What Causes Tear Stains in Pets?

aren’t harmful, they could be a sign of an underlying medical problem, such as an eye infection, that needs to be fixed.

What Dog Breeds Get Tear Stains the Most?

You’ll find that a few dog breeds tend to get tear stains more than others.

1. Shih Tzus

Shih Tzus have a smaller snout which can invite tear stains to form. However, sometimes this breed has slight brown coloring under their eyes which can be confused with tear stains. Because of this, it’s important to look closely at their eyes before trying to treat possible Shih Tzu tear stains.

2. Maltese

Maltese also have a smaller snout which can cause tear stains to develop often. Tear stains are often very evident on this breed as they have white fur.

3. Pugs

This breed has a very flat snout which can cause the tear ducts to release stains sometimes.

4. Pekingese

Pekingese not only have very long fur around their face which could irritate their eyes, but their snout is also very flat. This can cause tear stains to form.

5. Poodles

Poodles also tend to have shorter snouts compared to other breeds which can result in tear stains.

Sometimes these stains might even move down to their mouth. Many poodles also have very light-colored fur, which can make these tear stains very visible.

What Causes Tear Stains in Dogs

There are a few things that can cause tear stains in dogs and other pets. While some are acute, there are also a handful of chronic issues that could cause them as well.

1. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is when the optic nerve becomes damaged which eventually causes pressure to build into your eyes. Eventually, fluid can build-up behind the eye which can create tear stains.

2. Eye Infections

When bacteria gets into your pet’s eyes it could end up leading to an infection. This could eventually cause tear stains as their body is trying to fight it off.

3. Irritants

If your pet ends up getting dust, dirt, smoke, or other similar irritants in their eyes, it could end up causing tear stains. This is because it makes the tear ducts overwork to help remove these irritants. If they aren’t removed, it could end up causing extreme irritations which could make tear stains form.

4. Ingrown Eyelashes

While ingrown eyelashes are usually hereditary, they can create extreme irritation in your pet’s eyes. Eventually, this could lead to inflammation or trauma to the eye resulting in severe tear stains.

5. Ear Infections

Believe it or not, if your dog has an ear infection in one ear, the infection could end up spreading into the ear on the same side. The bacteria can lead to inflammation which could cause tear stains.

5. Allergies

Sometimes https://www.innovetpet.com/blogs/allergies-first-aid/cbd-for-dog-allergies allergies can be very irritating to your pet’s body which can result in their eyes getting watery. If their body can’t handle the amount of allergies (that could be caused by pollutants or in their food) it could end up causing their tear ducts to overwork which could lead to tear stains.

6. Their Water

Water can sometimes contain various minerals which could cause their eyes to quickly develop tear stains. Because of this, it’s often recommended that you give your pet distilled and filtered water to ensure their body isn’t getting too much of one mineral.

7. Conjunctivitis

This condition causes the lining of the eye to become inflamed. This inflammation can eventually lead to thick, mucus-like discharge coming from their eyes.

Do Cats Get Tear Stains?

While it’s not as common in cats as it is in dogs, cats can get tear stains. This is especially so in breeds such as Himalayans and Persians.

Just as with dogs, cats can develop tear stains due to epiphora, which may be caused by genetics, allergies, infections, or fights with other cats or animals.

Puppy Tear Stains

Puppies often suffer from tear stains due to their body still growing. This is especially so when they are teething. Because of this, puppies will often have thick tear stains that happen often. Unless there are other concerning symptoms, this is completely

normal in puppies. While you should make sure to clean them off, never give them antibiotic creams without talking with your vet first as it could hurt them.

Why It’s Important to Remove Tear Stains

It’s important to remove dog tear stains for quite a few reasons. They will not only make their face look unsightly due to the bright, discolored residue on it but also be irritating to them.

Because tear stains can sometimes be caused by bacteria, if left untreated, they could allow these bacteria to multiply.

In addition, tear stains can be difficult to remove from their fur if left on for too long. This can cause their fur to knot and feel brittle. It could also end up discoloring their fur.

How to Remove Tear Stains Using A Home Remedy

There are a few ways you can treat tear stains or saliva stains. Below are some steps to consider to help fully remove them from your pet.

Hydrogen Peroxide

1. Dip a clean cotton ball into the mixture.
2. Gently wipe the stained fur, making sure to avoid your dog’s eyes.
3. Let the area air dry.
4. Repeat this process a few times a week until the stains start to fade.

Tip: Never put hydrogen peroxide directly in your dog’s eyes because it can cause irritation.

Apple Cider Vinegar

1. Dampen a cotton ball with a little apple cider vinegar.
2. Gently wipe the stained fur, being careful to avoid the eyes.
3. Repeat this a few times a week if needed.

Milk of Magnesia

1. Mix equal amounts of milk of magnesia and hydrogen peroxide.
2. Add a little cornstarch until you get a thick paste.
3. Apply the paste to the stained fur, being careful to avoid the eyes.
4. Leave it on for up to 4 hours.
5. Use an e-collar if needed to stop your dog from licking the area.
6. Rinse the area well with clean water.

How to Clean Dog Tear Stains

Inspect the Area

The first step is to inspect the area. This way, you’ll be able to tell whether or not the tear stains could be caused by dirt, scabs, or other concerning things around their eyes. If there is long hair in the way, consider carefully trimming it so you can safely clean the area.

Gather Your Cleaning Supplies

You’ll want to now collect your cleaning supplies. Depending on your preferences, you’ll want to consider using hydrogen peroxide or PurEyes Tear Stain Remover to remove their tear stains.

Gently Wipe the Area

After you have collected your supplies, you should then gently wipe the area off with it. Make sure to do this gently to help prevent getting any solution into their eyes

which could cause irritations. For some products, you can let the solution sit. For others, you’ll need to make sure to carefully wipe it off with warm water.