Effective Solutions for Severe Dog Tear Stains: How to
Dealing with a dog's tear stains can be a pesky problem for many pet owners, especially for white puppies. Severe tear stains can make a dog look particularly dirty, and over time, they can even lead to eye inflammation. So, what should you do if your dog has severe tear stains? Today, I'm excited to share some free tips on how to tackle this issue effectively.
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Understanding the Causes of Dog Tear Stains
Before diving into the solutions, it's crucial to understand the root causes of tear stains. This knowledge not only helps in addressing the problem more efficiently but also in preventing future occurrences.
Here are some common reasons for a dog to develop tear stains:
1. Diet Issues
Feeding your dog too much highsalt, highfat food, or a deficiency in certain trace elements can stimulate tear production, leading to tear stains.
2. Ear Infections
Ear mites, ear infections, and other earrelated issues can also stimulate tear production, causing your dog to frequently tear up and develop stains.
3. Genetic Factors
Some dog breeds are more prone to tear stains, such as Shih Tzus, Bichon Frises, West Highland White Terriers, and Pugs.
4. Eye Conditions
Conditions like entropion, nasal discharge, dry eye, and foreign body irritation can lead to excessive tearing and severe tear stains.
How to Resolve Dog Tear Stains
1. Diet Adjustment
Encourage your dog to drink plenty of water and consume more vegetables, especially steamed white cabbage, which can help replenish moisture and prevent tear stains caused by heat.
Avoid feeding your dog too much greasy or spicy food, especially leftovers and treats, to prevent additional metabolic stress.
2. Regular Ear Cleaning
Ear infections can stimulate tears, so it's important to dry your dog's ears thoroughly after each bath. If you notice excessive or dark brown or black discharge in your dog's ear canal, it might indicate an ear mite or Malassezia infection. In such cases, you can use Erbanfen (pet ear care solution) and Xin'er Ning (miconazole nitrate ointment) to address the issue.
3. Eye Cleaning
● Regularly trim the hair around your dog's eyes, especially if your dog has eyelashes that turn inward, to prevent hair from irritating the conjunctiva.
● Use a mixture of 80% boric acid solution and 20% saline solution, dipped in a cotton ball, to wipe away tear stains 23 times a day. Afterward, use a tissue to blot the area dry to prevent bacterial growth.
● If your dog's eyes show signs of redness, swelling, or excessive discharge, you can use Bailangming (neomycin sulfate eye drops) for a few days to observe the improvement. If the symptoms persist, it's essential to seek veterinary care promptly.
Lastly, once your dog's tear stains improve, it's important to maintain daily cleaning. Mild tear stains and preventive care can often be managed with simple saline solution wipes. The process is straightforward, but it requires a diligent pet parent to nurture a healthy and adorable pup!