Tear Staining

The Cause:

Tear-staining is a common problem with Dogs. Most tearing problems are due to the famous â€œFour Hâ€™sâ€ spoken of by Margarie Martin: heredity, health, hygiene and happiness. A seriously stained face does not indicate a poor-quality, nor poorly bred dog. It is not proof that the dog is neglected, mistreated or unhealthy. It just means the dog has more tears and less drainage than he needs for some reason that is probably somehow related to any one or any combination of very minor â€œheredity, health, hygiene, and happinessâ€ concerns.


Health: Simple health concerns are often the major cause of tear-staining. Some of these are natural and unavoidable such as when puppies cut their first teeth, and again when they cut their permanent teeth. To make matters worse, at the same time, puppy hair is growing, just long enough to stick into their eyes and cause excessive tearing. Dogs of any age with teeth or gum problems are likely to have extra tear staining. Ear mites and ear infections, or any health problem – especially those in the head, neck, and chest areas – may also contribute to tear-staining. Allergies to certain dyes or ingredients in food could cause excessive tearing.

Hygiene: Hygiene is an obvious factor in tear-staining. Matter in the eye tends to collect at the inner corner. This works wonderfully to keep eyes clean of foreign particles. If the dogâ€™s eyes are exposed to dust, wind, grooming products, stray or ingrown hairs and other irritants, there will be more matter at the corners. This matter becomes an irritant and causes more tearing and therefore more staining.

Happiness: Happiness may directly or indirectly affect tearing. It seems very apparent that any miserable, uncomfortable, stressed-out dog is prone to all kinds of problems, including and leading to excess tearing, less eye drainage and more staining. When a Dog is upset or unhappy more tearing occurs which will rapidly stain the face.

Other: Other causes of tear and other staining in Dogs could be their diet. Foods with dyes or water with high mineral content can cause staining. Also the dog could be getting his face or feet in his food which could cause staining.

Coping with Tear Staining



