Tear Stains and Keeping Your Dog's Face Clean

Those reddish-brown streaks running down from the corners of a dog's eyes are one of the things owners ask me about most, especially owners of white and light-colored dogs. Maltese, Bichons, Shih Tzus, Poodles, and plenty of doodles all tend to show them. Stains can make a sweet face look sad or a bit grubby, and it's natural to want to fix them.

In most dogs tear stains are cosmetic. The part worth paying attention to is why the eyes are watering in the first place, because sometimes that's telling you something.

What tear stains are

Tears contain natural pigments called porphyrins, which turn reddish-brown when they sit on the hair and are exposed to light. On a dark coat you'd hardly notice. On a white coat, a steady trickle of tears leaves a clear line. Hair that stays damp under the eyes can also pick up yeast, which tends to look more rusty brown and can smell a little musty.

So stains are really a sign of tears overflowing onto the face instead of draining away normally.

Common causes

Face shape. Dogs with short noses and shallow eye sockets, like Shih Tzus, Pugs, Pekingese, and some small breeds, often have eyes that sit prominently and tears that spill over easily. Some also have eyelids or folds that don't let tears drain well. For many of these dogs a certain amount of staining is simply part of how they're built.

Hair in the eyes. Hair growing near the inner corner of the eye, or long facial hair flopping into the eyes, can irritate them and wick tears onto the face. This is one of the most common causes I see, and one of the easiest to help.

Allergies. Environmental or food allergies can make eyes watery and itchy. You might also notice paw licking, ear trouble, or face rubbing alongside it.

Blocked or narrow tear ducts. Tears normally drain through small ducts at the inner corner of each eye into the nose. If a duct is narrow or blocked, tears have nowhere to go but down the face. Your vet can check this.

Eyelid and eyelash problems. Eyelids that roll inward or lashes that grow toward the eye can rub the surface and cause constant watering. These need a vet.

Irritation. Dust, smoke, shampoo, wind, or a small injury can all cause watering, usually for a short time.

Gentle daily wiping

A quick wipe once or twice a day does more than anything else to keep stains from building up.

• Use a soft, clean cloth or cotton pad dampened with plain lukewarm water, or an eye wipe made for dogs that your vet is happy with.
• Wipe gently downward and away from the eye. Never rub the eye itself.
• Use a fresh pad or a clean part of the cloth for each eye, so you don't carry anything from one eye to the other.
• Dry the area afterward with a soft tissue or cloth. Keeping the hair dry matters as much as keeping it clean.
• A small, soft comb or a fine toothbrush can gently lift any crusty bits once they've softened with water.

Pair it with a treat and it becomes part of the daily routine, like brushing teeth.

Please don't use hydrogen peroxide, bleach, makeup remover, or whitening products anywhere near a dog's eyes. And check with your vet before giving any supplement or powder sold for tear stains, since some contain ingredients that shouldn't be given without a vet's advice.

Stains that have already set into the hair won't wipe away. They grow out over time, and regular trims remove the stained ends.

Face trims

For fluffy-faced breeds, keeping the face trimmed is a big part of keeping it clean. A groomer can:

• Carefully trim the hair at the inner corners of the eyes so it doesn't poke into them
• Shorten the hair on the bridge of the nose and around the eyes
• Tidy the stained hair so the face looks clean and fresh
• Tie a topknot up and out of the eyes for dogs with longer head hair

Many owners like a quick face trim between full grooms, since the hair around the eyes grows back well before the rest of the coat needs attention.

Trimming close to the eyes takes a steady hand and a dog who holds still, and a sudden head turn is all it takes for an accident. I'd rather you didn't use scissors near your dog's eyes at home. If hair is poking into the eyes between appointments, a groomer can do a quick tidy.

When to see your vet

Some tearing is normal, especially for flat-faced breeds. But call your vet if you notice:

• A sudden increase in tearing, or staining that appears out of nowhere
• Watering in one eye only
• Squinting, blinking a lot, or keeping an eye closed
• Redness, swelling, or cloudiness in the eye
• Yellow, green, or thick discharge rather than clear tears
• Pawing at the face or rubbing the eyes on the floor
• A bad smell or sore, red skin under the eyes

Eye problems can get worse quickly, so it's always better to get them checked sooner rather than later.

A clean face day to day

Tear stains don't mean a dog is neglected. A soft cloth, a daily wipe, and keeping hair out of the eyes will go a long way, and your vet can help sort out anything underneath.