If you’ve got a dog with a white or light-colored coat, you know what I’m talking about. Those rusty streaks creeping down from the eyes? They look like your pup’s been crying into their fur after watching a sad film. Only it doesn’t wipe off with a tissue and a cuddle.
Some breeds just seem to come with tear stains baked into the deal. Maltese, Shih Tzus, Bichons, and even some Frenchies end up with this reddish-brown smudge under their eyes.
You clean it one day, it’s back by the next. Makes you wonder if it’s just part of their charm or something they picked up rolling in the garden.
What’s Actually Causing The Stains?
Before we jump into what works for cleaning it, let’s quickly cover why it happens. Excessive tearing can come from all sorts of stuff.
Maybe it’s allergies, blocked tear ducts, diet, or even just the shape of their face. Those big round eyes and smushed snouts don’t leave much room for drainage.
One woman at the dog park was saying her Bichon only started staining after switching to a new food. Turns out some kibble ingredients can actually trigger more tearing. Go figure.
That’s why if tear stains suddenly show up out of the blue, or get worse, your best bet is to check in with the vet. Just to rule out anything more serious. Better safe than sorry, yeah?
Daily Wipes Can Make A Big Difference
Right then. Let’s talk about the actual cleaning. The trick with tear stains is to tackle them gently but regularly.
Don’t wait till your dog looks like they’ve drawn on war paint. You’ll have a better time if you just build it into your normal grooming routine.
Tear stain wipes are probably the easiest starting point. Loads of brands make them now.
What you’re looking for is something unscented and soothing, with ingredients like aloe vera, witch hazel, or chamomile.
Nothing too strong. You’re working around the eyes, not scrubbing a BBQ grill.
Petpost and Arava both get decent reviews, and they’re not heavy on chemicals. TropiClean also makes wipes with coconut and cucumber, smells quite nice without being all perfumey.
The trick is to go slow. Hold your dog’s head gently, wipe under each eye with a fresh part of the cloth, and don’t shove too close to the actual eye. Some pups will squirm like they’re being tortured.
That’s normal. A lick of peanut butter on a lick mat can work wonders for keeping them distracted.
Gels, Powders And Other Stuff
So wipes are your quick daily go-to. But if the stains are being particularly stubborn, you might want to try a tear stain gel or powder as a backup.
Angel’s Eyes used to be the go-to brand, especially in the States, but they’ve changed formulas over the years and there’s mixed chatter about it now.
Just steer clear of any version that contains antibiotics unless your vet has okayed it. Some powders still sneak them in, and that’s a no-no unless medically needed.
VetIQ Tear Stain Remover Gel is UK-available, mild, and safe for daily use. You just dab a bit on a cotton pad and work it into the stained fur.
Again, patience helps. Don’t expect a miracle overnight. You’re managing it, not zapping it away with a wand.
Some people also try cornflour or arrowroot powder to help dry the area under the eyes and keep stains from setting in. That’s fine as long as your dog isn’t snorting the stuff up mid-groom.
When Things Get Weird
Now, if you’re wiping daily and using gentle products but nothing seems to help, it might not be about what’s outside the eyes at all.
Some tear staining comes from stuff inside, diet, water quality, or even yeast on the skin. If the stains smell funky or your dog’s scratching their face a lot, that’s your sign to hit up the vet. You might be dealing with a mild infection or an allergy flare-up.
Same goes if the skin under the stains starts to look irritated or raw. Don’t keep piling products on and hoping for the best. At that point, a vet check is 100 percent needed.
Tips For Grooming Without The Drama
Trying to wipe your dog’s face when they’re wriggling like a ferret in a sock? Classic.
One dog owner I know swears by grooming during TV time. She pops her dog on the couch while the telly’s on, gives him a chew, and does a slow clean during the ad breaks. You don’t have to do it all in one go. Just get a little done each day.
Another tip? Use a baby toothbrush to gently work around the stained area. Some dogs seem to prefer that to wipes. It feels more like a tickle and less like a surprise spa day.
Don’t forget to keep the fur around the eyes trimmed, especially if your dog has that long silky hair. Trapped moisture plus fur equals stain central.
Natural Doesn’t Always Mean Safe
It’s tempting to try homemade stuff. Apple cider vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, milk of magnesia, there’s all kinds of weird remedies flying around the internet.
Don’t.
Even if a friend swears it worked on their dog, your pup’s eyes are not the place to test kitchen experiments. What works on one dog could seriously irritate another.
Stick to stuff actually made for pets, ideally vet-recommended or at least tested.
A Word About Water Bowls
One last thing folks often miss, your dog’s water. Some owners switch to filtered water or stainless steel bowls and notice a big difference.
Plastic bowls can get scratched up and grow bacteria that might mess with your dog’s skin or cause more tearing. Swapping them out for ceramic or steel is a small change with a big effect.
Worth a try, right?
Some dogs just stain more than others. Doesn’t mean they’re dirty or unhealthy, it’s often just a quirk of the breed or their face shape. With a bit of patience and the right products, you can keep your pup looking fresh without making it a full-time job.
And hey, if the stains don’t vanish completely? It’s not the end of the world. You’ve still got the cutest dog on the block.
What have you tried that worked (or didn’t) for your tear-stained pup?