Top Tips to Reduce Tear Staining
Does your pup experience the dreadful tear staining around the eyes? This is a fairly common problem with a variety of causes. Basically, when the area around the eye becomes moist and stays that wet, bacterium begins to grow. The bacterium then stains the area around the eye, turning the hair an unsightly brown or reddish color. You might be wondering why this happens and what, if anything, you can do about it. Well, there are a variety of reasons why your pooch could be experiencing moist eye troubles but do not fret, we have some solutions that should help.
What causes tear staining?
- genetics
- high mineral content in their drinking water
- blocked tear ducts
- out of control eye lash or hair around the eye that agitates the eyes
- poor diet
These are only a few of the possible causes so speak with your vet to ascertain the specific reason your dog is experiencing this condition.
In the meantime, here are some tips to try to reduce the tear stains.
- Give your dog distilled water.
- Consider your pet’s diet. What food are you feeding him? Is the food processed using distilled water? Is the food of high quality?
- Perhaps your dog is allergic?
- Add a teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar to the dog’s drinking water. This is believed to ph-balance the water.
- Wipe the around the eye area gently with a warm cloth. Do this daily. It will help prevent matting from the dried tear stays in your dog’s fur.
- Try out some of the store brands of eye cleaners if you don’t have success with the at home remedies . They range from liquid to pads. One popular product on shelves is called “Angel Eyes.” –
- Keep the area around the eye clean and groomed well. Sometimes long hair irritates or causes your dog’s eyes to itch – hence, the moist eye.
- Try this home- made mixture. Mix peroxide to milk of magnesia in equal parts. Add a touch of cornstarch to create a paste. Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit for a few hours then, gently rinse it off. Take care not to further agitate your dog’s eyes.
Always err on the side of caution and consult your vet when trying any new treatments on your dog. It’s important to find out the cause of the tear stains as it could indicate an underlying medical issue.
