Simple Tips to Prevent Dog Tear Stains

Penned By: Dr Asmat Ullah Khan

How Do Tear Stains Occur?


If you’ve ever looked at dogs, you might have noticed that they often have tear streaks. These stains look like colored eye boogers—reddish-brown markings under your dog’s eyes. While tear stains on small pups are usually easy to remove with a moist towel, as the puppy gets older, the stains can grow more persistent and turn the fur around its eyes a reddish-brown color.

The Most Common Causes of tear stains

Tear stains are usually harmless and can be difficult for dogs to remove. And, Various factors, including the following, contribute to the development of tear stains in dogs:

Food allergies

Food sensitivities are a common cause of allergies in dogs, just as they are in people. To rule out this , try changing your dog’s food to see if you can find the allergen causing their tear streaks. in order to get specific advise, consult  a vet to find out what’s triggering your dog’s allergies if changing his diet doesn’t work.


Some dog breeds are more likely to get tear stains than others, especially Maltese, Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus. Grooming and washing these breeds regularly may be necessary to manage tear stains successfully.

Tear duct blockage


Tear duct blockage
They generate continual tear production, and blocked tear ducts can cause tear stains. Prolonged wetness on a dog’s face can lead to illness and worsen existing stains.

How to remove Tear stains

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Here are five simple methods for naturally removing dog tear stains:


Thorough Cleanse
Make sure your dog’s face and eye area are clean by giving them a good scrub with a moist, gentle towel.

Trimming hair on the dog’s face
Trim your dog’s beard and around his eyes to reduce the risk of redness, swelling, and itching. Only trained groomers should attempt this.

A Decade of Dirty Dogs

Regular maintenance
To prevent your dog from getting tear stains, be sure to groom him every day. Some things to consider when cleaning include always using a saline solution that is safe for pets. Furthermore, Make it a habit to use a moist cloth or pet-safe wipe to clean your dog’s eye corners daily.

Determine what causes stains and remove them.
Consultation should be done with the vet to investigate your dog’s tear stains and find out what’s causing them. Many factors play important roles such as water quality and dog food

What is the most effective strategy for preventing dog tears?


What is the most effective strategy for preventing dog tears?
Regular cleaning and grooming are the best ways to keep your fur-free of tear stains. For example, Groom your dog on a regular basis and frequently wipe his face with a specific towel. To prevent bacterial accumulation, consider switching your food to bowls made of stainless steel, porcelain, or glass, as food allergies commonly cause tear stains.

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Dr Asmat Ullah Khan

I am a veterinarian currently serving in Ottawa, Canada. Want to get in touch with me? Click on one of the icons below: