More About Tear Stains

What are tear stains?

Ever wonder why dogs have those rusty tears under their eyes? As someone with a white dog with tear stains, I assure you, I understand the curiosity surrounding the enigma. While there are many components of tear stains, ultimately, the condition is the result of a compound found naturally in the body that is excreted through tears & saliva. This means these reddish stains can also be found around the mouth, paws, groin or any other particular spot the dogs saliva regularly comes into contact with.

Health concerns around tear stains

While tear staining is fairly common and often harmless, the condition is not always benign. These copper stains can hint at several serious issues such as infection, inflammation, trauma, or physical abnormalities of the eye. If your dog has tear staining, consult with your veterinarian to rule out any health concerns.

What can be done to help my dogs tear stains?

Narrowing down the direct cause of your dogs tear staining can be difficult and while the condition most often cannot be eliminated completely, keeping the area clean and dry can help prevent the accumulation of staining and bacteria. Once daily, use a warm, damp rag, and gently wipe any debris near the eye.