Epiphora is the veterinary term for excessive tear production. It is the most common cause of tear stains in dogs. Most pet owners will have to deal with this, so today I'll show you how to remove dog tear stains naturally or with the use of several dog tear stain products.
You can see all the steps in the above video, or read the full instructions below. But I also want to talk briefly about epiphora in dogs and what pet owners must know. For example, there is a common misconception about epiphora is that tear stains only occur in light colored breeds. That is not true. So here's what you should know first.
Epiphora in Dogs (Tear Staining)
Most dog can get tear stains around their eyes. While light colored breeds like the Shih Tzu, Maltese, and Lhasa Apso are more prone to tear staining, they have been observed to occur in almost all breeds, and veterinarians note that all dogs are susceptible to epiphora (tear stains).
As you'll see in my video, our Boxer suffers from severe tear staining. She is a brachycephalic breed, which means she has a pushed in nose. Most brachycephalic breeds are more prone to tear staining in general.
Other than genetics, other factors can result in tear stains in dogs, particularly due to the environment, owner's actions or a condition. For example, dogs exposed to secondhand smoke and eating from plastic dog food bowls are more likely to have tear stains.
Medical conditions that can cause tear staining in dogs include:
- Ingrown eyelashes
- Larger than normal tear glands
- Smaller than normal tear duct opening
- Glaucoma and other eye diseases
- Eye infections
- Ear infections
I've written more about dog tear stains here, but if your dog has had tear stains for most of his life, it's likely not anything to worry about. Be sure to mention that at his next annual vet exam though. That said, if your dog's tear staining begins suddenly or gets more severe, you should schedule an appointment with your vet right away to rule out any underlying medical condition causing the issue.
Another common misconception about tear stains in dogs is that this can only occur underneath the dog's eyes. Did you know that epiphora can show itself around the nose or on the muzzle, and even between your dog's toes? Tear stains around the dog's eyes are more common, however, and they are also easier to notice.
While the process of cleaning different body parts due to epiphora is different, you can still use the same solution and the same cleaning method to wipe other parts of your dog's body. Just be sure that the cleaner you are using is specifically made for dogs.
Cleaning up your dog is important. So here are the full details on how to remove dog tear stains naturally. I will also discuss a few dog tear stain products to consider, but I personally do not recommend them and advise owner to go the safe route.
MORE ADVICE: How-To Videos on Dog Grooming and Care
How to Remove Dog Tear Stains Naturally
Daily Cleaning to Remove Tear Stains
Below are the two quick and simple steps to do this without any trouble. But when learning how to remove dog tear stains naturally, you must remember that sticking to the schedule and frequency will be key. Tear stains in dogs build up over time, but with daily cleaning your can get rid of the unsightly marks for good.
The process itself is fast. Here's how to remove dog tear stains naturally in two steps:
1. Flush the eyes. The first step is to use a natural canine eye wash or saline solution to flush your dog's eye (see above picture). You may want to have a second person with you to help restrain your dog. As you'll notice in my video above, even the most mellow dogs don't like to have someone working near their eyes.
2. Remove the stains. After the flush, you'll need to wipe and clean around the eyes (right photo). Moisten a cotton ball with the same solution and wipe the tear stained area. If the stains are large you may need to use multiple cotton balls.
If your pet has tear stains on his muzzle, around his nose or in between his toes, you can wash them with dry or waterless shampoo and a wash cloth. Just apply a small amount of the shampoo to the cloth and rub it on the tear stains.
When learning how to remove dog tear stains naturally, natural dog grooming wipes can come in very handy, too. These wipes are safe for dogs and much easier and more convenient than a dog shampoo. Dry or waterless shampoos, as well as dog grooming wipes require no rinsing, which is a plus for dogs that are very anxious about the process.
How to Prevent Tear Stains on Dogs
As with everything, prevention is always better than cure. So even if you now know how to remove dog tear stains naturally, doing everything to prevent them will save you the trouble and your dog the stress. Here are a few things you can do:
1. Trim the hair. For dogs with longer coats in particular, remember to keep the hair around your dog's eyes trimmed to prevent it from irritating his eyes and causing excessive tearing.
2. Use different water. For severe or excessive tear stains on dogs, you can try switching to pure filtered water. Hard water may make this condition worse.
3. Improve drinking water. Some holistic veterinarians recommend adding a teaspoon of white vinegar or buttermilk powder into your dog's water bowl on a daily basis.
4. Food and diet. Like with other conditions in dogs, bad diet can worsen the case of tear stains, and good diet can improve or even get rid of tear stains on your dog. Dog foods with high meat content, little to no grains and low carbohydrates will work best.
If you want to know how to remove dog tear stains naturally, then the above two-step method and the focus on prevention of tear stains on dogs are the most healthy and safe way. That said, there are also dog tear stain remover products that you can use to reduce the prevalence of tear stains, but there's more to them than meets the eye.
Dog Tear Stain Remover Products
This isn't the most natural way for removing tear stains on dogs, but can you actually use a dog tear stain remover, and do they work?
Yes, dog tear stain remover products definitely work. And yes, you can use them with your pooch, and many dog owners do. One of the most popular brands of dog's tear stain removers is called Angel Eyes, and it's currently the most effective solution.
However, there's some controversy behind this product.
Angel Eyes tear stain remover is also more expensive than some other products in this category, but is also more effective than other solutions. Nevertheless, please familiarize yourself with what this is, and its potential side effects before deciding to use it.
For those wanting to avoid Angel Eyes product, as an alternative there are several brands of pet tear stain removers that are made of natural products, unlike Angel Eyes. They may be slightly less effective, but will also be healthier and safer for your dog. A few examples include Burt's Bees brand and a more popular Nutri-Vet remover.
There are other ways and products to remove tear stains, and I recommend you browse through more opinions and also consider whether this is something that you really need.
Is It Essential to Remove Tear Stains on Dogs?
No, not really. Tear staining likely bothers you a lot more than it bothers your pet. It's unsightly and can be very annoying, but it won't harm your Fido. And if your dog had tear stains most of his life, then there's really nothing to worry about.
The only time that you must look into this is when epiphora is due to an underlying health condition, and the tear staining is usually very excessive then. This can be noticed when your dog doesn't normally have tear stains but they start to appear often all of a sudden. You'll need to consult with your veterinarian at that point.