Tear stains in dogs: how to remove them

Tear stains in dogs are a problem faced by owners. Today, we'll explore in more detail the causes of tear stains in dogs of different breeds and pigmentation around the eyes in white dogs, as well as how to address the problem and remove the unwanted color.

Causes of tear ducts

Tear streaks are most often noticed in light-colored dogs, although the problem is common in many animals, regardless of breed and coat color (it even occurs in cats).

"Tear streaks" appear as pigmented patches of fur in the corners of the eyes and cheek area. The colored fur can take on various shades, from pink to yellow-orange or even dark brown.

In veterinary medicine, uncontrollable tearing is called "epiphoraIf the pathological condition is not treated, dermatitis and even hair loss in the areas affected by tears may develop in addition to fur pigmentation. The dog may also experience severe itching and discomfort, which may lead to scratching of the face, further aggravating the situation. There may be several reasons for the formation of such an aesthetic defect, but all of them are somehow connected with increased lacrimation (epiphora):

1. Allergic reactionIn most cases, this symptom indicates a food allergy, although a reaction to household chemicals, pollen, and other allergens is also possible.
2. Getting wool into the eyesThis problem is common in long-haired dogs with bangs. The animal's body perceives the hairs as a foreign body and increases tear production to flush them out.
3. Features of the structure of the eye and eyelidsIf your pet has large, bulging eyes and sparse, poorly protected eyelashes, it's impossible to avoid dust, sand, and other contaminants getting into the eyes, which in turn causes increased tearing.
4. Anomalies of the structure of the lacrimal canalThe problem may be congenital or occur after the animal has suffered an infectious disease.
5. Infectious diseasesInflammatory processes in the eye, ear, or nasopharynx can cause increased tear production.

Given the variety of causes for this problem, owners need to not only think about how to remove such an aesthetic defect as "tear tracks" in white and light-colored dogs, but also seek out and eliminate the root cause of the epiphora.

Breed predisposition

There is a breed predisposition to the appearance of "tear tracks", which is due to the fact that representatives of some breeds are more likely to experience the causes described above.

Breeds that are at increased risk of developing unsightly pink, yellow, or light brown spots under the eyes include:

• Maltese;
• Bichon Frise;
• Maltipoo;
• French Bulldog;
• Yorkshire Terrier;
• Spitz;
• American Cocker Spaniel;
• Poodle, etc.

There is an obvious correlation: the lighter the animal’s fur, the more pronounced the pigmented spot will be and the more noticeable the inflammation of the skin in the area of ​​the tear duct.

How to remove tear stains

The solution to the problem of how to remove tear ducts in dogs of any breed should begin with diagnosis and identification of the cause of the pathological tear flow.

By visiting a specialized forum, you can find a wide variety of tips on how to remove pigmentation from fur at home, but without addressing the underlying cause, you won't be able to completely eliminate the problem. In most cases, the solution must be comprehensive and include treating the underlying cause of epiphora and eliminating the cosmetic defect.

Treating the underlying cause

A veterinarian can determine what exactly causes pathological tears by conducting a comprehensive examination of the animal and a series of laboratory tests.

Treatment will depend on the diagnosis:

In most cases, the treatment process is long and complex, so you should not expect an aesthetic effect earlier than 3-4 weeks after the start of treatment.

Learn more about hypoallergenic food for white dogs Read our article.

Elimination of aesthetic defect

Important! Never use products such as hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or citric acid to lighten the stains around the eyes. If these liquids come into contact with the mucous membrane, you can seriously injure the animal and even cause blindness.

To remove pigmentation in the tear duct area of ​​a French Bulldog or Spitz with a light coat, as well as white Fishon and Maltese, you can use a special product - lotion or powder.

• Lotion To bleach wool, apply to a cotton pad and gently apply to the pink or brown area of ​​wool.
• Powder Anti-tear stain for dogs is applied with a special brush against hair growth.

If the pigmentation is very pronounced (has a brown tint), then the powder or lotion will not eliminate the problem in 1-2 applications, but it will reduce skin inflammation and lighten the coat, and as the underlying cause of the problem is eliminated, the unsightly "tear tracks" will also disappear.

The ranking of products recommended by veterinarians for eliminating pigmentation of fur in the eye area includes products from the following manufacturers:

Before purchasing any product, we recommend not only reading reviews and ingredients, but also consulting with a veterinarian!

Tips for breeders

Read also:

• Chlorhexidine shampoo for dogs
• A white dog's fur turns yellow after trimming: why and what to do
• Dog grooming in the salon and at home