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Mari May Kennels. Michigan Maltipoos, Shihpoos, and Schnoodles.
Dog Tear Stain

Tear Staining is the unsightly brownish red discoloration that sometimes occurs under and around the eyes of dogs which is often caused by the reaction of excess tears and a dog's skin bacteria. Dogs of different breeds can have eye stain including Maltese, Poodles, Shih-tzu and more. Eye stain is more noticeable in dogs who have white or light colored faces.

Eye stain is usually the result of excessive tearing. But what causes the discoloration? Excess tearing causes the hair to stay wet which in turn provides a perfect environment and breeding ground for yeast and bacteria.

A common yeast infection is Ptyrosporin (Red Yeast) which causes the dark brownish/red stain. Tearing can also be caused from a low grade bacterial infection in the tear ducts. This too causes staining.

There is evidence that genetics may be a factor in tear staining. Veterinary eye specialists believe that the structure of the area around the eye, possibly due to genetic predisposition in some dogs, can be responsible for excessive tearing.

It is certainly important to consult with your veterinarian to determine whether an oral course of treatment with an antibiotic such as Tylan Soluble Powder might be considered. Your Vet may recommend having a culture done of the tearing. This provides important information that will indicate which antibiotics the bacteria will most likely respond to providing a quicker and more efficient way to precisely identify and treat the problem.

But there several other factors to consider.

Diet
The diet of your dog should be carefully analyzed. Are you feeding an inexpensive, low quality commercial dog food? Poor digestive tolerance to unnatural, unwholesome food additives or outright allergies to such can be a large contributor to eye stain. Also, many processed foods contain food dye and/or beet pulp which can not only cause staining on the muzzle but if your dog has a low tolerance to additives and dyes, it can manifest itself through tear staining as an allergy reaction. Feeding a whole food diet including organic dry dog food (small kibble or "little bites") is the best way to factor this out.

Water
What is your water like? Do you have well water with a high mineral content? Are you using treated city tap water that is likely fluoridated? Water with high mineral content can be a cause of staining on the muzzle and fluoridated water may be the source of an allergy sensitivity causing tear stain. Maltese should be feed purified bottled water to eliminate these possibilities. White cider vinegar also helps control tear stains. One teaspoon added to your dogs drinking water works somewhat like TUMS - it changes the pH of the water though it should be introduced slowly to help convince your dog to drink it.

Cutting Teeth
Maltese cut their adult teeth between 5 and 8 months of age. Pups who may have had no previous problems with tear staining could do so at that time. If so, it is very important to keep the facial hair as clean and dry as possible to discourage the growth of bacteria and yeast. If you do this, it is likely the problem will resolve itself when the adult teeth come in. Be sure to provide you pup with plenty of undyed chew toys to help him/her through teething.

Hair Irritation
Hair that droops or falls into the eyes is another source of eye stain. Such hair irritates the eye and that causes constant tearing and possibly even infection. Keep such hair well clear of the eyes to prevent this.

Blocked Tear Ducts
Blocked tear ducts can cause tear stains. This needs to be evaluated by your veterinarian and the tear ducts subsequently irrigated as necessary.

Environmental Sensitivities
Small dog breeds can have a particularly heightened sensitivity to environmental toxins. Part of the reason is their small size and thus diminished ability to physiologically process doses of toxins that might be better tolerated by a larger dog. Such things as:
  • Residual chemical cleaners on the floor or carpet. It is easy to overlook the fact that small dogs are in very close proximity to the floor!
  • Smoke from a wood stove or cigarettes.
  • Chemical air fresheners
  • Shampoo or conditioner used during bath time.

    These are but a few of the things to look for. Take a look around your home - are there other sources to consider?

    Holistic Tear Stain Reducer Natural Dog Care
    White cider vinegar can help to reduce tear stains. Adding 1 teaspoon of vinegar to your dog's water bowl will change the pH of the water and that change can reduce the appearance of tear stains. Introduce the vinegar to your dog's drinking water a few drops at first and increase the amount every few days. This way your dog has time to adjust to the taste change gradually.