Jeffrey Salazar
There are many causes of tear stains in dogs, including infection, anatomy, genetics, irritation, and diet. While tear staining is a natural process for dogs, it can be exacerbated by a poor diet. For example, low-quality dog food containing grains, fillers, and artificial ingredients can cause allergies and irritation, leading to excessive tearing and tear stains. Additionally, environmental toxins, such as cleaning products and pesticides, can contribute to tear staining. Dog owners can try various remedies, such as using tear stain removers, monitoring allergies, and improving their dog's diet by switching to grain-free food or adding pre/probiotics and enzymes to their meals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Excess tear production, blocked tear ducts, eye infections, allergies, irritation from dust and debris, diet, breed, shallow eye sockets, eye inflammation, tumours, foreign material stuck in the duct, glaucoma, eyelashes or fur rubbing on the cornea, underlying health issues |
| Appearance | Reddish-brown stains around the eyes |
| Treatment | Veterinary advice, saline solution, antibiotics, apple cider vinegar, buttermilk powder, hydrogen peroxide, eye wipes, eye washes, coconut oil, trimming fur, contact lens cleaning solution, boric acid, purified/distilled/reverse-osmosis water, saline eyewash, Vetericyn ophthalmic gel, Lincocin, Tylosin, Neomycin-polymyxin, Chloramphenicol eye drops |
| Prevention | Regular grooming, proper diet, daily eye care, face cleaning, trimming hair around eyes, high-quality diet without artificial additives and allergens, grain-free diet, omega fatty acids, hydration |
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What You'll Learn
- Dietary toxins, such as cleaning products, pesticides, and medications, can cause tear stains
- Excess iron in the diet can increase porphyrin in tears, causing staining
- Food intolerances can cause watery eyes and colitis
- Probiotics and enzymes in dog food can help with tear stains
- High-GI ingredients like wheat and corn can cause an allergic response, leading to inflammation and blocked tear ducts
Dietary toxins, such as cleaning products, pesticides, and medications, can cause tear stains
While tear stains in dogs are usually caused by shallow eye sockets, blocked tear ducts, or hair growth around the eyes, dietary toxins can also be a factor. These toxins include cleaning products, pesticides, and medications.
Cleaning products, such as laundry detergents, can contain fragrances and chemicals that are harmful to dogs. Pesticides and lawn chemicals can also be toxic if ingested. Additionally, medications like vaccines, de-worming treatments, and antibiotics can sometimes lead to tear stains as a side effect. It is important to be mindful of the potential impact of these substances on your dog's health.
Furthermore, the quality of your dog's diet plays a significant role in tear staining. A diet lacking essential nutrients or high in fillers, artificial ingredients, and common sensitivities can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome, leading to inflammation and an over-reactive immune system. This, in turn, can contribute to increased tear production and worsened staining.
To address tear stains caused by dietary toxins, it is recommended to provide your dog with a nutrient-rich diet that is easy to digest and free from artificial additives and common sensitivities. Prebiotics and probiotics can also help restore and maintain a healthy gut microbiome, reducing inflammation and potentially minimizing tear staining.
Additionally, ensuring your dog has access to fresh, clean water is crucial for maintaining proper eye health and preventing tear stains. Proper hydration helps flush out toxins and keeps the body functioning optimally.
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Excess iron in the diet can increase porphyrin in tears, causing staining
It is important to note that tear stains in dogs are almost always indicative of an infection, an imbalance, or excess iron intake. If your dog is exposed to irritants or has structural eye issues, tear stains will be more pronounced but still usually indicate a deeper issue.
Tap water, particularly well water, often contains iron, which can also contribute to the formation of porphyrins. Using filtered water can help prevent or treat tear stains. A diet with excess amounts of carbohydrates can also cause non-antibiotic-related gut imbalances in dogs. These types of foods also tend to have added iron supplements, which can compound the problem.
To address tear stains, it is recommended to switch to a higher-quality diet that features quality meats as the primary ingredient. This will help the gut heal and reduce excess porphyrin production. It is also important to keep the hair around your dog's eyes trimmed to avoid hair getting into their eyes and causing discomfort and irritation.
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Food intolerances can cause watery eyes and colitis
Watery eyes in dogs can be caused by a variety of factors, including environmental irritants such as pollen, dust, cleaning products, lawn chemicals, and pesticides. Certain breeds, such as short-nosed dogs, may be more prone to watery eyes due to anatomical features like shallow eye sockets or hair growth around the eyes.
However, diet can also play a role in watery eyes and tear staining in dogs. Dietary intolerances or allergies to certain foods can cause excessive tearing. For example, a dog owner reported that their Pom develops watery eyes and tear stains when fed chicken or turkey. Another owner observed that their dog's tear stains reduced by about 50% after switching to a grain-free diet and taking daily dog multivitamins.
In addition to watery eyes, dietary intolerances can also contribute to colitis in dogs. Colitis refers to inflammation of the large intestine or colon, and it can cause symptoms such as frequent diarrhea, mucus or blood in the stool, and straining during bowel movements. Food sensitivities are a common cause of chronic colitis, and a veterinarian may recommend an elimination diet or a novel protein diet to identify and address specific triggers.
If you suspect that your dog's diet is causing watery eyes or colitis, it is important to consult with a veterinarian. They can advise on appropriate diagnostic tests, dietary changes, and other treatments to address these issues effectively.
By identifying and addressing any dietary intolerances, you can help improve your dog's overall health and comfort, ensuring they lead a happy and healthy life.
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Probiotics and enzymes in dog food can help with tear stains
While tear stains are a common occurrence in dogs, they can be frustrating for owners to deal with. The good news is that there are natural solutions to this problem that do not involve the use of antibiotics.
Tear stains in dogs can be caused by a variety of factors, including breed, environment, and diet. For example, certain breeds like Pekingese and Shih Tzu have shallow eye sockets due to their flat faces, which can cause tears to spill out onto their fur. Environmental factors such as cleaning products, laundry products, pesticides, and lawn chemicals can also contribute to tear staining.
Dietary factors can also play a significant role in tear stains. Some dogs may have allergies or intolerances to specific ingredients in their food, leading to excessive tearing and tear stains. These allergies can be identified through an allergy panel conducted by a veterinarian. Additionally, some dog food ingredients, while safe for consumption, can cause excessive tearing and other symptoms.
To address tear stains caused by dietary factors, some dog owners have found success in adding pre/probiotics and enzymes to their dog's kibble or canned food. Probiotics help to get rid of yeast issues, which are a common underlying cause of tear stains. Enzymes further help break down yeast and residual fungus in the body that contributes to yeast stains. By combining enzymes and probiotics, products like the Miracle Pack or MiracleZyme chews can effectively reduce tear stains.
It is important to consult with a veterinarian before making any significant changes to your dog's diet. They can provide guidance on the appropriate type and dosage of probiotics and enzymes to use, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the treatment. Additionally, a veterinarian can help rule out any underlying health conditions that may be causing the tear stains and provide alternative solutions if needed.
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High-GI ingredients like wheat and corn can cause an allergic response, leading to inflammation and blocked tear ducts
Tear stains in dogs can be a cosmetic concern, but they can also indicate underlying health issues. Brachycephalic dogs, like Brussels Griffons, Bulldogs, and Pekingese, have shortened nasal passages that can become blocked, making it harder to drain tears away. Other dogs may have a tear duct opening that hasn't developed properly, a condition called imperforate punctum, which prevents the normal drainage of tears. This condition is more common in breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Cocker Spaniels.
High-GI ingredients like wheat and corn can cause an allergic response in dogs, leading to inflammation and blocked tear ducts. This inflammation can constrict the tear ducts and sinuses, causing excess tears and a permanent dampness in the skin and fur. This environment is ideal for the growth of yeast, bacteria, and fungus, which can lead to infections and staining.
To address this issue, consider switching your dog to a grain-free diet that doesn't contain wheat, soy, or corn. However, grain-free dry food may not be a healthier option, and it's important to consult with your veterinarian before making any dietary changes. In some cases, a hydrolyzed diet may be recommended, which uses a process that breaks up molecules that could cause allergic reactions. While this can be beneficial in reducing immune hypersensitivities related to food, it's important to work with a veterinary professional to determine the best course of action for your dog's specific needs.
In addition to dietary modifications, you can take other steps to minimize tear stains and maintain your dog's eye health. Regularly clean your dog's face with a damp cloth to remove dirt, dust, pollen, and other environmental allergens. Use a clean, damp cloth to gently wipe their eyes, and consider switching to metal bowls to minimize the risk of bacterial infections that can contribute to tear stains. If your dog is experiencing eye discomfort, increased tear production, or other types of eye discharge, consult your veterinarian for further advice and treatment options.
It is important to note that while diet can play a role in tear stains and eye health in dogs, there may be other underlying causes. These can include entropion, glaucoma, or other eye problems that require veterinary attention. A veterinary ophthalmologist who specializes in animal eye care may be able to provide specialized treatment options.
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Frequently asked questions
Tear stains are a common problem for many dog breeds, especially those with shallow eye sockets, such as Pugs, Poodles, Malteses, and Shih Tzus. The stains are caused by a build-up of pigments called porphyrin, which turns reddish-brown with prolonged exposure to air.
Yes, your dog's diet can contribute to tear stains. Dogs can be sensitive to certain ingredients in their food, such as low-quality grains, fillers, and artificial additives. Environmental toxins, such as cleaning products and pesticides, can also contribute to tear stains.
To prevent tear stains caused by diet, you can try switching to a grain-free, additive-free dog food. You can also add pre/probiotics and enzymes to their food. Additionally, ensure your dog has access to clean drinking water, as some dogs are sensitive to the additives and minerals in tap water.
If your dog's tear stains are caused by diet, they may also exhibit other symptoms, such as gastrointestinal issues or skin irritation. You can try eliminating potential allergens from their food and environment to see if the tear stains improve.
To prevent and treat tear stains, you can use tear stain removers specifically designed for dogs. You can also try wiping the area around your dog's eyes with a damp cloth or using eye wipes several times a day. Keeping your dog's face well-groomed and their hair around the eyes trimmed can also help minimize tear stains.
