Tear Stains

Your beautiful sweet little puppy looks so adorable, but as they continue to grow, some dogs may develop tear stains, especially if your puppy is of lighter color. Tear stains can accumulate as excess moisture (referred to as epiphora) develops from tears causing bacteria and yeast to grow. This condition is most prevalent in certain breeds including Shitzu, Lhasa Apso and Maltese. The causes of excessive tearing include, but not limited to genetics, health, diet, bacterial infection, ear infections, teething, irritation, high mineral content in the dog’s drinking water, blocked tear ducts, poor diet, plastic bowls, etc.

Why Do Some Pets Have or Show More Tear Staining? Tear stains are typically the result of porphyrins. Porphyrins are naturally occurring molecules containing iron – waste products from the breakdown of red blood cells -- and are mostly removed from the body through bile and the intestinal tract, however, in some dogs porphyrin is excreted through tears, saliva, and urine.

When tears and saliva containing porphyrins sit on light-colored fur for any period of time, staining will occur. And if it seems your pet’s tear stains are worse after he’s been outside, you’re not imagining things. The iron-containing stains do indeed darken when exposed to sunlight.
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How to Treat Tear Stains Safely
You can do a lot to control your pet’s tear staining by keeping his face meticulously clean and free of porphyrin-containing moisture. This means gently wiping his face at least twice a day with a soft, warm, damp cloth, keeping his face hair trimmed, and if necessary, making regular appointments with a groomer.

Other suggestions:

• Coconut Oil is great for tear stains. Rub a small amount of coconut oil on the tear stain area for few minutes each day massaging gently.
• BioTrue or ReNu contact lens cleaning agent has boric acid in it which is helpful for stains. The solution helps break down the porphyrins. Pour a little on a wash cloth and gently rub the affective area few times a day.
• Feed a high-quality (preferably grain-free) balanced diet. The less unnecessary, indigestible stuff your pet’s body has to deal with, the less stress on her organs of detoxification.
• Provide your pet with fresh, filtered or distilled drinking water instead of tap water, which is often high in mineral content or iron and other impurities, including chlorine and fluoride, which are toxic to pets.
• Replace plastic & stainless steel food and water bowls with porcelain or glass. Worn plastic containers can harbor bacteria that may irritate your pet’s face.
• Milk thistle, dandelion, olive leaf, chlorophyll, colostrum, and probiotics also help to decrease the amount of staining.
• Clean your pet’s face with colloidal silver, which is completely safe around the eyes. You can buy it at any health food store. Colloidal silver has antimicrobial properties and will help reduce opportunistic yeast infections and moist dermatitis that can occur in the corners of your pet’s eyes.