Dogs are adorable and full of love—and sometimes, your dog’s eyes can bring us some not-so-adorable stains. While pups’ eyes look so cute, tear staining can be a nuisance and a challenge to remove. But don’t worry! There are natural remedies that you can use to get rid of those pesky stains without using harsh chemicals or spending loads of money. Read on to learn how to remove dog tear stains naturally.
The Causes of Dog Tear Stains
Before we go into how to remove tear stains on dogs naturally, it’s important to understand why these stains appear in the first place. The most common cause is an excessive amount of tears due to blocked tear ducts or allergies. Some breeds, like Shih Tzus, Cocker Spaniels, and Poodles, are more prone to having excess tearing because of their facial structure, but any breed can have issues with blocked tear ducts or allergies that lead to tear staining. Brachycephalic breeds can also struggle. Light-colored dogs, especially white dogs, suffer from tear stains more often. There can also be issues like a yeast infection or excessive tears, an eye infection or other health issues.
Start with the Basics
Before we dive into natural remedies, it is important for dog owners to make sure that their pup is healthy first and foremost. If your pup has persistent tear staining or looks like he is in discomfort, it’s best to consult a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
Examine Your Pup’s Diet
If your pup is healthy but still has tear staining, examining its diet could be beneficial. Processed foods contain more salt and other chemicals than natural options, which could contribute to the staining. Consider transitioning your pup over to a diet with natural ingredients; this is one of the best ways to help keep them healthy overall, in addition to reducing the amount of tearing around their eyes and on your dog’s face. There are plenty of brands of dog food that help fight the aforementioned medical conditions or allergic reactions.
Try Dietary Supplements
It may sound strange, but adding certain dietary supplements to your pup’s diet can actually help reduce tear staining caused by excessive mucus production from their tear ducts. Omega 3 fatty acids are known to be beneficial for reducing inflammation in both humans and animals, so adding omega 3 supplements to your pup’s food could be helpful in reducing their tear stains naturally. You should also consider adding antioxidants such as Vitamin E, which have been shown to reduce oxidative stress in animals, which can lead to less tearing and less discoloration around their eyes over time. Other additives can help boost your pup’s immune system on a daily basis.
Clean Regularly
The next step is cleaning regularly around your pup’s eyes. Use warm water and a damp cloth, cotton ball or paper towel and gently cleanse away any discharge or excessive tearing from their eyes twice per day (once in the morning and once at night). This helps clear away any bacteria or dirt that may have built up and helps reduce further tear staining down the line.
There are also natural tear stain remover brands, and even a dab of hydrogen peroxide can be a great dog tear stain remover. Read on for more natural products and different things that can help pet owners. It is also a good first step and a preventative measure to introduce regular grooming.
Natural Remedies, You Can Try
There are several natural remedies you can try if you want additional help removing dog tear stains and supporting your dog’s health.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Dilute 1 part apple cider vinegar or white vinegar with 4 parts water, then apply it directly onto the stain on light-colored fur using a cotton swab or clean cloth daily until it fades away completely! (Note: Do NOT apply undiluted vinegar directly onto your pup.)
Coconut Oil
Rubbing coconut oil onto the area around your pup’s eye twice per day can help reduce redness and swelling while also hydrating their skin!
Baking Soda
Make a paste out of baking soda and water, then apply it directly onto the stain (use only enough paste so as not to damage your pup’s fur). Let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping it off, then repeat every few days until desired results are achieved!
Lemon Juice
Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto a cotton swab or clean cloth and dab it onto the affected area daily until the stain lightens up; this should work within 2 weeks’ time!
Oats
Make an oatmeal paste by blending oats with water, then apply it directly onto the stained area for 10 minutes before wiping it off; repeat once per week for best results!
You Have Options
Removing dog tear stains doesn’t have to be difficult—or expensive. By following these simple steps, you can naturally keep those pesky stains away from Fido’s face without any harsh chemicals or store-bought products! Start with examining his diet, cleaning regularly around his eyes, then experimenting with some natural remedies like apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, baking soda, lemon juice, or oats until you find one that works best for him! Good luck!