownish tear stains under Bichon Frise, Maltese) as well as breeds prone to epiphora,1 or “weepy eyes” (e.g. You don’t want to cause harm to your dog for something so minor. Tear stains are an unfortunate part of life for some dogs, but don’t fret! The description of the perfect Bichon calls for the eye to be round. Eating vegan goes easy on your pup’s digestive system than regular kibble, which is vital in lessening toxin secretion. For example, if it is due to poor-quality dog food, then replacing it with high quality or more natural dog food should do the trick. I know it. Dogs that have never teared before may start to have a problem in later life. Finally, if your dog forms severe, rusty-colored tear stains, it could be worsened by the mineral count of their water. Part of the series: Dog Care Information. If you’re considering hydrogen peroxide, you’d be better off using Bodhi Dog’s Tear Stain Remover, which includes peroxide supplemented with other ingredients, such as lemongrass oil and tea tree oil, to help fight the bacteria without being so harsh on your dog’s skin. Anyone got a remedy for tear stains around dogs eyes.Someone suggested wash around eyes with boiled water,pat dry then rub some vaseline around eyes.This apparently stops tears stain the fur.Anyone tried this This doesn’t change your price or our recommendations. When tears containing porphyrins sit on the hair for any period of time, staining will occur. I wipe their face with baby wipes, but gently around their eyes. Hydrogen peroxide will likely be effective at treating existing dog tear stains. Why Tear Stains Often Impact Brachycephalic Dogs. However, apple cider vinegar is safe for dogs in the amounts mentioned above and there is anecdotal evidence that it can improve gut health and digestion, so you can try it if you want. If your dog has short hair and you’re not able to trim it, the same general principle applies. Keep a container of high-quality dog eye wipes on hand to make this a part of your nightly routine. After 3 months, I got rid of the dark tear stains. Here are some natural remedies you’ll often see other dog owners recommend, as well as our thoughts on them. Some products, such as Always Bright Eyes’ Super Whitening Face Wash, claim they can literally whiten your dog’s fur. Most of the time, these tear stains are caused by nothing more than a little bit of your rotation in your dog’s eyeball. You should also make sure they only drink out of clean water sources (no puddles! Due to their facial structure, brachycephalic dogs are more prone to certain issues, often related to breathing. It will boost your dog’s health in ways far beyond cosmetic tear staining. Tear marks may be the result of specific compounds in your dog’s diet, or the result of increased tearing due to an allergic reaction. Short-nosed dog breeds are easy to spot and they’re often lap dogs. Again, we haven’t seen hard evidence that this will help staining, but yogurt is a healthy and safe treat for your dog (as long as they’re not lactose intolerant! Long hair that curls into your dog’s eyes can wick tears away from the eye and down the face. You’ll be best off upgrading your dog’s diet to all-natural, human-grade ingredients, such as you’d get through a meal plan from NomNomNow or Ollie Dog Food, or by cooking their meals yourself. Red tear stains can also be caused by environmental factors, such as plastic food or water bowls and minerals in the water your dog drinks. Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers). Some amount of discharge will always mark your dog’s face, and you need to wipe it clean before it has a chance to set in. Dogs get seasonal allergies just like humans do, and this can lead to excessive watering and tear-stained eyes. Specifically, tear marks are caused by an overabundance of tears draining down the exterior of your dog’s face rather than following the tear duct’s natural channels. My little Maltese dog had brown stains under her eyes when I adopted her. Getting vaseline in your dogs eyes can cause burning and … With the aid of gravity, these tears run down their face leaving behind a rusty pigmented trail. How to Remove a Tear Stain in Dogs. There are various factors to include the age of the dog, health status of the dog and the activity levels of your pet dog. >> Read more: Can You Use Baby Wipes on Dogs? Tear stains on dogs look like streaks of dark black, brown, or red discolored hair under one or both eyes, says Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer for the American Kennel Club (AKC). How can I get rid of LARGE amounts of dog poo in the backyard. Tear stains (or poodle eyes) are common issues which leave dark brown marks under dog’s eyes. Get your answers by asking now. Your dog’s vet is a source of great advice as it relates to dietary guidelines on how to nourish your dog in a healthy way. Cheap over-processed food and low-quality water sources can expose your dog to additives and minerals that lead to tear-stained eyes. Specific foods, such as Forza10’s Sensitive Tear Stain Plus, claim to be made specifically to eliminate tear stains. But as with hydrogen peroxide, you’d need to take caution to avoid contact with the eyes, and it’s easier and safer to use a tested, pre-mixed solution provided by a reputable company that uses high-quality ingredients. 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