What Causes Dog Eye Stains and How to Prevent Them
Dog Eye Stains
Ever seen your furry friends red, crusty stains all around their eyes? What are these things and how do you get rid of them? Don't worry, we're here to help.
These stains are caused by a build-up of tears, debris, and bacteria in the fur around the eyes. While tear stains are mostly just a cosmetic issue, they can sometimes be a sign of a more serious underlying health condition and if left untreated, they can lead to irritation and infection. If your dog's tear stains are accompanied by excessive tearing, redness, discharge, or squinting, it could be a sign of an infection or other eye problem. If you notice any of these symptoms, we recommend taking your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
What Causes Dog Eye “Tear Stains”?
First things first, let's talk about what those red, crusty stains actually are. They're called "tear stains" and they're pretty much exactly what they sound like. They occur when tears combine with bacteria and yeast on your dog's fur and skin, which causes the area around your dog's eyes to become irritated and inflamed. Tear stains are most common in dogs with white fur, but they can also occur in dogs with dark-colored fur.
How to Prevent Pet Eye Stains?
The easiest thing and most important thing to do to prevent eye stains from forming in the first place is to keep your dog's eyes clean and free of debris.
You can do this by wiping them with a damp cloth every day or using an eye rinse designed specifically for dogs. You should also avoid getting soap near your dog's eyes when bathing them as it can irritate the area and cause more tearing which in turn causes staining.
How to Remove Dog Eye Stains?
Now that we know what those pesky tear stains are, let's talk about how to get rid of them.
1. Clean them:
Clean the area around your dog's eyes daily with a warm, wet cloth. Gently wipe away any crustiness and then dry the area thoroughly. This will help remove any irritants that could be causing your dog's tear stains and will also prevent new ones from forming.
2. Try Wipes:
Try an over-the-counter eye wipes or gel specifically designed for dogs (ask your vet or groomer for recommendations). These products can help soothe your dog's eyes and may also help prevent tear stains from forming in the first place.
3. Change the water:
Try changing the water your dog drinks, a lot of time, staining comes from having too many minerals in the dog's system so switching to a demineralized water for your pup can prevent staining from happening in the future!
4. Seek Professional Care:
If these methods don't seem to be working or if your dog's tear stains are particularly bad, you can ask a professional groomer to clean the staining out but if the staining persists you may need to consult your vet for additional treatment options. In some cases, antibiotics may be necessary to clear up an infection that could be causing the tear stains.
We hope this article has helped you better understand tear stains in dogs and how to remove them. Remember, if you have any concerns about your dog's eye health or if the tear stains seem to be getting worse instead of better, be sure to take them to the vet for a checkup. While eye stains may be unsightly, they are generally harmless and easy to prevent with regular cleaning. However, if left untreated, they can lead to irritation and infection. If you notice any signs of redness or discharge around your dog's eyes, be sure to take them to the vet for an evaluation.
