Causes of Dog Tear Stains
08 Feb 2010
Everything shows up on white! Excessive tears, caused by too many tears or insufficient tear drainage can stain a dog's face. The reddish brown stain typically appears on the Poodle, Maltese, Bichon, Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu breeds. Other breeds like Cocker Spaniels and Cavalier King Charles experience staining, however it isn't always as obvious.
There are many reasons why a dog has tear stains. It is trial and error to figure out which is causing the problem in your dog. Every dog has a different chemical makeup and lives in a different environment; therefore the eye stain culprit can vary from dog to dog.
There are many reasons why a dog has tear stains. It is trial and error to figure out which is causing the problem in your dog. Every dog has a different chemical makeup and lives in a different environment; therefore the eye stain culprit can vary from dog to dog.
A food allergy can be the culprit of tear stains. Some dogs have sensitivity to food coloring and preservatives. Switching your dog to a diet of all natural dog food and treats can make a difference with the staining.
Fleas tend to congregate around the eyes where it is warm and moist. They irritate a dog's eyes and leave their red feces under the dogs' eyes. Fleas also carry mites, which cause ear infections that also create excessive eye tearing and staining.
The dreaded flea could be the culprit of stains under your dog's eyes. Fleas need moisture to survive and enjoy the warm, moist spot under the eyes. The red stains under the eyes are flea feces.
Pet owners have been known to treat eye stains at home. Adding a teaspoon of white cider vinegar to your dog's water bowl or giving your dog TUMS are some common homemade remedies. Another popular solution is equal parts milk of magnesia, corn starch and hydrogen peroxide made into a paste and applied to the stained area. Before a portrait, dog owners and handlers have been known to whiten up a coat by rubbing corn starch into the coat.
The eye area is extremely sensitive. Use caution when applying any chemical near your pets' eyes. Don't rub anything into the eye and be careful that nothing splashes into the eye. Discussing the tear staining solutions with your Veterinarian and Groomer will ensure an effective and safe outcome.
There are several reasons why a dog would have tear stains. It is trial and error to figure out which is causing the problem in your dog. Joanne Gallagher is an authority in caring for your dog and suggests browsing to Jake's Dog House for various solutions for tear stain removal.