Other Common Causes of Tear Stains in Dogs:
1. Allergies: Just like people, dogs can suffer from allergies that can cause runny eyes and tear stains. If your dog is suddenly developing tear stains and you suspect allergies may be to blame, talk to your veterinarian about possible treatment options.
2. Breed: Some dog breeds are more prone to tear stains than others due to the shape of their face or eyes. Breeds that commonly have tear stains include Poodles, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, and Cocker Spaniels.
3. Diet: Believe it or not, what your dog eats can also affect tear stains. If your dogs diet is lacking in certain nutrients, it can lead to runny eyes and tear stains. Make sure your dog is eating a balanced diet and talk to your veterinarian if you have any concerns.
4. Eye discharge: Dogs can sometimes get eye discharge due to infection, allergies, or other irritants. This discharge can mix with tears and cause staining. If you notice eye discharge along with tear stains, make an appointment with your veterinarian to have your dogs eyes checked out.
5. Tears: Excessive tearing can also be a cause of tear stains. This may be due to a problem with the dogs tear ducts or an irritation in the eye. If you notice your dogs tears are constantly running, it is important to have him checked out by a veterinarian.
There are several things you can do to help prevent tear stains from developing in the first place.
1. Keep your dogs face clean: Wiping your dogs face daily with Squishface Wrinkle Wipes is a great way to remove any dirt, debris, or discharge that could lead to staining.
2. Give your doggo regular baths: Bathing your dog on a regular basis will also help keep its face clean and free of any potential staining agents.
3. Feed your dog a healthy diet: A nutritious diet will help keep your dogs eyes healthy and less susceptible to tearing and staining.
4. Avoid using harsh chemicals: Some cleaning products or grooming supplies can contain harsh chemicals that can irritate your dogs eyes and cause tearing. If you are using any new products on your dog, be sure to watch for any signs of irritation. Squishface products are created without water or alcohol and with a limited, only absolutely essential ingredient list.
5. Check for allergies: If you suspect your dog may have allergies, talk to your veterinarian about possible treatment options. Taking care of any underlying allergies can help reduce the risk of tear stains.
If your dog already has tear stains, there are several things you can do to help get rid of them.
1. Wipe away any discharge: We recommend Squishface Wrinkle Wipes to gently wipe away any debris or discharge from your dogs eyes. Be careful not to rub too hard, as this could irritate the eyes.
2. Apply a small pea sized amount of Wrinkle Paste (1 per each area) directly against the skin and not just on top of the fur.
3. Wipe away excess Paste that may have gotten outside of the Wrinkle or Tear Stain area.
4. Leave it alone for 24 hrs!
5. Repeat once daily for 7-10 days. Many dogs are able to see a difference by this time and you can choose to either continue daily use or decrease to every other day or as needed.
Can Chicken Cause Tear Stains in Dogs?
Yes, chicken can cause tear stains in dogs. This is because chicken meat contains a pigment called porphyrin, which can build up in the dogs tears and cause staining. Other foods that contain porphyrin include liver, beef, and pork. If your dog is prone to tear stains, you may want to avoid feeding them, or reduce the amount you feed them these foods.
What Causes Tear Stain In Dogs?
Tear stains are caused by a pigmented molecule that a dog’s body excretes as a waste product. This waste product is known as porphyrins, the waste product of red blood cells.1
Porphyrins contain iron, which has a dark reddish-brownish color and carries oxygenated blood. This explains the reddish color of tear stains.
This waste product is usually excreted through the digestive system, but it may also be expelled via urine, saliva, and tears when there is a buildup of porphyrin in the dog’s system.
Internal or external factors can cause a buildup of porphyrins and drive the over-stimulation of excessive tear production, also known as Epiphora.2
According to Mercola Healthy Pets, the most common medical causes of tear staining in dogs include but are not limited to:
Beware, tear stains will intensify/darken in the presence of sunlight.
Tear stains develop when a dog’s tears accumulate under the eyes, providing the perfect breeding ground for bacteria or yeast to grow.
Furthermore, the overproduction of tears causes chemical waste (porphyrins) in their tears to soak into their fur, leading to tear stains. Constant watery discharge and moisture in the eye or other body parts can lead to this condition.
While tear staining in dogs is usually harmless, it can also be a symptom of a serious underlying health problem. Infections in the eye, such as glaucoma, conjunctivitis, ingrown eyelashes, and entropion, can cause tear staining.
If you notice tear staining in your dog, please take him to a veterinary ophthalmologist to rule out any health concerns. Dogs can also experience tear stains due to sensitivities, such as food or seasonal allergies, stress, genetic exposure to irritants such as dust, or even teething during puppyhood.
Many conditions can cause dogs to suffer from tear staining. However, this article will focus on how a dog’s diet and food may help increase or prevent this condition.
How To Naturally Treat Dog Tear Staining
If your dog has tear stains and you have tried everything to treat them with no luck, their diet may be the culprit. Did you know fillers and preservatives in kibble cause chemical waste buildup in dog eyes, ultimately leading to excessive tearing and tear stains? This is just one of many dietary and underlying health reasons these pesky marks appear.
In this review, our research team recommends ten of the best dog foods to prevent tear stains, all complete with in-depth reviews. And if you are looking for a breed-specific solution such as the best food for Maltese to prevent tear stains, we also got you covered. We’ve listed the best food to get rid of tear stains for different needs because we know each dog is unique.
We’ve also included a buyer’s guide covering dog nutrition’s importance and impact on tear stains, foods that cause tear stains, diet prevention tips, risks and everything in between. Be sure to read it before you select one of the best dog foods that won’t cause tear stains. Let’s dive right in!