How to Remove Tear Stains on Dogs – Best Dog Tear Stain Remover for 2020
If you’re a dog owner, it’s likely that at some point you’ve encountered those common “tear stains”–no matter what type of breed you have. Tear stains are red or brown stains that run down your dog’s face close to their eyes. Most dogs get these stains on occasion, however, some may have a chronic issue with it.
Many dog owners don’t consider tear stains to be a problem. They usually wipe at their dog’s eyes to clear away any debris or discharge with warm water and a cloth, or wet wipes. However, in some cases, there can be a true problem behind the stains, such as an eye infection or other types of disease. If your dog has a white coat, tear stains can also ruin the look of their fur.
When you notice your dog has developed tear stains, it’s important to take them to the vet and discuss things with a professional before you handle things on your own or buy a product on your own. Your vet will let you know if they believe there’s something serious behind the stains and will approve a dog tear stain remover. This way, you can rest assured you’re doing the right thing and are taking care of the stains in the right manner.
Top 5 Dog Tear Stain Removers
What Exactly Are Tear Stains, and What Causes Them?
Just like humans, dogs can experience irritation in their eyes. When this occurs, they begin to produce more tears than usual to deal with the foreign body that’s in their eye, whether this is dirt, debris, or some other type of irritant. This excessive production of tears is what leads to tear stains. When your dog produces too many tears, the tears will not drain properly and will only able to go down the animal’s face, leaving a stain behind. The discoloration to your pet’s fur occurs due to the buildup of Porphyrin, a pigment within tears and saliva.
There are many different factors that can lead to tear stains, including:
- Eye infection
- Ear infection
- A poor diet
- Allergies
- Large tear glands
- Small tear ducts
- An inverted eyelid
- Eye disease
- Stress
- Genetics
Depending on the breed of your dog, they may be more prone to tear stains than others. While any dog can get tear stains, certain breeds tend to suffer more often because of their genetics. These breeds include:
- Pug
- French Bulldog
- Maltese
- Cocker Spaniel
- Boston Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Tibetan Spaniel
- Pekingese
- Shih Tzu
Keep in mind as well that if your pet has a white coat, the tear stains they develop will be much more noticeable than on a darker coat.
Best Tear Stain Removers for Dogs
Now that you understand a little more about what tear stains are and how they’re caused, what are the best products available to help? These are the five best topical solutions currently on the market.
① Angels’ Eyes Gentle Tear Stain Wipes for Dogs
These wipes are highly recommended to not only reduce tear stains around your dog’s eyes, but also discharge, secretions, and mucus. This unique product doesn’t require any rinsing–simply wipe around your pet’s eye area, and you’re done, quickly and easily. It contains juniper berry oil to aid in removing, and its ingredients are all natural, including Aloe extract, purified water, and safflower seed oil. No matter what breed of dog you have, these wipes are safe to use as long as your pet is older than 12 weeks.
Use daily to help keep your pet’s eyes clean and reduce any itching or irritation. Refrain from applying directly to the eyes, and the wipes are for topical use only.
Pros
- All natural ingredients and free of antibiotics
- No need to rinse; task is easy and quick
- Regular use can reduce irritation and itching
Cons
- Some users did not notice an effect or change at all
- Wipes may smell off-putting
② Burt’s Bees Dog Tear Stain Remover
This stain remover is all natural and formulated by a company that’s well known to be eco-friendly and to include some of the best ingredients you can find in nature. With this product, you can keep a peace of mind as you help your dog feel happy and healthy. It features chamomile to remove particles that cause stains from your dog’s fur and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals whatsoever. The solution is also PH balanced, and is free of colorants or sulfates.
To use, saturate a cotton ball with the solution and wipe carefully around your dog’s eye, focusing on the tear stains. Use once per day for up to a month to see results. Keep out of reach of both pets and children.
Pros
- Its ingredients are 99.9% natural
- No harmful chemicals, colorants, or sulfates
- PH balanced and made cruelty free
Cons
- Some users did not see any improvement to tear stains
- Clears up debris from eye area but may not impact the tear stain itself
③ Eye Envy NR Liquid Tear Stain Remover for Dogs
This remover helps to eliminate stains in an effective and safe manner, and it’s especially beneficial for breeds who tend to constantly have rust-colored stains, such as Poodles, Havanese, Shih Tzu, and Maltese. It’s a natural solution that’s completely free of ingredients that could cause harm, such as antibiotics, steroids, peroxide, or bleach. In fact, the solution is comprised of just four ingredients: Colloidal Silver, Boric Acid, Witch Hazel, and water. The bottle is very easy to store and you can use the formula on stains around your dog’s mouth and on their paws as well.
For best results, use alongside Eye Envy Application Powder once a day.
Pros
- Safe for use on puppies
- Free of bleach, preservatives, and harmful ingredients; solution is all natural
- Reduces smell of discharge and tear stains as well
Cons
- More effective on certain breeds
- Difficult to administer
④ Eye Envy NR Tear Stain Remover Kit
This remover kit treats your dog’s tear stains with an all-in-one solution that works efficiently. This starter kit comes with the Eye Envy solution, application powder, and application pads. Each of the ingredients are all natural, and the kit is completely free of preservatives, steroids, and bleach. This cleanser is gentle and effective, and involves a unique two-step process where you clean the stained area first with the solution, then apply the powder. Together, this clears up the stains while also repelling future tears and preventing any growth of bacteria.
Pros
- Safe for puppies
- Unique two-step system cleans and helps prevent future stains
- Free of preservatives or harmful chemicals
Cons
Cons
- Once the solution is opened and poured, it must be refrigerated for storage
- Difficult to rub in the powder as directed
⑤ NaturVet Tear Stain Remover Dog & Cat Liquid Topical Formula
This tear stain remover is a water-based and gentle solution for removing dark stains from your dog’s fur. It’s a wiping solution, which makes it quick and easy, and you can use it regularly. It also tackles saliva stains. The formula is non-irritating and safe, and with ingredients like Aloe and cucumbers, it’s very soothing for your pet and also gives off a fresh scent. It is completely veterinarian formulated and used by professionals.
Keep out of reach of your pets and children, and use it externally only. Do not apply directly to the eyes. To use, moisten a cotton ball with the remover solution and gently wipe over the area of fur that is stained. After applying, rinse area briefly with water.
Pros
- Very gentle and non-irritating
- Helps your pet smell fresh
- Formulated by veterinarians and used by professionals themselves
Cons
- Recommended only for use on dogs who are older than 12 weeks old
- Many users did not see any noticeable results or improvement
Conclusion & What is the Best Dog Tear Stain Remover
Many dogs develop tear stains, and if you’ve ever been an owner, chances are you’ve experienced these stains firsthand. Lots of dog owners simply clean their dog’s face, but it’s important to speak with your vet if you notice these stains, as they could be indicative of an underlying disease or serious eye infection. There could be several possibilities behind it, and you want to make sure you’re taking care of your pet as best as possible.
Your vet will likely recommend a dog tear stain remover and other possible changes to your pet’s diet or medication. If the stains are caused by stress or allergies, they will help you develop a plan to keep your pet away from stressors and environments that lead to a flare-up in your dog’s allergies or stress levels. If your dog has white fur, maintaining these stains around your pet’s eyes will also result in a better-looking coat and overall wellness.
As you’re shopping tear stain removers, look for a product that’s gentle and non-irritating for dogs, and if a natural formula is important to you, keep an eye out for ingredient lists that are completely natural. You’ll be able to find a remover that’s right for you, and your dog will be stain-free in no time.
