Effective Solutions to Remove Dog's Tear Stains: Tips &

Leakage stains, a common issue faced by new pet owners, might seem daunting at first, but they are actually quite manageable. These stains, often referred to as "tear stains," start out clear when tears are first shed. However, they can turn red or darker due to the presence of a pigment called "porphyrin" in the tears, which oxidizes and forms a rustlike color.

Part 1: Causes of Tear Stains

1. Genetic Factors: Certain dog breeds, such as Pugs, Yorkshire Terriers, and Pomeranians, are more prone to developing tear stains naturally.

2. Eye Conditions: Eye diseases like conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, entropion, and nasal duct obstruction can lead to increased tear production, causing tear stains.

3. Diet Issues: Feeding dogs highsodium, greasy foods can darken the color of tears and exacerbate tear stains.

4. Environmental Factors: Allergens like dust, smoke, and pollen in the air can also stimulate excessive tear production.

5. Ear Infections: Issues like ear mites, Malassezia infections, and otitis externa can irritate the eyes, worsening tear stains.

Part 2: What to Do If Your Dog Has Tear Stains?

1. Mild Tear Stains

For mild tear stains, a combination of regular cleaning and a mild diet is usually sufficient.

▷ Firstly, clean your dog's eyes with physiological saline solution daily, 1 to 3 times, and gently massage the stained area.

▷ After cleaning, use a dry tissue to absorb any remaining moisture to prevent bacterial growth.

▷ Lastly, feed your dog hypoallergenic, baked dog food, maintain a mild diet, and include more fruits and vegetables in their diet, avoiding fish, lamb, leftovers, and highsodium, highsugar snacks.

2. Severe Tear Stains

For more severe tear stains, a combination of regular cleaning and eye care is necessary.

▷ Mix 20% physiological saline with 80% boric acid solution and use a cotton swab to apply it to the stained area, twice or thrice a day.

▷ After applying, dry the remaining moisture on the fur and gently blowdry the area.

▷ Use Shan Jing (Jinyinhua eye drops) to soothe your dog's eyes, which can help alleviate dryness, redness, and excessive tearing.

▷ Massage your dog's tear ducts for 15 minutes daily to promote tear drainage.

▷ Regularly trim the hair around your dog's eyes to prevent hair from scratching the eyes.

▷ If your dog has ear mites, otitis externa, or other ear infections, treat them promptly.

3. Recommended Foods to Cool Down Your Dog

Fruits: Apples (without seeds), Pears (without seeds), Watermelons

Vegetables: Broccoli, Winter melon, Cucumbers, Bitter melon, Cabbage

Others: Duck meat, Jinyinhua, Dandelion, Mung bean soup

In summary, dealing with your dog's tear stains requires patience and attention to detail. With daily care and necessary medical interventions, most cases can be effectively reduced or even eliminated. If your dog's tear stains persist and do not improve, it's advisable to consult a veterinarian to rule out other factors such as nasal duct obstruction, stenosis, or entropion.