Many people are bothered by the presence of tear stains near their pet’s eyes. Perhaps it is because it makes their pet look sickly, sad, or a little less cute.
Whatever the reason, we are here to help you understand what tear staining is and how you can help stop it (well at least lessen it!).
Let’s start with what tear staining is. Tears contain porphyrin which is an iron-containing molecule and has a reddish-brown pigment.
It is a waste product that results when the body breaks down red blood cells. It's not only in tears, but also in saliva, feces, and urine.
So, fur staining can happen not only around the eyes, but around the mouth, wherever your pet excessively licks (paws are common), or around their "private parts."
All pets have porphyrin in their tears, but some have more than others. It is also more visible on pets with white or light-colored hair.
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Common Causes of Tear Staining
Causes in Dogs
The common cause of tear staining in dogs isn’t excessive tear production. Rather it is more a result of the way tears drain from their eyes.
Normal variations among dogs and cats in the eyelid opening cause tears to drain down the face instead of down the tear ducts.
Additionally, if their tear ducts are blocked it can cause insufficient drainage of tears resulting in them running down your pet's face.
Some other minor possible causes include long fur around their eyes or allergies.
Certain breeds (see below) are more likely to have issues with tear staining because they have one or more of the following facial characteristics or issues:
- Skin folds around the eyes
- Shallow eye sockets
- Predisposition to blocked nasolacrimal ducts
Susceptible dog breeds include:
- Cocker Spaniel
- Maltese
- Pekinese
- Poodle
- Pug
- Breeds and breed mixes with smush-faces
Many medical eye conditions can cause tear staining since they cause ocular discharge. Additionally, any condition (teething in puppies, dental issues stress, anxiety, hormonal imbalances, etc.) that causes increased tear production can cause tear staining.
Causes in Cats
Tear staining in cats is most commonly caused by excessive tear production (epiphora).
Excessive tear production is most often associated with insufficient tear drainage due to blocked nasolacrimal ducts or from deformities that cause poor eyelid function. Other potential causes include medical causes of goopy eyes as well as upper respiratory infections.
Breeds of cats with flat faces, such as Persians, Himalayans, and Exotic Shorthairs are more predisposed to developing tear stains. This is likely due to the fact that their facial anatomy (short face, rounded skulls, and protruding eyes) prevents the proper drainage of tears. Also, their nasolacrimal ducts are more easily blocked with hair due to their facial conformation.
How to Manage Tear Staining
There are a few things you can do to manage your pet’s tear staining.
But first a word of caution.
There are many products out there claiming they are safe and effective for treating tear stains. But the reality is, many of them are not approved for use in pets and they have not been tested for safety or effectiveness.
Additionally, many of them contain the antibiotic tylosin tartrate in low levels.
Continual use of low levels of an antibiotic can lead to resistance in bacteria. When bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, they can potentially become ‘superbugs’ that are difficult to treat with standard antibiotics.
The FDA even issued a warning about tear stain removers to manufacturers and this AVMA post lists the "offending" brands.
Do not to use hydrogen peroxide, makeup remover, vinegar, or apple cider vinegar on your pet's face.
Considering Tear Stain Chews?
There are many tear-stain chews available, but it is important to consult with your veterinarian prior to use especially if your pet has any underlying medical issues.
For example, marshmallow root can interfere with the absorption of certain medications, and it can lower blood sugar, which can be dangerous for diabetic pets.
Additionally, their effectiveness is variable. To notice any difference, they must be used consistently. It typically takes, on average, 6 to 10 weeks to see results, and if they work, you must continue to use them or the issue will return.
This could be a costly supplement whose only benefit is cosmetic. In the next section, I explain how probiotics can help, as they have far more benefits than just improving tear stains.
Tips to Manage Tear Stains
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Keep hair around the eyes and nose trimmed very short. This allows for better drainage of tears since the hair can’t trap them and it keeps the area dryer.
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Clean and dry your pet’s face daily — ideally twice daily — with a warm washcloth and a tear-free hypoallergenic pet shampoo or pet wipes such as unscented Furbliss hygienic pet wipes.
Note: It is important to use unscented and hypoallergenic products or wipes near your pet's eye to avoid further irritation or worsen allergies.
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After cleaning the eye area, apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the hair below the eye. This will help the tears slide off and not adhere to their hair.
Some groomers use blueberry facials, which are supposedly hypoallergenic and tearless, as well as moisturizing and nourishing.
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Yeast can be present in tear or fur stains. If your dog's paws or face smell like "corn chips," there's likely yeast growing. Using anti-fungal cleaners can potentially help.
- Boric acid may help with tear stain cleaning. You can try a safe contact lens cleaner.
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Probiotics improve gut health and boost the immune system.
When the gut bacteria is imbalanced it leads to inflammation and increased tear production. Additionally, since stress and anxiety can increase tear production, using a probiotic, such as Purina ProPlan Calm Care, available for dogs and cats, may provide you with double benefits.
Note: Though there is little research on the topic, giving digestive enzymes along with probiotics will help to further break down yeasts and fungus in the body that can worsen tear staining. This probiotic also has digestive enzymes.
Warning: Consult with your veterinarian before starting any supplements, especially if your pet has any underlying medical issues.
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Some pet owners swear that using filtered water instead of tap water decreases tear staining. Since some tap water can have a high mineral content, especially iron, it can potentially lead to tear staining.
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Avoid using plastic bowls since they can harbor bacteria since bacteria can worsen tear staining.
Even though tear staining is common, it is important to have your vet evaluate your pet, especially if their eyes are red or irritated, to be sure there are no underlying medical issues.
Homemade Tear Stain Removers
While DIY treatments are popular for many ailments, you shouldn’t try them for tear stain removal. Many of the suggested ingredients in homemade tear stain removal recipes, like hydrogen peroxide, makeup remover, lemon, or vinegar can cause serious trauma to your pet’s eye if they come into direct contact with it.
Fur Staining Around the Mouth
Saliva, like tears, contains porphyrin. When saliva sits on the fur, especially on white or light-colored fur, it can cause it to become stained.
Increased staining around the mouth can be caused by:
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Drool-prone dogs, such as Saint Bernards, Bassett Hounds, or Great Danes
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Dental issues cause increased salivation
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Food allergies or intolerances cause increased salivation and skin irritation
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Stress, anxiety, or boredom
If you notice increased staining around your pet’s mouth, it is important to have them evaluated by their vet to rule out medical issues. Staining will progress until the medical issue is treated or managed.
Be sure to regularly clean your pet’s face with a warm damp cloth, especially after eating or playing with toys.
If your pet has long hair around their mouth, keep it trimmed short to help keep the area dryer.
Consider supplementing your pet with probiotics, antioxidants, and Omega-3 fatty acids (anti-inflammatory).
If you suspect stress or boredom is part of the issue, be sure your pet is getting plenty of mental enrichment and exercise, and seek behavioral help from a professional if you can't get their anxiety under control.
Excessive Licking that Causes Fur Staining
You may not realize your pet is excessively licking an area of their body until you see pinkish or brownish-stained fur. The common areas to check include their lips, paws, between digits, forearms, over joints (hips, stifles), bellies, and ‘private parts’.
You may be wondering why your pet is excessively licking an area of their body. Excessive licking can be caused for several different reasons including:
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Pain due to arthritis, trauma, or long cracked nails
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Skin issues
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Skin infection — bacterial, yeast, or fungal
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Allergic dermatitis — food or environmental
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Parasites — ticks, fleas, or mites
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Behavioral issues — boredom, stress, or anxiety
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Urinary tract infection
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Vaginitis
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Anal gland issues
If you notice fur staining on your pet, consult with your veterinarian so that the underlying cause can be diagnosed and treated. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, your pet will continue to suffer and can cause further trauma to their body.
Treatment and management will be based on the underlying cause. For example, infections may require antibiotics, antifungal medications, supplements, and diet changes whereas behavioral issues may require medications, mental enrichment, and a referral to a certified behavioral expert.
Regardless of the cause, it is important to keep areas they are excessively licking clean and dry. You can use gentle hypoallergenic wipes or the iClean mini to keep the area clean. To keep it dry, you can gently rub the area with a soft, clean towel or use a hair dryer on cool.
