If you're seeing red stains on your dog's eyes and muzzles, you're probably wondering how to remove dog tear stains naturally.
Don't worry—there are natural solutions to this!
But before we dive into the hows, let's proceed first to the whats and the whys.
In this article, we are going to cover what are dog tear stains, why they happen, how to prevent them, and how to remove dog tear stains naturally.
How to Remove Dog Tear Stains Naturally: What Is It Anyway?
The veterinary term for excessive tear production is Epiphora, the most common cause of tear stains on dogs.
One misconception about epiphora is that tear stains only occur in light-colored breeds.
That is not true because many other breeds can also get tear stains around their eyes.
However, some breeds are more predisposed to this.
A 2006 retrospective study found that tear stains are most prevalent in Shih Tzus, closely followed by Pekingese, Maltese, Toy Poodle, and Pug.
Veterinarians also note, based on personal cases, that almost all dogs are susceptible to runny eyes and tear stains.
As you'll see in my video, our Boxer suffers from severe tear staining.
She is a brachycephalic breed, which means she has a pushed-in nose and shallow eye socket.
This is the reason why all brachycephalic breeds are also more prone to tear staining.
Dog Tear Stains: Why They Happen
Genetics aside, several factors cause tear stains in dogs: environment, owner's actions, or a health condition.
For example, dogs exposed to secondhand smoke and eating plastic dog food bowls are more likely to have tear stains.
Medical conditions that can cause tear staining in dogs include:
- Ingrown eyelashes
- Larger than normal tear glands
- Smaller than normal tear duct opening
- Glaucoma and other eye diseases
- Eye infections
- Ear infections
I've written more about dog tear stains here, but even if your dog has tear stains, it's likely not anything to worry about. Mention this at your next annual vet exam.
However, if your dog's tear staining begins suddenly or gets more severe, schedule an appointment with your vet right away to rule out any underlying medical condition.
Another common misconception about tear stains in dogs is that this can only occur underneath the dog's eyes.
But epiphora can actually show itself around a dog's nose or on the muzzle, and even between your dog's toes.
Tear stains around a dog's eyes are simply common and easier to notice.
Cleaning up your dog is important.
And while the process of cleaning different body parts due to epiphora varies, you can still use the same solution and the same cleaning method to wipe other parts of your dog's body.
Be sure that the cleaner you are using is specifically made for dogs. Here's how to remove dog tear stains naturally.
How to Remove Dog Tear Stains Naturally
Supplies You'll Need
- Dog eye wash (I use Vetericyn)
- Organic cotton balls
- Optional: Washcloth
- Optional: Dry shampoo
How To Clean Dog Tear Stains: Daily Treatment
When learning how to remove dog tear stains naturally, keep the schedule and frequency all the same.
Tear stains in dogs build up over time, but with daily cleaning, you can get rid of the unsightly marks for good.
The process itself is fast. Here's how I remove my dog tear stains naturally in two steps:
1. Flush the eyes. The first step is to use a natural dog eye wash or saline solution to flush your dog's eye (see the above picture).
You may want to have a second person with you to help restrain your dog.
Even the most mellow dogs don't like to have someone working near their eyes.
2. Remove the stains. After the flush, you'll need to wipe and clean around the eyes (right photo).
Moisten a cotton ball with the same solution and wipe the tear-stained area.
If the stains are large, you may need to use multiple cotton balls.
If your pet has tear stains on his muzzle, around his nose, or in between his toes, you can wash them with dry or waterless shampoo and a washcloth.
Just apply a small amount of shampoo to the cloth and rub it on the tear stains.
Natural grooming wipes can come in very handy, too.
These wipes are safe for dogs and much easier and more convenient than dog shampoo.
Dry or waterless shampoos, as well as dog grooming wipes, require no rinsing, which is a plus for dogs that are very anxious about the process.
How to Prevent Dog Tear Stains
As with everything, prevention is always better than cure.
So even if you now know how to remove dog tear stains naturally, preventing them will save you the trouble and your dog the stress.
Here are a few things you can do:
1. Trim the hair. For dogs with longer coats, in particular, remember to keep the hair around your dog's eyes trimmed to prevent it from irritating his eyes and causing excessive tearing.
2. Use different water. For severe or excessive tear stains on dogs, you can try switching to pure filtered water.
Hard water may make this condition worse.
3. Improve drinking water. Some holistic veterinarians recommend adding a teaspoon of white vinegar or buttermilk powder to your dog's water bowl on a daily basis.
4. Food and diet. Like with other conditions in dogs, a bad diet can worsen the case of tear stains, and a good diet can improve or even get rid of tear stains on your dog.
Dog foods with high meat content, little to no grains, and low carbohydrates will work best.
If you want to know how to remove dog tear stains naturally, then the above two-step method and the focus on the prevention of tear stains on dogs are the healthy and safe ways.
That said, there are also dog tear stain remover products that you can use to reduce the prevalence of tear stains, but there's more to them than meets the eye.
Best Dog Tear Stain Removers
Sure, using a dog tear stain remover isn't the most natural way to remove dog tear stains.
But yes, dog tear stain removers definitely work. And yes, you can use them with your pet. Many dog owners do!
The most popular dog tear stain remover is called Angel Eyes, and it's currently the most effective solution.
However, there's some controversy behind this product.
We've done a full review on angel eyes here.
I also highly recommend that you do more research of your own, as well as read about the FDA's warning letter.
Angel Eyes tear stain remover is also more expensive than some other products in this category.
For those wanting to avoid Angel Eyes products, as an alternative, there are several brands of pet tear stain removers that are made of natural products, unlike Angel Eyes.
They may be slightly less effective, but they will also be healthier and safer for your dog.
A few examples include Burt's Bees brand and a more popular Nutri-Vet remover.
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Nutri-Vet Eye Rinse for Dogs - Gentle Formula to... | 8,730 Reviews | Check Price |
|
Burt's Bees for Pets Tear Stain Remover for Dogs... | 5,591 Reviews | Check Price |
There are other ways and products to remove tear stains, and I recommend you browse through more opinions and also consider whether this is something that you really need.
Is It Essential to Remove Tear Stains on Dogs?
No, not really. Tear staining likely bothers you a lot more than it bothers your pet.
It's unsightly and can be very annoying, but it won't harm your Fido.
And if your dog had tear stains most of his life, then there's really nothing to worry about.
The only time that you must look into this is when epiphora is due to an underlying health condition, and the tear staining is usually very excessive then.
This can be noticed when your dog doesn't normally have tear stains, but they start to appear often all of a sudden.
You'll need to consult with your veterinarian at that point.
How To Remove Dog Tear Stains Naturally – FAQs
Do Tear Stains on Dogs Go Away?
Yes, they will it could take up to 3 weeks or more, but they will go away eventually.
If you're not sure what to use to make them go away, definitely try out some of the natural solutions we have come up with.
Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help Dog Tear Stains?
Yes, apple cider vinegar in a dog's diet can be helpful in getting rid of their tear stains.
Just be sure to dilute the ACV with water or put about 1 teaspoon in food.
How To Remove Dog Tear Stains Naturally: Closing Thoughts
Tear stains on dogs are pretty common, and more breeds are prone to them than others.
They likely aren't anything severe. However, it is possible for them to develop into something more serious.
Fortunately, there are numerous ways how to remove tear stains naturally.
Believe it or not, tear stains can also be possible indicators of issues with diet. That is why ACV may actually help with tear stains.
Hopefully, this guide was helpful!
I know tear stains aren't the prettiest, and they seem like there might be something to be concerned about, but they are pretty harmless.
Let us know in the comments below which treatment worked best for you!
WATCH NEXT: How To Train A Dog To Enjoy Grooming & Keep Him Calm
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