Causes & Removal Tips for Dog's Eye Stains

Dogs, much like humans, have tear glands and produce secretions from their eyes as part of their normal metabolic process.

However, if a dog's eyes produce an unusually large amount of secretions, pet owners should take notice. There are many reasons for excessive tear production in dogs, some of which can be quite harmful, and prompt action should be taken.

What Causes Excessive Tear Production in Dogs?

Eye Infections

Foreign bodies can irritate the cornea, leading to a reflexive increase in tear production, such as hair刺激刺激 the eye.

Dacryostenosis

This condition prevents tears from entering the nasal cavity.

Narrowing of the Duct

Ear Infections

When a dog's ear canal is infected, it can cause the dog to frequently scratch its ears with its hind legs, directly stimulating the tear glands to produce excessive tears, leading to tear stains.

Improper Diet

High salt content in feed, neglecting a dog's diet, feeding human food, or a lack of water consumption can lead to dogs overheating, causing an increase in eye secretions.

Inadequate Eye Hygiene

Not paying attention to a dog's eye care can lead to bacterial or viral infections, which can cause inflammation or even more severe eye diseases in dogs.

Genetic Factors

For example, breeds like Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, and Poodles have naturally large and protruding eyes and narrow tear ducts, which means that even normal tear production cannot be properly channeled into the ducts, leading to tears streaming from the corners of the eyes and causing tear stains.

How to Improve Excessive Tear Production in Dogs?

Regular Eye Massages

Regularly massaging your dog's eyes can help to clear the nasolacrimal ducts, prevent tears from accumulating and overflowing, and reduce the appearance of tear stains. Since some dogs are prone to duct blockages, and environmental factors can also contribute, regular eye massages can prevent blockages and strengthen the bond between you and your pet.

Regular Hair Trimming

Regularly trimming your dog's eye area can prevent long hair from irritating or piercing the eyes. Eyelashes that grow inward can continuously irritate the cornea, causing the dog to frequently scratch at its eyes with its front paws, leading to a constant stream of tears and severe tear stains.

Stay Hydrated and Wipe Eyes Often

Dogs that do not drink enough water are more prone to overheating, which can lead to increased eye secretions. For dogs that do not like to drink water, pet owners can use treats to encourage them to drink. With food as an incentive, dogs naturally develop a taste for water, but it's important not to overfeed treats.

Additionally, regularly wiping your dog's eyes with a clean, damp cloth can help. Pay special attention to the eye sockets, as this area is particularly prone to accumulating dirt and grime.

Regular Ear Cleaning

Regularly inspect and clean your dog's ears to prevent infections and inflammation. When the ear canal is infected, pain can radiate to the area around the eyes, stimulating the tear glands to produce more tears. If tears cannot be drained through the nasolacrimal ducts, they will overflow from the corner of the eye near the nose, eventually forming brown tear stains. In cases of severe ear infection or inflammation, seek medical attention promptly.

Regularly Chew on Toys

During the puppy teething stage, excessive tear production can occur. Maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding feeding human food, and regularly brushing your dog's teeth and providing dental chews can help prevent tartar buildup and bad breath. You can offer bones or real meat treats for your dog to chew on, but always choose lowsodium, lowfat options without added ingredients, which can help reduce tear stains.

Improve Diet

Too much salt or greasy food is not suitable for dogs. High salt content can stimulate excessive tear production in the tear glands, while a greasy diet, combined with poor digestion, can lead to indigestion and abnormal fermentation of food by harmful bacteria in the intestines, which can stimulate eye secretions and block the nasolacrimal ducts, causing excessive tears.

Therefore, it's important to pay attention to your dog's diet, focusing on a light and lowsodium diet. Choose dog food with lowsodium formulations to effectively alleviate tear stains and protect intestinal health. Encourage your dog to drink more water, as a heavy taste is not suitable for dogs.

For more information on the causes of excessive tear stains in dogs, click here.