How can I prevent and get rid of dog tear stains?

Unsightly Dog Tear Stains - how to prevent and get rid of them

Some dogs have reddish-brown "tear" stains running from their eyes down their muzzles. These stains may occur in any dog, but it’s usually most visible in white or light-colored dogs. These stains are also called “poodle stain” because many a white poodle has this unattractive discoloration. Most dog owners, for that matter, don’t think the tear stains are cosmetically attractive. Here are a few tips to prevent and get rid of these pesky tear stains:

  • Take your dog to the vet to make sure there’s no underlying condition or problem that needs to be treated. A variety of reasons may be the cause for this condition. For example, your dog's eyes may be irritated, the tears may not be draining correctly, there may be a dog eye infection, glaucoma, or eyelash or eyelid problems. A vet can diagnose the cause and offer medical solutions.
  • Provide daily hygiene to the area. Whether your dog has an underlying condition or is healthy, this is the #1 method for treating dog tear stains. Regular cleaning around the eye helps prevent the build-up of moisture in the eye area.
  • A gentle but effective solution that not only tackles the build-up of mucous but also removes the stains is Banixx Pet Care. Simply apply Banixx liberally to sterile gauze and wipe the tear-stained areas gently. Have plenty of gauze on hand so that you are not reusing the gauze. Banixx can be used every day if needed, as it is safe to use around the eyes. Banixx is also well tolerated by your dog since it has no sting or no clinical odor.
  • Keep the hair in the dog's facial and muzzle area relatively short. This helps avert moisture build-up conditions that lead to stains. To trim the hair, use only use blunt-tipped scissors and wipe away the cut hair with a damp washcloth or have your professional groomer handle this for you.
  • Give your dog filtered or bottled water. It has been suggested, with some verification, that tap water may contain minerals that are processed in your dog’s system and lead to the presence of tear stains.
  • Change your dog’s diet to one that contains fewer fillers, grains, and preservatives. Read the dog food label carefully. Animal by-products such as chicken by-products can contain chicken feet, intestines, necks, and heads. These grains, fillers, or by-products can cause allergic reactions that result in excessive tearing, so try to find one without these ingredients. You may need to try several different variations of dog food until you find one that suits. Buy Banixx or buy online.
 treating and preventing dog tear stains
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What types of dogs are most commonly affected by tear stains (poodle stains)?

It is estimated that as many as 1 in 5 small dog breeds have problems with their tear ducts. Breeds, like Maltese terrier, Shih Tzu or Pug, where a short nose is the hallmark, can be very cute but may lead to shallow eye sockets which force the eyelid to stretch over the eye to achieve protection.

Unfortunately, stretching blocks moisture from draining into tear ducts, or lacrimal glands. Hence, with no drainage into the tear duct, the drainage ends up on your dog’s face resulting in tear stains. A stretched eyelid can also lead to tear stains even if the noses are not particularly short. It can also occur if the dog’s eyes are bulging or “bug-eyed” such as Pekinese.

In some cases, there are dog breeds that seem to be predisposed to having blocked tear ducts. Poodle and cocker spaniels have a higher likelihood of blocked tear ducts. This may be because both tend to have a lot of facial hair which overgrows into the tear duct.

Tear stairs not only affect certain dog pedigrees but can be a problem that affects any breed of dog due to blocked tear drainage holes. Blockage of eye fluid ends up on the face instead of being carried away, as nature intended, via the tear ducts.  Buy Banixx or buy online.