Almost every dog parent comes across the issue of tear stains around the eyes and fur of their four-legged furry friend nearly every day, and, more often than not, the sight is not only unpleasant but is also smelly.Â
Most people think only light-haired dogs are prone to these stains, but dark-haired dogs have it just as bad as any other dog, except that the stains are not visible. And while everyone wishes for these stains to go away or better not show up at all, the problem is as common as anything else. The only thing one could do is reduce the stains by taking preventive measures apart from cleaning it up for your dog whenever it appears. But, one needs to know the cause of tear stains before getting to the precautions and cure.Â
What Causes Tear Stains On Dogs
Although no pet parent can help but think that the tear stains are because their dog had cried or is suffering from depression and requires therapy, it is not the case, so do not worry.Â
The tear staining can be due to several physical conditions. It could be as simple as eye irritation due to ingrown eyelashes reaching up to the seriousness of it being a symptom of an underlying health condition that requires medical attention. While the chances of any serious implications are very thin, one must not delay consulting a vet in case of prolonged tear staining.Â
Shallow Eye Sockets
Some dogs naturally have very shallow eye sockets. These kinds of eyes just don’t have enough space to hold tears leading them to spill over the fur surrounding the eyes, causing stains.Â
Eyelids That Are Turned Inwards
A condition called ‘entropion’ leads to the eyelids folding inwards, in which case the skin and the eyelashes rub against each other, resulting in either blockage of the puncta (tear drainage holes) or excessive tearing.Â
Hair Growing Around The Eyes
Who hasn’t been in a teary situation when an eyelash or hair strand is in your eyeballs. Well, dogs are no different, just that they have a lot more hair, making tears almost inevitable. The fur surrounding your dog’s eyes growing out too long might just be the issue, causing them constant irritation in the eye and dog tears. The hairs might even be blocking the tear ducts (puncta), so make sure you check well enough and trim them regularly.Â
The Breed Of Your DogÂ
Though all dogs are lovable, you cannot deny that their breed does determine a lot of their physical traits, conditions, and even the diseases they might be more prone to. The same is the case with tear stains. Some dog breeds with a short face like the Maltese, Shih Tzus, etc., are more prone to tear stains. At the same time, breeds like Cocker Spaniels and Poodles suffer from blocked tear ducts instead of tear stains, making it more of a trait rather than something to worry about.Â
Scar Tissues Or InfectionsÂ
If your dog has previously suffered from an eye infection, even an ear infection, or a yeast infection, the chances of him developing conditions like excessive tearing or blocked puncta due to scar tissues increases by multi-folds.Â
Now that we know the most common reason behind tear stains let us discuss how to get rid of them and ways to take better care of your furry friend.Â
Give Your Dog A Deep Cleaning Bath
The most imperative and obvious step is to give your dog a good and deep cleanse before clearing the stains, especially around the eyes. It is best if you take your dog to an expert for a good professional bathing session as it will save you efforts and make the process of removing the stains a lot easier. They might even help you get rid of the stains or give you recommendations on a bunch of safe products you could use available in the market.Â
