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Dog tear stains are not necessarily life threatening, but they can be difficult to deal with, especially when you own a white dog. Cleaning dog tear stains can be tough if you need to do so regularly. So, what is the best dog tear stain remover home remedy? As much as there are many products you can buy online for removing these stains, using home remedies can still be ideal.
Dog Tear Stain: What is it all about?
As much as dog tear stains might not be a serious condition, it still means there might be another underlying issue affecting your dog. It could be that other serious eye problems are developing in the background. As a result, it is best to take your dog to a vet for more checkups to determine what could be causing dog tears.
Here are some of the common reasons your dog has tear stains.
Porphyrin
The staining in the dog tears is as a result of having the porphyrin pigment in it. This pigment is commonly found in tears, urine, and saliva. It is excreted by breaking down red blood cells. It is why sometimes you end up with a brown or red stain from the tears.
Dog breeds
You will notice that some dog breeds will be more susceptible to having tear stains than others. Yes, the genetics of a dog can play a huge part in determining which dog is likely to have tear stains. Some of the common breeds susceptible to tears include Poodle, Shih Tzu, and Maltese.
If you own a short-nosed dog, it is also likely to end up with the same problem. This is because the shape of the dog’s head can also affect if can be prone to tear stains or not.
The environment
The environment in which the dog lives can cause tear stains. Let us say that the water it drinks is high in iron. This can lead to dog tears. If that is the case, consider using distilled or bottled water which might have balanced mineral content.
Dogs also tend to be adversely affected by plastic food bowls. It is why most vets recommend you switch to ceramic or stainless-steel bowls.
An infection
As suggested earlier, dog tears are an indication that there might be something wrong in the background. For a dog with brownish tear stains, it indicates a yeast infection rather than bacteria. Taking your dog to a vet will help in determining what is exactly causing the dog tears and treat the infection, if any.
Another thing to note about infections is that they will result in chronic dampness. They are also associated with odors and might cause itchiness and irritation around the eyes.
Allergies
Allergies that your dog might have can be a culprit for having dog tears. It could be allergies to food or anything else you are giving the dog. There are several cases where pet owners changed the food and eliminated the problem.
Blocked tear ducts
Blocked tear ducts are also a common reason your dog might have tear stains. Whenever this happens, the dog ends up with a damp face. If left unchecked for long, it could lead to a yeast infection, making it even worse for your dog. Depending on the condition, sometimes surgical repair might be necessary to deal with blocked tear ducts.
Home Remedies for Dog Tear Stains
When it comes to home remedies, sometimes it is the simple things you do that can alleviate the dog tear issue. Here are some remedies to try.
Change the diet
There are many times that the food you give to your dog can cause several medical conditions. The same applies to dog tears. It is why you should consider changing to a high-quality diet. It is recommended that you choose a high-quality grain-free diet.
A grain-based diet most of the time will not provide many health benefits to your dog. Such diets can also lead to allergic reactions and thus more tearing and additional problems.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is good for absorbing any excess tears from the dog and get rid of any tear stains. To use cornstarch as a remedy, mix two teaspoons in a little hot water and add 1 drop of bleach. Make sure to allow this mixture to cool down to room temperature before applying it to the tear stains. Give it one hour to dry on the tear stains before wiping it away by using a damp cloth. Repeat this type of treatment daily for 2 weeks.
Cornstarch can still be dusted underneath the eye to absorb any excess tears. Within two weeks, you should no longer worry about dog tear stains.
White vinegar
We all know how vinegar can be great for various cleaning projects. Well, the same can be used for dog tear stain removal. The best part is that its acidic nature is also great to prevent bacteria or yeast infection from happening. So, how do you use it? Well, with a cotton ball, dip it in white vinegar and carefully clean the stained area around the eyes. Be careful not to let vinegar enter the dog’s eyes.
Hydrogen peroxide
The use of hydrogen peroxide is also recommended for those looking to remove tear stains. Come up with a solution that includes 3% hydrogen peroxide combined with an equal amount of water. Gently dab the solution on the affected areas. Give it five minutes to work its magic and then rinse the fur using clean water to remove any residue.
Chamomile
Chamomile is another great product to use for tear stains. It is effective and still comes with anti-inflammatory properties. This product is still great for combating fungi and bacteria that might grow because of tear stains. To use chamomile, apply a solution of weak chamomile tea on the pet’s face. Give it a few minutes before rinsing it off with clean water.
The Best Dog Tear Stain Remover You Can Buy Online
Home remedies can be fun, but sometimes it is good to know there are other options. It is why we look at some of the commercial solutions you can buy today to remove dog tear stains. Let us check them out below.
TropiClean SPA Tear Stain Remover
This product is great for brightening up the dog’s coat and gently remove any tear stains from the dog’s face. The product is made to also replenish the moisture that your dog’s skin might have been lacking and leave it smelling good. The best part is that it can work great for different skin and coat types. It could still be great for a spa-day for your dog.
Pros
- Soap free
- Offers deep cleaning
- Leaves the dog smelling nice
Cons
- The scent can be overwhelming to the dog’s senses
Bodhi Dog Natural Tear Eye Stain Remover
It is loved for being highly effective to lighten any existing stains. The application process is easy and you should start seeing results in a few days. The formula is designed to be safe to use from head to tail without worrying about discoloration. This product was also developed in conjunction with vets to ensure you end up with a safe professional grade quality stain remover. Since it has natural ingredients, you should not worry about possible allergies.
Pros
- Professional grade quality
- Uses all-natural ingredients
- It is effective in lightening existing stains
Cons
- Expensive for its size
Petpost Tear Stain Remover Wipes
The package contains 100 pre-soaked wipes that you can use for removing tear stains. The wipes are soaked in a coconut and juniper berry-based formula. This type of formula is great for removing stains and thus a favorite for most vets and groomers. The solution is safe even for the dog’s eyes. You never have to worry about harsh chemicals, bleach, or antibiotics that might affect the dog’s eyes. Since the wipes are luxuriously soft, it is easy to wipe the sensitive areas such as around the eyes.
Pros
- No harsh chemicals
- Luxuriously soft cotton wipes
- Highly effective
Cons
- You can go through the 100 wipes quite fast and then you have to buy another package
Arava Pet Eye Wipes
These wipes are ideal for dog, cats, puppies, and kittens. They are effective for cleaning any tear stains from the pet’s face. The wipes are still ideal for dogs and cats with crusty eyes each time they wake up. Since they are soft and natural, you will be comfortable using them for your dog. The wipes are free from bleach and any other chemicals. The manufacturer uses natural ingredients, Dead Sea minerals, and vitamins to come up with the solution. Such a solution is still great for the pet’s skin and coat. Even if your dog has sensitive eyes, the solution does not affect it, but rather provide a soothing cleaning agent.
Pros
- Natural dog eye wipes
- Good for dogs with sensitive eyes
- The wipes are also good for cats
Cons
- It might take several passes to notice the difference
Burt’s Bees for Dogs Natural Tear Stain Remover
This is another great option for removing tear stains. The solution will safely and gently remove any of the stains around the eye area of a dog. It is made of all-natural ingredients such as chamomile, which is known for removing the stains effectively. You simply have to use it once daily to see results. Be patient as it might take up to 15 days to see results. The best part about this product is that it is suitable for all dogs and puppies.
Pros
- Great for dogs and puppies
- It is safe
- It is made of high-quality materials
Cons
- It takes too long to see visible results
Other Common Eye Problems in Dogs
As state earlier, a dog having teary eyes could mean there are other serious conditions causing the problem. It is best to understand what could be the issue with dog to find the suitable solution. Here are some of the common eye problems a dog might have.
Cherry eye
A dog has three eyelids. The third eyelid is not visible, but when there is a problem with the ligaments holding it in place, then it pops out of place. When it does this, it will end up giving off a cherry look and thus the name cherry eye. This condition is commonly genetic, so expect that both eyes would have this kind of problem.
To deal with the condition, a vet needs to perform a simple surgery to get the eyelid back to its normal position.
Corneal Wounds
The cornea of the eye can be wounded through cuts, punctures, and sometimes ulcers. The resulting wound is what leads to corneal wounds in a dog. The condition will lead to poor tear production that risks damaging the cornea over time. The affected eye is also likely to be red and sometimes have excessive drainage.
Any vet would recommend treating corneal wounds with antibiotic eye drops and ointments to help manage the pain and heal the cornea.
Pink Eye
Pink Eye can be as a result of physical irritation such as dust getting into the eyes, infections such as yeast and bacteria, and various allergic reactions a dog might have. The treatment will depend on what causes the pink eye. It is upon further examination by a vet that the right treatment can be used to help the dog get better.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is when the production and drainage fluid balance is disrupted in the eyes. The result is that the dog will feel pain in the eyes, get eye redness, corneal cloudiness, dilated pupils, and an increase in tear production. You should consider calling your vet immediately for a solution to having glaucoma. Depending on the extent of the condition, surgery might be required.
Conclusion
Any dog tear stain remover home remedy will get your dog looking better with all the stains removed. Some of the home remedies such as vinegar can be tough on your dog’s eyes so make sure it does not get into the eyes. You could still opt for the commercial products mentioned above as they are also effective in what they do. You should always be an observant pet owner to notice any issues with your pet. This is to ensure that the pet gets the right treatment for an eye disorder while it is in its early stages.
