The best approach for tear stains involves gentle, regular cleaning with pet-safe products (wipes, mild cleansers, diluted peroxide), maintaining a clean environment, and sometimes adjusting diet or supplements, but always consult your vet to rule out underlying issues like infections or blocked ducts, as effective solutions range from over-the-counter remedies to lifestyle changes.
Use a Gentle Eye Wipe
One of the easiest and most effective ways to address tear stains is by using gentle eye wipes designed for dogs. These wipes help clean around your dog's eyes and remove moisture, dirt, and bacteria that can cause staining.
I use Bright Eyes Tear Stain Wipes for my patients, and we have great success with that product. Hopefully, your main takeaway has been that proper grooming and maintenance of your dog's face (keeping hair out of the eyes) is the primary treatment for tear stains.
What is clear, however, is that giving dogs certain antibiotics eliminates excessive porphyrin production in some dogs, so yeast infection is not the only possible cause of tear stains. Tylosin, the antibiotic in Angels' Eyes, is often effective in these bacterial cases.
Mix a couple tablespoons of baking Soda with a couple of tablespoons of 3% peroxide and a couple drops of dish soap . Mix ingredients and apply this paste to the stain and then wash it out with water in a hour or so. Chris Christiansen White on White has worked well for me.
Whether you're a professional groomer or a dedicated pet parent, investing in targeted whitening solutions like Show Tech No More Tears, Groom Professional Bright White, Chris Christensen White on White, and DezynaDog Light & Bright will keep your dog looking radiant, healthy, and ready for the spotlight.
Regular grooming: Tear stains are caused by tears and debris. So, keeping your dog's eye-area clean and dry can help prevent stains from forming in the first place. Consider using Earth Rated's eye wipes to gently clean around your dog's face to keep those pesky stains under control.
Omega-3 fatty acids from krill oil, fish oil, or flaxseed help reduce inflammation, promote a healthy coat, and support eye function. Adding omega-3s to your dog's diet can help minimize tear staining by keeping the skin and tear ducts in good condition.
Some people have success using a small toothbrush to streak a little petroleum jelly or white petrolatum on the affected area of hair in order to waterproof it and avoid the staining.
Bulldog, Boxer, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Pugs, Bull Mastiff, Boston Terrier, Shih Tzu, Maltese. Dog breeds with flat faces (or short distances between their eyes and nose) are particularly prone to tear staining because of the way their eyes have developed over time.
Hydrogen Peroxide & Water Mixture
One of our favorite homemade dog tear stain removers consists of one part hydrogen peroxide with ten parts water. Stir the solution and apply it under your dog's eyes using a cotton ball. Once dry, wash and rinse it with warm water.
Tears, as well as saliva, feces, and urine, contain this porphyrin which has a reddish-brown pigment. Some dogs may have more porphyrin than others, resulting in mild to significant staining of the fur at the corners of the eyes. These stains can seem even darker when yeast infections result from the constant moisture.
dogs tear stains can take consecutive days and even weeks.
The best tear stain remover for dogs should be convenient and effective, which is why our vets chose the Optixcare eye cleaning wipes for best in show. Whether you're at the dog park, on the couch, or packed for a road trip, these wipes can quickly soften eye goo and keep tear stains at bay.
Blueberries: Packed with antioxidants, they help reduce inflammation, supporting eye health and potentially lowering tear production. Parsley: Known for its diuretic properties, parsley helps the body flush out excess fluids, which can prevent tear staining caused by fluid buildup.
While it's possible that your dog could have a blocked nasolacrimal duct or a condition that's causing excessive tear production, most dogs with tear stains don't have an underlying eye problem. That said, contact your veterinarian if your pet did not previously have tear stains and is now developing them.
Regularly use eye wipes around your dog's eyes
Good pet care involves cleaning the stains from around your dog's eyes regularly. You can use pre-moistened wipes on a daily basis to get rid of the dust, dirt and gunk that contribute to the brown stains around their eyes.
Using coconut oil for dog tear stains is as simple as gently massaging some of the oil into the fur and skin around your dog's eyes. You can use your hands or a cotton cloth … just avoid cotton balls because they can stick to the fur.
While Vaseline can work as a short-term solution, there are gentler, more effective options designed for dogs: Coconut oil – a natural moisturiser with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe vera gel – soothing for minor irritations (make sure it's pure and additive-free).
Feeding your dog a diet high in fillers, preservatives, artificial flavors, additives, and ingredients that may trigger allergies may cause food- related tear stains in dogs. Remember, a bad diet contributes to the buildup of porphyrins (the chemical responsible for the stains).
Make a paste of baking soda and water, and brush it into the stain. Let dry and then wipe off with a damp cloth. If any stain still remains, repeat.
About the yogurt - I was told by the breeder / groomer that a teaspoon of plain GREEK yogurt every day will get rid of the staining. I tried Angel Eyes and it worked, but it's expensive and is an antibiotic (yech!), and topical treatments, but the Greek yogurt worked the best - fast and like a charm.
End-of-life signs in dogs include behavioral changes (lethargy, withdrawal, clinginess, confusion), decreased appetite and thirst, mobility issues (weakness, poor coordination, trouble walking), incontinence, and labored breathing, indicating their body systems are shutting down, though signs vary and a vet can help assess comfort levels.
Create a mix of one teaspoon each hydrogen peroxide and water with enough corn starch to create a thick paste. Apply the paste to the hair under your pup's eyes and allow it to dry. Keep it in the stained areas, do not get it in his eyes.
Pigmentary keratitis, also called corneal melanosis, is a condition in which light brown to black pigmentation covers part or all of a dog's cornea, the clear covering at the front of the eye.