Tear stains are a very common issue for many dogs but are the most recognizable on dogs with light or white fur. Have you wondered what causes those stains or if you should be worried about them? Here’s what to know about tear stains in dogs:

What Are Tear Stains on Dogs?

Tear stains on dogs refer to the discoloration that can occur over time on the inside corner of the eye and sometimes down the sides of a dog’s muzzle due to moisture buildup, usually from watery eyes.

Especially in white dogs and dogs with light-colored coats, tear stains appear in brown and reddish-brown colors. Although tear stains do occur with dogs who have darker fur, the staining is usually not as visible and is harder to spot.

Tear stains are usually not a cause for concern, but there can be some causes of them that are problematic. Tear stains can sometimes indicate an underlying health condition that isn’t just allergies. Also, if they are not cleaned regularly and properly, tear stains can lead to eye infections, skin irritation around the eyes, and more.

All dogs can develop tear stains, but there are some traits that can make them more common. Brachycephalic breeds or snub-nosed or flat-faced dogs tend to have shorter muzzles and large eyes. These traits can make them more likely to develop tear stains. Dogs with congenital tear duct abnormalities are also more predisposed to tear stains. Because tear stains are much more noticeable on them, dogs with white or light-colored coats are more likely to develop them as well.

What Causes Tear Stains on Dogs?

There can be a few things that cause tear stains on dogs.

1. Normal Tearing

In both humans and dogs, tears drain from the eyes to the inside of the nose through the nasolacrimal duct. This is why your nose runs when your eyes tear up. While dogs don’t cry like we do, there are a few reasons why dogs cry. In a normal eye with no abnormalities, tears produced by the eye’s lacrimal glands should drain out of the eye through tiny holes called the nasolacrimal puncta.

Nasolacrimal puncta in the corners of the eye act as drains for tears. The openings lead into a small passage, which gives the tears a path to drain into the dog’s nasolacrimal duct. The tears are directed down into the back of the dog’s nose and mouth, where they are swallowed unnoticed.

A lot of dog breeds have excessive tearing which can be attributed to a dog’s breed and head shape. Dogs that have rounder-shaped heads, like Shih Tzus, have eye sockets that do not drain tears as efficiently due to the shape and size of the eye. Many dog breeds, especially snub-nosed breeds and small dog breeds, are predisposed to have shallow eye sockets.

These shallow sockets can cause the tears to overflow the lower eyelids instead of draining through the nasolacrimal duct. The build-up of those tears on the face results in the reddish-brown tear staining. This is simply due to the dog’s head anatomy and there is no cure for the excessive tearing itself.

2. Excessive Tearing

If your dog has excessive tearing, there may be a few things causing it.

Entropion

Excessive tearing may be caused by a common eye problem in dogs called entropion. This condition causes a dog’s eyelids to roll inward. When this happens, the eyelashes as well as other hair around the eyes rub on the cornea, which leads to irritation. Entropion can affect both the upper and lower eyelids in one or both eyes. It can also cause discoloration around a dog’s eye.

If your dog has entropion, it will require surgery to correct it. These procedures are fairly straightforward and are usually taken care of by your veterinarian. Once your dog has recovered from the surgery and the swelling has gone down, the tear staining should resolve fairly quickly.

Irritation

If you’ve ever had an eyelash fall into your eye you know how much it can cause some discomfort and tearing. Just like humans, a dog’s eyes will produce excessive tears as a reaction to any irritation. Tears lubricate and protect the eye and flush out any irritants.

If your dog doesn’t usually have excessive tearing and staining, is squinting or rubbing only one eye, or has yellow-colored discharge or a reddened eye, they may have eye irritation. These are some symptoms you should never ignore in your dog and you should call a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Irritated eyes are very painful and can be vision-threatening if not treated as soon as possible. Infections, corneal ulcers, injuries, or uveitis need to be treated aggressively and closely monitored.

Allergies

Allergies are another cause of tearing as well as red, irritated eyes in dogs. It’s also a common reason why your dog is so itchy. Environmental allergens, like pollen, grass, or dust may be the culprit.

Any allergy should be treated through bathing, changing environmental factors, or allergy medications. Wiping them down after they’re outside, trying a vet-recommended antihistamine, and using air filters are ways to help your dog survive seasonal allergies. If the allergies can be resolved, excessive tearing and staining should resolve quickly.

How To Get Rid of Tear Stains From Dogs

If your dog’s tear stains are bothering you, you can try a few things to help get rid of them.

1. Take Your Dog to The Veterinarian

Getting rid of tear stains from your dog might require trying a few different methods to find an effective solution. Before you try any method, schedule a visit with your vet to check for any medical causes of tear stains. If your vet finds any underlying medical condition, follow any recommended treatment plan first to see if this resolves the tear stains.

If your veterinarian’s examination finds that the nasolacrimal duct is blocked, your dog will undergo general anesthesia to remove the blockage. This is done using small surgical instruments and flushing. This procedure is also used to widen a dog’s narrowed nasolacrimal ducts.

If your dog’s tear staining is caused by normal tear drainage that’s a result of their facial structure, the issue is harder to resolve. There is an effective treatment that requires giving your dog low-dose antibiotics regularly. However, this can be dangerous as it may result in your dog developing antibiotic resistance. This can prevent future rounds of antibiotics from working so it’s not recommended.

2. Try Cleansing Options

If there isn’t a medical condition that’s found to be causing tear staining, there are some cleansing options to help clear up your dog’s tear stains. These remedies include over-the-counter eye wipes and eye washes. Eye washes or solutions can be applied with cotton balls or a gentle cloth.

There are also at-home remedies such as using a warm washcloth and baby shampoo. Wiping the solution away from your dog’s eye will help avoid any product getting into the eye. This is a useful dog grooming tip even if your dog doesn’t have tear stains as the eye area should be gently cleaned regularly.

Before trying any of these methods, be sure to talk to your vet first, especially if your dog has other eye issues. Plus, your vet may be able to recommend a certain treatment method, type, or brand they have experience with.

After you’ve cleansed the tear-stained area, be sure to dry their face well with a clean and soft towel. Trimming the hair might be necessary in some severe cases. If you’re uncomfortable with doing the trimming yourself, set up an appointment with a professional dog groomer. If you’re having a hard time choosing the right dog groomer, try asking friends or your vet for recommendations.

How to Prevent Dog Tear Stains

Simply, dog tear stains are not preventable in some dogs, especially those with flat faces. However, with proper face cleaning, you can prevent staining. To keep tear stains from developing on your dog’s face, be sure to keep the hair around their eyes trimmed short. Practice good hygiene by cleansing the area regularly, too.

Some supplements claim to reduce tear staining on the fur. However, these results aren’t guaranteed. Remember that before you begin your dog on any medication supplement, ask your vet first.

This is just an overview of what to know about tear stains in dogs. Thankfully, most dogs with tear stains don’t have an underlying medical condition and are no cause for worry. However, if your dog hasn’t had tear stains in the past and is now developing them, be sure to contact your veterinarian.