Get Your Dog’s Hair TrimmedÂ
Although there are many other conditions one could blame the tear stains for, the untrimmed and outgrowing fur near the eyes is undoubtedly the prime cause in almost 90% of the cases, or is at least making the condition worse by irritating the eye further. Though you can undoubtedly give your furry friend a nice hair trim at home right away, it is best to seek professional help for the job, as getting the hair near the eyes trimmed at home requires a great deal of skill and patience, not to mention the risk of cuts and injuries.Â
Home Remedies To TryÂ
Now that your dog is all clean, it is time to treat the tear stains. And, though one can easily find good all-natural tear stain removers on a pet store, it is as easy to make a home alternative for the same, which are as effective as the former, if not more. Let us have a look at some home remedies you must give a try:
Milk Of Magnesia – Make a paste using equal parts of milk of magnesia and hydrogen peroxide, with a bit of cornstarch. Now, rub this paste on and around the area of tear stains, letting it sit for at least four hours before you wash it off.Â
Tip – restrain your dog from scratching away the paste by constantly keeping an eye on him, or you could use a “cone of shame” for the same.Â
Apple Cider Vinegar/ White Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar is greatly beneficial for your dog’s overall health. It takes care of the tear stains for them and prevents yeast or other bacterial infections from recurring. One just needs to add a tablespoon of distilled apple cider vinegar/white vinegar to their dog’s water bowl, which, when consumed, increases the PH levels in the dog.Â
Hydrogen Peroxide – Apply diluted hydrogen peroxide(1 part hydrogen peroxide to 10 parts water) using a cotton swab around the stained area while being careful that it doesn’t get into your dog’s eyes. Rinse the area gently with warm water in about 10 minutes.Â
Precautions To Take
One might or might not be able to get rid of the condition completely. However, you can bring some precautionary moves into the routine to avoid it from getting worse, reducing the issue over time.Â
- In the morning, whenever your dog’s eyes look too dry or wet, make sure you use a saline flush that is pet-friendly to clean them up.Â
- Using a wet cloth, routinely wipe the corners of your dog’s mouth, nose, and eyes, paying special attention to removing the eye gunks and clearing stains.Â
- Take better notice of your dog’s eating habits and make sure he is in his best condition, as poor health can further negatively influence the staining situation.Â
- In many cases, the color of the stains can easily indicate health problems your dog might be suffering from. For, e.g., dark brown stains indicate a yeast infection due to bacteria and constant moisture.Â
Know When To Take Your Dog To The Vet
The possibility of congenital disability and underlying medical condition, however thin, is not something that you should overlook, especially when your dog is in a constant state of irritation with excessive tear production despite regular attempts to eliminate it. Consult the vet as soon as possible in such a situation and proceed with further instructions.Â
CONCLUSION
Though a dog can do many things, telling you the health issues they are suffering from using words, sadly, is not one of them. The dog owner must take it upon themselves to notice such fine details and find a cure to maintain the perfect health of their furry friend. Regular vet visits and consultation sessions apart from a good hygiene routine are also a good way for the owners who are busy to keep the health of their pets in check.
