Causes and remedies for dog tear stains

Depending on what breed of dog you may have, they may sometimes shed tears that are significantly colored, unlike human tears. These tears can cause stains in their coat or fur, and the color varies per breed of dog. It is the majority of white or light colored dogs who experience dog tear stains, most probably due to their light color, making the stain quite visible and distinguishable. It is not just because these breeds have lighter coat color- it is also because they may have excess hair over their skin folds, especially around their eyes. Having extra fur on these areas may cause the blocking of tear ducts. Some breeds that exhibit dog tear stains include: Poodles, Cocker spaniels, Pekinese, Shi-Tzu, Maltese and the Pug. The causes and remedies for dog tear stains will be covered below.

Causes and Remedies for Dog Tear Stains

The causes and remedies for dog tear stains naturally vary from breed to breed so how do dog tear stains develop? It all begins with the dog’s tear ducts. If these ducts get blocked, they will not be able to drain out the tears from the eyes. There are a lot of circumstances that gets the dog’s tear duct blocked. These can include growing hair around the eye area, having shallow eye sockets and having eyelids that turn inward. As a result, dog tear staining can occur.

So what are you to do with your dog? The first thing to know is why your dog sheds tears with stains. Some dogs shed excessive tears because it is in their bloodline or a genetic trait. There can also be a different medical cause, such as a skin irritation or an allergy. Some of the common causes of excessive tearing of a dog are: injuries, hair getting into the eyes, dry eyes, glaucoma, corneal ulcers, eye infection, cataracts inflammation, and allergic reactions.

Continue to page 2…

These different causes for dog tearing need to be observed in your dog. If you suspect he or she has an allergic reaction, then find the source of the allergy (called an allergen). Your dog may have a skin infection or irritation, ask your vet what makes the dog itch and scratch, especially if the itching gets to the eyes. Some dogs have really long fur around their eyes, making them itchy if not properly clipped or trimmed. If you have a long coated dog this should be an important factor of grooming, as you would want to groom your dog not just to make him or her presentable, but also make your pooch feel more comfortable.

You can check with your local veterinarian for causes and remedies for dog tear stains and they will be able to provide you with a good solution for this issue. For a home remedy, you can prepare a simple concoction to remove the tear stains from your dog’s fur. Prepare a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and corn starch. Mix them together to form a thick paste and apply it to your dog’s stained fur while taking care this solution does not get into your dog’s eyes. Let it sit for two hours and then wipe it gently using a damp cloth. Brush the fur afterwards. These are a few of the causes and remedies for dog tear stains.

Has this information been helpful? Please share this article with friends who own dogs.

Reviews & Comments