What ingredient in dog food causes tear stains

How to Prevent & Clean Tear Stains on Your Dogs Face

With white-coated breeds such as Bichons Frises, many at some point in their life will develop those very distracting, red-brownish tear stains underneath their eyes, around their muzzles, and in between their toes.

The cause can be related to health issues, shape of the eye, blocked tear-ducts, puppy teething, ear infection, allergies (either food or environmental), and so on. Therefore if your normally white-faced dog develops aggressive staining seemingly out of the blue, first consult your veterinarian, and possibly a veterinary ophthalmologist, to rule out any underlying health concern.

After confirming that your dog is indeed healthy, the following tips and suggestions from my own experience and feedback from other breeders will hopefully restore and maintain that beautiful, white furry face.

1. Examine the quality of your food

It is generally agreed among Bichon Frise breeders that although there are numerous and passionate opinions about brands (and further passion about kibble versus raw), a high-quality, grain-free diet works best for our breed. The corn, wheat, and meals that are used as fillers in inferior-quality foods just dont ensure long-term good health and can cause allergic reactions, resulting in excess tearing and other problems.

2. Examine the quality of your water

After traveling a couple of times with my own dogs without their normal water and pouring for them from my own bottled water, Ive noticed that they will develop staining pretty quickly in response to excess minerals. Use purified, distilled, or reverse-osmosis water sources.

3. Daily eye- and mouth-hair hygiene

A quick daily face grooming will go a long way in keeping those stains at bay. Some tips:

Flush eyes with an appropriate canine eye-wash, such as saline eye-wash solutions or Terra Septic eye drops.

Use an eye wash wipe and rub underneath and around the eye area. Opti-Clear and Bio True are two pre-made options; a do-it-yourself option is to mix one tablespoon boric acid powder boiled in one cup of distilled water. (Be sure to keep refrigerated, and remake a fresh batch weekly.)

Wash the muzzle hair with dry shampoo or waterless shampoo and a wet washcloth. You may also try 3% hydrogen peroxide on a paper towel. Comb and blow-dry afterward.

Keep the hair around the eyes trimmed to avoid it irritating the eye and causing tearing.

4. Keep those moist or rusty areas dry

Try using glass water bottles (such as made for birds) instead of water bowls, or use paper towels to absorb the excess water around your dogs mouth after he drinks from a bowl. Cornstarch can also be dusted underneath the eye, around the muzzle, and in between toes.

5. Food additives can help

Two things that have worked for me are adding one teaspoon of either organic apple-cider vinegar or buttermilk powder to meals. I-Stain, a probiotic enzyme, is another product with reportedly good results.

Mild antibiotics can be used for short periods of time, naturally, after consulting with your vet. Those commonly prescribed include Lincocin, Tylosin, and/or neomycin-polymyxin or chloramphenicol eye drops. Vetericyn ophthalmic gel is available over the counter and may be enough without a vet trip.

Stain removal is another chapter to itself. A little mild hydrogen peroxide dried into the muzzle (be sure to avoid the eyes) or Visine (applied to the fur, not the eyes) can lighten the color enough to live with it until it grows out.

Unfortunately, there isnt just one foolproof preventative, and each dog responds a little differently, so it often takes a little experimenting and patiencebut it is worth the effort to have that precious little white face smiling at you again!

Best Dog Food For Tear Stains: According to Vets (Reviews & Picks)

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This content was reviewed and fact-checked by veterinarian Dr. Sandra Tashkovska, DVM.

This is the most comprehensive guide to finding the best dog food for tear stains. If your dog has tear stains and you have tried everything to treat them with no luck, their diet may be the culprit. Did you know fillers and preservatives in kibble cause chemical waste buildup in dog eyes, ultimately leading to excessive tearing and tear stains? This is just one of many dietary and underlying health reasons these pesky marks appear.

In this review, our research team recommends ten of the best dog foods to prevent tear stains, each thoroughly reviewed. We have you covered if you seek a breed-specific solution, like the best food for Maltese to prevent tear stains. Weve listed the best dog foods to get rid of tear stains, catering to different dog needs.

Weve also included a buyers guide covering dog nutritions importance and impact on tear stains, foods that cause tear stains, diet prevention tips, risks and everything in between. Read it before you select one of the best dog foods that wont cause tear stains. Lets dive right in!

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What Are Dog Tear Stains?

Tear stains aredark brown or reddish marks that can appear beneath a dogs eyes, around their muzzles, between their toes, or in other places on the body. However, it most commonly manifests under the eyes. Sometimes, a discharge may accompany this condition. Tear stains can affect any dog, but they are typically more visible on dogs with white or lightly-colored fur, like the Maltese. It may not be noticeable in dogs with darker fur colors.

What Causes Tear Stain In Dogs?

Tear stains are caused by a pigmented molecule that a dogs body excretes as waste. This waste product, known as porphyrins, results from the breakdown of red blood cells.^[1]

Porphyrins, which contain iron, are responsible for the reddish-brown color of tear stains. The iron in porphyrins carries oxygenated blood, explaining the reddish color of the tear stains.

Porphyrin is usually excreted through the digestive system, but it may also be expelled via urine, saliva, and tears when there is a buildup of porphyrin in the dogs system. Internal or external factors can cause a buildup of porphyrins and drive the over-stimulation of excessive tear production, also known as Epiphora.^[2]

Tear stains develop when dogs tears accumulate under the eyes, creating the perfect environment for bacteria or yeast to grow. Additionally, the overproduction of tears can cause the chemical waste (porphyrins) in their tears to soak into their fur, leading to tear stains. Constant watery discharge and moisture in the eyes or other body parts can contribute to this condition.

According to Mercola Healthy Pets, the most common medical causes of tear staining in dogs include but are not limited to:

• Ingrown eyelashes
• Infection of the eye
• Unusually large tear glands
• Unusually small tear duct openings
• Inverted eyelid
• Brachycephalic syndrome
• Ear infection
• Medications
• Secondhand smoke
• Poor-quality diet
• Plastic food bowls
• Stress
• Teething

Beware, tear stains will intensify/darken in the presence ofsunlight.

Dogs can also experience tear stains due to food sensitivities, genetic predispositions and exposure to irritants like dust. If you notice tear staining in your dog, take him to a veterinary ophthalmologist to rule out any health concerns. Tear stains in dogs are usually harmless but may indicate a serious underlying health problem. Eye infections, such as glaucoma, conjunctivitis, ingrown eyelashes, and entropion, can all lead to tear staining.

Top Dog Breeds Prone to Tear Stains

Tear stains are more common in certain dog breeds, typically small ones with long facial hair and white dogs.

Breeds prone to congenital tear duct abnormalities are also at higher risk of tear stains. Brachycephalic (short-nosed and flat-faced) dogs can also be prone to tear stains. Brachycephalic dogs dont have a normal tear drainage function due to their cranial structure. The shape of the head and the way the eyes fit into the socket will affect whether a dog is prone to tear stains, says Dr. Jerry Klein, Illinois resident and AKC Chief Veterinary Officer.^[3]

Common breeds that are more prone to tear stains include:

• Poodles
• Maltese
• West Highland White Terriers
• Shih Tzu
• Lhasa Apsos
• Bichons Frises
• Pug
• Pekingese
• Cocker spaniel
• Boxer
• Bull Terriers
• Beagles
• French Bulldogs
• Schnauzer
• Cairn Terrier

Dog Food & The Connection With Tear Stains

Porphyrins are substances that can cause tear stains in dogs. Theyre waste products from the breakdown of red blood cells and are usually excreted from the body through the liver (bile, intestinal tract and poop). However, a poor diet or fasting can lead to a buildup of porphyrins, as the Mayo Clinic notes.^[4]

When your dog eats a bad diet, especially with too much of certain nutrients like iron, it can overwork the liver, trying to get rid of these toxins. This overworking can lead to porphyrin buildup. In dogs, when porphyrin is produced in excess amounts, it gets removed through tears, saliva, and urine, which can cause noticeable tear stains.

What Is The Best Dog Food to Prevent Tear Stains?

The best dog food to prevent stains consists of a balanced, species-appropriate diet along with fresh, filtered drinking water. This approach prevents your dog from consuming excess iron (porphyrins) or impurities that could contribute to tear staining. Many dog food brands only meet the minimum nutrient requirements set by the AAFCO, but its beneficial to choose a dog food that surpasses these standards.

The best dog food to prevent tear stains should enhance your dogs overall health, digestion, and ability to filter out toxins. You want your dog to eat as cleanly and healthily as possible to avoid overburdening the liver. Creating a toxin-free environment in your dogs digestive system may eliminate or reduce tear stains. According to the American Kennel Club, a high-quality, grain-free diet is the best preventative against these persistent stains in dogs. Its also wise to avoid tap water, which is high in mineral content, including iron and other impurities like chlorine and fluoride, which are toxic to dogs. Consider using a dog water dispenser with a filter to remove chlorine, sediments, and odor from your pets drinking water as an additional measure to remove tear-stain.

Since tear stains are often linked to excess toxins from hard-to-digest diets and highly processed kibble, feeding your dog a fresh diet can help. This diet minimizes the indigestible ingredients your dog needs to detoxify, potentially reducing tear stains.

Be mindful when feeding animal proteins to your dog. Chicken, beef, or any meat are among the most common allergens in dogs. Food allergies can causeeye discharge in dogs, increasing the risk of those pesky dark marks.mV-Dog, a vegan dog food company, reports that dogs have become tear-stain-free on avegandiet.^[5]Similarly, customers say Wild Earth (our top vegan dog food formula) has helped dogs with brown stains under their eyes.

Here are two testimonials on how a vegan diet helped dogs with tear stains.

The ReviewsJump to: The Research | AdditionalInfo

Best Dog Food For Tear Stains

Now that you understand the relationship between dog food and tear stains, lets discuss the best dog foods to prevent tear staining in dogs. We based our rankings on several factors, including quality of ingredients, customer reviews, pricing, and more.

Here is a list of dog food that wont cause tear stains.

Best Overall Dog Food For Tear Stains

The Farmers Dog

Who Its For: For those seeking the most optimal nutrition that avoids preservatives and other chemicals that could trigger tear stains.

Flavors: Turkey, beef, pork & chicken

Ingredients: Human-grade, USDA sourced

Why we picked and recommended it: Cooking homemade food for your dog offers the highest quality and natural ingredients. A home-cooked meal is one of the best options to fight tear stains because it skips cheap fillers, additives and is not processed. Making your pets food from scratch provides the healthiest, cleanest diet and ensures ingredients keep all their nutritional integrity, unlike traditional kibble. Furthermore, toxin levels in freshly cooked food are non-existent, so you can be sure your dogs liver wont have to work as hard to filter out toxins with homemade meals. But what if you dont have the time to cook for your dog? Or dont know anything about dog nutrition. Enters fresh dog food companies likeThe Farmers Dog.

What sets it apart from competitors: Companies like The Farmers Dogdelivervet-designed, fresh-prepared homemadedog food tailored to your dogs dietary and health needs straight to your door. They cater to your dogs unique nutritional profile so you can tell them about your dogs food allergies, nutritional goals, and tear stain issues, and they will cook a personalized meal plan to meet your pets requirements.

Key Features

• Fresh ingredients.Everything is made from real, human-grade, all-natural ingredients (meats, veggies, grains, etc.), cooked in human-grade kitchens, and packaged as daily portions for easy serving.
• Balanced.All recipes are made by board-certified veterinary nutritionists that comply with AAFCO standards. They only source from reputable food suppliers, local farms, and other human food purveyors that meet USDA standards.
• Non-processed food.Never uses feed-grade ingredients or processes ingredients to be shelf-stable. This ensures your dog is getting the most balanced and nutritious meal possible.

Our readers have access to50%off for your dogs first box. No code is needed. Just usethislink,and the discount will be applied!

Best Dry Dog Food For Tear Stains

The Honest Kitchen

Who Its For: Ideal for those looking for the highest quality dry dog food to fight those tear stains.

Why we picked and recommended it: The Honest Kitchenformula is made free of chemically synthesized vitamins, minerals, or amino acids. It has no problematic ingredients that could trigger toxin buildup in your dogs tummy. Recipes are highly palatable, nutrient-dense, and meat-based, with concentrates on select fruits and vegetables. The formula is boosted with superfood functional ingredients that support and boost gut, skin and coat, immunity, heart, weight management and more.

What sets it apart from competitors: Its the cleanest dry kibble formula weve found. Unlike traditional dry dog food, this recipe is minimally processed. The Honest Kitchen recipes are roasted and dehydrated to preserve nutrients and flavor and maximize nutritional integrity.

Pros

• All nutrients are derived only from whole foods and natural ingredients
• Free of common allergens such as wheat, corn, rice, soy, potato, peas, or sweet potatoes
• Specially coated with probiotics and digestive enzymes to increase nutrient absorption and aid in digestion
• No harmful grains

Cons

• Comes with a high price tag, but this is common with higher-quality foods

Best Dog Food For Small Dogs With Tear Stains

CORE

Who Its For: Great for small dogs with tear stains.

Flavors: Turkey & chicken

Life stage: Adult small breeds

Ingredients: Natural & non-GMO

Why we picked and recommended it: This formula is crafted into a smaller kibble size for small dog breeds, and it has optimal protein levels and calorie content to help support the higher energy needs of small dog breeds. If your Maltese, Shih Tzu, Maltipoo, or small dog struggles with those troublesome tear stains,Wellness CORE for small dog breedsis your best alternative. It includes a fish and flax omega fatty acid blend for healthy skin and coat,which may help clear up those pesky stains under the eyes.

What sets it apart from competitors: It offers the perfect blend of antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals carefully selected by veterinarian nutritionists to support immune system health, digestive health, healthy oxidative balance, and a healthy heart. Its a protein-focused formula with severallean meat options like chicken, turkey, salmon, and fruits and vegetables.

Pros

• Great for small dogs with tear stains
• No meat by-products, fillers and preservatives
• No grain, corn, or soy
• Flaxseed-rich in Omega-3 that supports healthy skin & coat
• Best dog food for Maltese tear stains
• Non-GMO ingredients chosen for their nutritional benefits
• Minimizes food sensitivities and aids digestion
• Gluten-free

Cons

• The quality of packaging needs improvement to keep it closed and food fresh.
• Includes turkey and chicken meal

Best Grain-Free Kibble For Tear Stains

Merrick

Who Its For: Ideal for dogs with tear stains that have sensitivities to grains.

Ingredients: Locally sourced & USDA certified meats

Why we picked and recommended it: Merrick Grain-Free Dog Foodis your best grain-free kibble for dogs with tear stains. This dog food is great for repelling tear stains because they use whole and easier-to-digest ingredients like sweet potatoes, blueberries, and peas to reduce the strain on your dogs digestive system.

What sets it apart from competitors: It uses deboned meat as the first ingredient in its recipes. This dog food only sources high-quality proteins and includes various formulas like salmon, beef & bison, chicken, lamb, and more. Each formula features up to 84% of protein from animal sources.

Pros

• No Grains, zero preservatives, no fillers, corn, wheat, soy, or gluten
• Food composition: 70% of meat sources, 30% fresh produce (with ingredients like apples and blueberries)
• Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids support vibrant skin and coat
• Glucosamine and chondroitin to maintain hip and joint function
• Specially coated with probiotics and digestive enzymes to increase nutrient absorption and aid in digestion

Cons

• Comes with a high price tag, but this is common with higher-quality foods
• Bag not resealable

Best Affordable Dog Food For Tear Stains

Blue Buffalo

Who Its For: For those looking for budget-friendly dog food for tear stains.

Why we picked and recommended it: Blue Buffalo Basics Limitedoffers a limited ingredient (grain-free formulated) to minimize food sensitivities while maximizing nutritional value. Its made with LifeSource bits or specially formulated dog food containing a blend of the healthiest ingredients, with whole grains, antioxidants, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals blended precisely to create a healthy food option for dogs. This recipe uses real turkey as the first ingredient and adds peas and pumpkin to support gentle digestion in your dog without the grains that contain gluten. Thanks to the minimal and carefully selected nonallergic ingredient list, it may be a great option to fight off dog tear stains.

What sets it apart from competitors: It contains no chicken or poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, dairy, eggs, colors, artificial flavors, or preservatives.

Pros

• No grains that contain gluten, making it a good option for dogs with a sensitive stomach
• Essential proteins and carbohydrates
• Limited ingredient list to prevent tear stains and other food allergies
• Other flavor options, including duck, lamb, and salmon

Cons

• Uses turkey meal(source of glucosamine)

Best Vegan Dog Food For Tear Stains

Wild Earth

Who Its For: Great for those who want a sustainably and responsibly sourced tear stain recipe solution.

Flavors: Umami (meaty, savory)

Ingredients: Cruelty-free

Why we picked and recommended it: Wild Earth vegan dog foodcan help remove tear stains, as seen in the V-Dog food case above. Vegan dog food contains monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for the health of thedigestive tract. Furthermore, plant-based dog food is generally more easily digested by dogs digestive systems than regular kibble, vital in lessening toxin secretion.

What sets it apart from competitors: It uses only clean, sustainable, and tasty plant proteins that offer more protein by weight than traditional dog foods. Its boosted with superfood ingredients, including chickpeas, sweet potato, spinach, pumpkin, oats, and more. Its a clean, nutrient-rich, and all-cruelty-free recipe.

Pros

• Balanced recipe
• Has the same essential nutrients found in diets with meat as the primary protein source
• High-quality brown rice, oatmeal, and highly digestible potatoes
• Balanced omega fatty acids help support healthy skin and a shiny coat
• No artificial flavors or colors
• Highly digestible, energizing, and rejuvenatingBacked by science
• Backed by science

Cons

• One flavor is available. We wish they had more options for picky eaters
• A bit pricey but offers discounts with a subscription

Our readers have access to50% offthe first order. Just usethislinkto get this offer.

Best Puppy Food For Tear Stains

Zignature

Who Its For: For those with a puppy with tear stains at home.

Why we picked and recommended it: Puppy tear staining is usually caused by teething. Puppies tend to produce moretears during this stage,andtear stainsmay become apparent. You should check with your vet first so no other issues are causing thetears. When teething is over (assuming teething is the root cause of the stains), the problem often goes away. However, you can help your puppy by feeding him a limited diet thats easier on his digestive system. Zignature Duck Limited Ingredient Formulais our pick for puppies with tear stains. They throw out troublesome ingredients, offering nutritious formulas with no artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors. This grain-free hypoallergenic dog food uses low-glycemic nutrition, such as whole chickpeas and peas, which promote stable blood sugar and provide valuable dietary fiber. They use real, farm-raised ducks as a single protein source.

What sets it apart from competitors: Zignature Formulas are Physiologically Tuned, meaning theyre made to meet your pups nutritional needs and satisfy their instinctual cravings. Its made with one protein source, key antioxidants, fiber, essential fatty acids, and a complete spectrum of vitamins and minerals for a well-rounded meal for growing puppies.

Pros

• Made with duck from Western France
• High in essential Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Iron, Phosphorus, Zinc, and Selenium
• No corn, wheat, soy, dairy, and chicken
• Ideal for pups with sensitivities and picky eaters
• Gluten-Free
• Low-glycemic carbohydrates

Cons

• A bit on the expensive side

Best Tear Stain Food For Dogs With Sensitivities & Allergies

Rachael Ray Nutrish

Who Its For: If your tear-stained dog has food sensitivities or is allergic to certain ingredients, this formula is a good choice.

Flavors: Turkey enhanced with pork flavor

Why we picked and recommended it: Rachael Ray NutrishJust 6limited-ingredient formula is ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs who suffer from tear stains. With just six main ingredients, this formula has all the essential nutrients and vitamins to help maintain lean muscles and healthy organs. No poultry by-product meal, artificial flavors, colors, or artificial preservatives are used in this formula. Only wholesome food here.

Pros

• U.S.-sourced turkey provides essential amino acids and vitamins
• No dairy, egg, beef, or potato ingredients
• No grain, gluten, or filler ingredients
• Limited ingredient diet may help dogs avoid food sensitivities

Cons

• Might be hard for some pups
• Turkey meal is the first ingredient
• Made with turkey, but the taste is enhanced with pork flavor, which might confuse some parents

Best Wet Dog Food For Tear Stains

Blue Basics

Who Its For: Wet food has higher moisture content, beneficial for dogs needing more hydration, which can, in turn, help with tear stain issues.

Why we picked and recommended it: Wet dog food usually provides an irresistibly tasty experience for dogs. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient grain-free wet dog food is an excellent alternative that wont prompt allergic reactions that cause tear stains. It will also help dogs with digestion issues. This recipe uses a single animal protein (turkey) and only the finest naturally grain-free ingredients. Its packed with garden fruits and veggies such as pumpkin, blueberries, and cranberries and enhanced with vitamins and minerals. Blue Buffalo wet limited is formulated with healthy carbohydrates to promote an active lifestyle. This limited-ingredient formula avoids fillers and artificial additives, keeping your dogs tail wagging during mealtime by providing reduced eye stains.

What sets it apart from competitors: It can be served as a delicious treat, add interest mixed into your dogs favorite dry foods, or be fed as a meal.

Pros

• Real turkey
• Doesnt contain any chicken, beef, dairy, or eggs
• No grains, corn, wheat or soy-free
• No by-product meals
• No artificial flavors or preservatives
• Vitamins A, B12, D3, and B9

Cons

• Some users report cans arrived dented due to shipping

Best Dog Food For White Dogs

Royal Canin

Who Its For: Perfect for those looking for the best food for Maltese to prevent tear stains. Its also great for other white dogs.

Ingredients: High quality

Regarding dog food for white dogs and Maltese specifically, Royal Canins Maltese food stands out from the crowd. This food is formulated to maintain the beautiful white, silky coats of the Bichon Maltese and other white-coated dogs.

But can Royal Canin help with tear stains?

We noticed some of the ingredients in this formula include brewers rice, corn, chicken by-product meal, chicken fat, and wheat gluten. These ingredients are not necessarily bad for dogs, but they are certainly not nutritious, either. While somedogs may respond great to this formula, other pups with more sensitive tummies may react adversely, resulting in more tear stains.

As discussed previously, white dogs are more susceptible to developing noticeable tear stains under their eyes or other body partssome breed more than others. If you are looking for dog food for your Maltese or white dog, our top picks,The Farmers DogorThe Honest Kitchen, are better and safer alternatives. Like Royal Canins, their recipes contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to promote a healthy white coat, which is particularly important for the skin.

Additional InformationJump to:The Research | Full Reviews

Red Tear Stains vs. brown Tear Stains

Whats the difference between red vs. brown tear stains?

Tearstains that have a reddish or rusted-colored appearance result from porphyrins. This reddish coloration occurs when iron-containing waste products are exerted from the dogs body. If the stains are more of a brown color, it may indicate your pup has developed a yeast infection on the face. Yeast infections smell, so give it a quick sniff. If you sense an unpleasant odor, think yeast. Brown stains happen due to the constant moisture in your dogs eyes.

Its essential you know this! You want to treat the right stain with the right products. Sometimes, both can be present. Always consult with your vet!

What Foods Cause Tear Stains In Dogs?

What ingredients can cause tear stains in dogs?

According to the AKC, cheap fillers found in inferior-quality foods such as corn, wheat, and meat meals cancauseallergic reactions, resulting in excesstearing, leading to tear stains. Generally, cheap dog food doesnt ensure long-term good health and is more likely to produce tear stains than high-quality options because cheap kibble usually contains excess chemicals, cheap fillers, artificial flavors/colors, and preservatives in their food,

Chemicals and allergens typically cause food-related tear stains in dogs in your dogs food. We recommend performing an at-home dog food allergy test to avoid giving Fido food that could trigger allergies.This test should help you discover the ingredients your pup is allergic to and give you the insight you need to create an allergy-free nutritional plan. Any allergic reaction could lead to tear stains, says the AKC.

Here is a list of ingredients in dog food to avoid tear stains.

• Corn and wheat gluten
• Food allergens
• Meat and grain meals and by-products
• BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
• BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
• Ethoxyquin
• Food Dyes (Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, 4-MIE)
• P.G. (Propylene Glycol)
• Rendered fat
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate
• Animal digest
• Propylene Glycol
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate
• Soy
• Nitrites or Nitrates
• Xylitol and Other Sugar Alcohols
• Corn Syrup
• MSG (monosodium glutamate)
• Meat meal
• Flour
• Artificial colors

Sources: Pet Safe & Homes Alive

Can Dog Food Cause Tear Stains?

Yes. Feeding your dog a diet high in fillers, preservatives, artificial flavors, additives, and ingredients that may trigger allergies may cause food-related tear stains in dogs. Remember, a bad diet contributes to the buildup of porphyrins (the chemical responsible for the stains). The more stress you put on your dogs digestive system/liver, the more chances your pup will secret porphyrins through their eyes and turn into those pesky stains.

Cheap commercial dog food contains harmful ingredients, such as meat by-products, leading to systemic overload that can worsen tear stains. Avoid high sugar content, low-grade ingredients, cannedfoods, synthetic vitamins, and things of that nature at all costs.

Best Dog Food To Prevent Tear Stains

The best dog food to prevent tear stains should have the following characteristics.

• A limited number of all-natural ingredients
• No fillers or artificial preservatives
• Pure protein sources
• Homemade dog food
• Plant-based
• Grain-free

Switching your pup to a premium,balanced,whole-food, grain-free diet rich in real meat protein is advised. Our top picks for the best dog food for tear staining are excellent places to start. Using a dog probiotic or adding one to your dogs daily meals has yielded positive results. Probiotics promote friendly bacteria in a dogs gut microbiomeand assist his gastrointestinal tract function.

Remember to gradually transition your dog into his new food to avoid digestive upset or tummy trouble. Mix yourdogscurrentfoodwith his newfood. Over seven days, gradually decrease the amount of the old foodwhile increasing the amount of new food. Contact your veterinarian for professional advice.

Dog Treats For Tear Stains

Youve secured the right food to prevent tear stains, but it wont be effective if you continue giving your pup unhealthy treats.

Several options exist, but our favorite all-natural treat is Full Moons Kitchen-Crafted Natural Dog Treats. They are made using human-grade limited ingredients that meet strict USDA standards for human consumption. These tasty treats are free of grains, glycerin, or artificial preservatives and flavors.

A more practical option is to get tear-stain-specific treats. Treats like PetPosts Tear Stain Remover Soft Chews or NaturVet Tear Stain Soft Chews have the necessary ingredients to combat the root of tear stains effectively and provide additional immune support to prevent them from returning. They are packed with the highest quality extracts from Eyebright Herb, Lutein, Oregon Grape Root, Marshmallow Root, and Cranberry. Its advised only to feed your pet until the stains resolve, then switch to a more natural option.

Other Ways to Treat Tear Stains In Dogs Safely

We have covered how a proper diet can help with tear stains in dogs, but other alternatives and natural options might mitigate your dogs tear stains.Stain removal is another chapter (and we will cover it in another post), but here is a quick list of some of the most popular products people report to have worked.

At-Home Remedies For Dog Tear Stains

These ingredients, foods, and over-the-counter medicines work well to eliminate tear stains naturally.

• Adding one teaspoon of either organic apple cider vinegar or buttermilk powder to meals seems to help
• I-Stain, a probiotic enzyme
• Vetericyn ophthalmic gel is available over the counter
• Soak a cotton pad in a water-diluted hydrogen peroxidedried into the muzzle (avoid eyes)
• Applying Visine to the fur, not the eyes, can lighten the color enough to live with it until it grows
• Add a daily teaspoon of white vinegar to your dogs water bowl to suppress the frequency and severity of tear stains. Doing this changes the pH (alkalinity levels) of a dogs tears, making it difficult for yeast and bacteria to thrive.
• Cleaning your dogs face with colloidal silver is a great way to brighten stained fur (use a cotton ball)

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about dog food for tear stains.

Does Chicken Cause Tear Stains In Dogs?

Chicken is among the most common allergens indogs. Excessive eyedischarge can result from food allergies, which compromise the immune system andcauseuncomfortable symptoms, including tear stains. If your dog is allergic to chicken, it could develop tear stains.

What Is The Best Dog Food For Maltese Tear Stains?

Maltese dogs are among those most commonly affected by tear stains. Look for recipes with whole meats and produce in their recipes that never include any meal or meat by-products or highly processed ingredients. The best food for Maltese is fresh and low in toxins. The Farmers Dog, Natures Logic, and Wellness CORE for small dog breeds are excellent choices.

What Is The Best Food For Maltipoo Tear Stains?

Maltipoos with tear stains can benefit from clean, fresh formulas that avoid highly processed ingredients.The Farmers Dogand Natures Logicare excellent choices. Wellness CORE for small dog breeds is a great option as well.

Does Royal Canin Cause Tear Stains?

Its not certain Royal Canin Bichon Frise Adult dry dog food causes tear stains. However, we noticed some of the ingredients in this formula include four questionable ingredients (brewer rice, corn, chicken by-product meal, chicken fat, and wheat gluten). While not necessarily bad for dogs, these ingredients are not beneficial either.

Best Dog Food For Tear Stains Conclusion

Unfortunately, there isnt just one solution to getting rid of this condition. Each dog will respond differently, so it often takes experimenting, patience, and finding a product that works. Above all, we think having that precious littlewhiteface smiling at you again is worth the effort! Plus, taking care of anything that could jeopardize your pups health is crucial.

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Canine Bible uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processand product review methodology to learn more about how we fact-check, test products, and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). Porphyrin.
2. Healthy Pets Mercola
3. Koehler, R. (2023, April 11). Dog Tear Stains: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention. PetMD.
4. Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Porphyria Symptoms and causes.
5. V-Dog

Canine Bible authorship represents the unified voice of our entire editorial team and our in-house veterinarians rather than a single author. Each article, blog post, and review published under the Canine Bible name undergoes a rigorous review process, involving all team members to guarantee accuracy and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. This collaborative effort is an integral part of our editorial process and aligns with our four pillars of content creation. This approach ensures our content is backed by expert knowledge and factual information, offering our readers reliable, actionable, and trustworthy content.