How to Clean a Dog's Tear Stains
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Introduction
There is nothing quite as beautiful as a pup with glorious white hair that is kept well-groomed. The only problem is when your pup has those nasty tear stains under his eyes. There are several reasons why these stains appear. It could be a health issue, nutritional issues, centuries of overbreeding, or his eyes being irritated by overgrown hair. Thankfully, there are several ways to remove these stains. It is important that you keep these stains cleaned up as if the hair stays moist, it can lead to a yeast infection that makes it worse
Dog's Perspective
In reality, your pup probably couldn't care less what color the hair under his eyes is. But what he does care about is if this staining leads to any type of infection or damage to his vision. In most cases, tear stains can be easily removed, and their cause prevented.
The White Vinegar Method
The Hydrogen Peroxide Method
Caution & Considerations
- Never allow either of these mixtures to get into your pup's eyes or on the sensitive skin around them, it could burn and cause permanent damage.
- Always keep the hair around your pup's eyes trimmed back so that it doesn't irritate his eyes and cause more tearing and staining.
- If you must cut some of the hair back, use sharp shears with rounded safety tips.
- Be aware of the foods your dog eats. Some contain dyes and other products that will only make the problem worse.
- If your tap water is high in mineral content, giving your pup bottled water can also help reduce staining.
- If the problem persists or gets worse, be sure to take your pup to see his vet to see if there are any underlying medical conditions causing the staining.
Conclusion
For the most part, tear staining is just unsightly, but there is the risk of infection setting in if you don't keep the hair under your pup's eyes clean. It only takes a few minutes with readily available household products. You owe it to your four-legged friend to take care of this simple task on a regular basis.
Success Stories and Grooming Questions
Grooming Questions & Answers
Ralphie
When taken to be groomed he barks snarls till tongue turns purple. Therefore no groomer can finish grooming him. My daughter rescued him from California humane society. What can she do she has had him for a year
0 Dog owners recommended
Thank you for the question about Ralphie. Have you discussed this with the vet? I would; there may be a reason for the aggression (such as arthritis). A check-up may reveal a problem. The vet can also recommend a groomer skilled in working with fearful and aggressive dogs. It may take several short visits to get Ralphie used to someone. Perhaps he had a bad experience years ago. He may be afraid of the clippers and scissors are needed instead. Good luck and I hope the vet visit goes well.
