3 Reasons Dog Tear Stains Should Be Addressed
You’ve likely seen a dog with reddish brown tear stains beneath its eyes before. These unsightly streaks are a common problem for certain breeds of dogs such as Shih-Tzus, Pomeranians, Poodles, Beagles, and Maltese, to name a few. Dog tear stains are the result of excessive tear production built up, causing a dog’s fur to discolor and stain. Dogs with light colored fur are especially prone to tear staining, as the reddish-brown stains stand out boldly against their lighter-colored coats.
Usually, a dog’s tears flow through small holes located near the eyes and drain down the throat. Dog tear stains are a sign that something has hindered this natural process. Dog tear stains are harmful for a number of reasons and should be taken care of right away.
Here are the top three reasons dog tear stains should be addressed:
There are a number of irritants that could be causing your pup’s eyes to water excessively and create tear stains. A few examples include allergies, smoke, and even ingrown eyelashes. Allergies are a result of your dog’s body perceiving an allergen as a threat. Allergies can occur seasonally or be caused by certain dog foods.
Smoke is another common irritant that can be making your pup look like it’s crying. Bonfires, grills, cigarettes, and other types of smoke could be the cause of your dogs excessively watery eyes and tear stains. Pay attention to your dog’s environment to determine if something in the area is triggering your dog's eyes to water excessively.
Bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cause an infection in your pup’s eyes. Even an ear infection can cause excessive eye watering and lead to tear stains. Conjunctivitis, the inflammation of the lining of your dog’s eyes, is another condition that can cause tear stains. A few symptoms of conjunctivitis include red eyes, rapid blinking, crusty eyes, and pawing at the eyes.
The best defense against infection is prevention! Which is exactly why we created Squishface Tear Stain Paste to create a water resistant barrier that helps to prevent bacteria from growing and infection forming. Regularly applying Squishface Tear Stain Paste is a safe, effective way to help prevent infection. It is also safe to apply if your dog’s tear stains are already infected, and will help to soothe your dog’s irritated skin.
Lastly, tear stains create unsightly marks on your pup’s adorable face. Even though you clean and groom your dog regularly, those tear stains look grungy and make your pup look unkempt. Keep your dog looking healthy and beautiful by first cleaning and removing the tear stains, and then determine the underlying cause of your dog’s tear stains to prevent them from recurring.
For more on what causes dog tear stains, read our other article, “Are Dog Tear Stains Permanent?”
How to Remove Dog Tear Stains
The first step to removing dog tear stains is cleaning the affected area. To start, wipe off the area with Squishface Wrinkle Wipes. Our versatile cleansing wipes are not just for cleaning wrinkly dogs! These convenient wipes also help to clean and soothe irritated tear stains on your dog. Next, apply Squishface Tear Stain Paste to the affected area once a day for at least 7 to 10 days. Many dog owners start to see results within a few days of continuous daily use.
In order to clear up your dog’s tear stains for good, you will have to identify what is causing your dogs excessive tearing in the first place. As mentioned, excessive eye watering and tear stains can be caused by a number of irritants as well as environmental factors. One area dog owners often overlook is the use of plastic feeding bowls and water bowls that can harbor bacteria and lead to allergies. It is also important to trim the hair around your pup’s eyes if it gets too long, as it can irritate your dog’s eyes when hair gets too close to their eyes.
Conclusion: Farewell, Dog Tear Stains!
In addition to being unsightly, tear stains don’t feel very good to your pup and are usually a sign of an underlying allergy or environmental factors. Dog tear stains aren’t something to be ignored, so be sure to apply Squishface Tear Stain Paste right away if you notice tear stains under your pup’s eyes!
