What is the best dog food to prevent 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!
The 8 Best Dog Foods For Tear Stains
If your dog has watery eyes because of a dietary allergen, you may need to switch your pup to a healthier diet. Chemicals and allergens can cause tear stains on dogs. The best food for tear stains will have limited ingredients with no fillers or artificial preservatives.
Using our40-point inspection, Weve reviewed the best dog foods for tear stains to help you choose the right one.
Lets get started.
The 8 Best Dog Foods For Tear Stains
Top Products | Rating | Top 5 Ingredients |
1. Lucy Pet Limited Ingredient Duck & Potato Dog Food | 4.3 | Duck, Dried Potatoes, Duck Meal, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Duck Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols) |
2. Halo Holistic Wild Salmon & Whitefish Recipe: Small Breed | 4.6 | Salmon, Whitesh, Dried Egg Product, Dried Peas, Dried Chickpeas |
3. Wellness Simple L.I.D Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey and Potato | 4.5 | Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Dried Ground Potatoes |
4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Natural Adult Salmon Recipe | 4.7 | Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Peas, Pea Protein, Menhaden Fish Meal |
5. Brothers Complete Advanced Allergy Care Turkey and Dried Eggs Recipe | 4.7 | Turkey Meal, Whole Eggs Dried, Pea Starch, Cassava/Tapioca, Peas |
6. Go! Sensitivity Limited Ingredient Diet Duck Recipe Grain-Free | 4.5 | Deboned duck, Duck Meal, Peas, Tapioca, Lentils, Chickpeas |
7. Instinct by Natures Variety Original Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Natural Wet Canned Dog Food | 4.3 | Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Ground Flaxseed |
8. Merrick Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey | 4.1 | Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chickpeas, Lentils, Peas |
How to Switch Dog Food Without Getting Your Pup Sick
1. Lucy Pet Limited Ingredient Duck & Potato Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1.Duck, 2.Dried Potatoes, 3.Duck Meal, 4.Dried Sweet Potatoes, 5.Duck Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
When it comes to preventing tear stains, this limited ingredient recipe is all you need. Lucy Pets foods are grain-free and have no wheat, soy, corn, artificial preservatives, or coloring.
This recipe contains all-natural protein sources to support your dogs health. It includes a special Prebiotic Balanced Fiber (P.B.F.) blend of natural sources, including quinoa, dried chicory root, flaxseed, dried kelp, pumpkin, chickpeas, and ground miscanthus grass. All these ingredients enhance your dogs immunity and prevent allergy flare-ups. Plus, the food contains omega fatty acids to promote a healthy coat and skin. Its a perfect recipe for all breeds and life stages.
2. Halo Holistic Wild Salmon & Whitefish Recipe: Small Breed
Top 5 Ingredients:1.Salmon, 2.Whitesh, 3.Dried Egg Product, 4.Dried Peas, 5.Dried Chickpeas
If youre looking for dog food for small breeds, consider Halo Holistic all-natural recipe. This recipe contains whole foods and produces for optimal skin health. Its bioavailable ingredients are easy to absorb and good for immune health.
This holistic approach to food may also help prevent tear stains, and the fatty acids in the recipes ingredients will make your dogs coat shine. The formula is free of by-products, artificial additives, and factory-farmed ingredients. Its one of the best sustainable options to maintain your dogs health.
3. Blue Buffalo basics Turkey & Potato Recipe
Top 5 Ingredients:1.Deboned Turkey, 2.Oatmeal, 3.Brown Rice, 4.Potatoes, 5.Peas
When it comes to dry dog food manufacturers, Blue Buffalo is an excellent choice. This nutrient-rich recipe can meet your pups dietary needs. It has limited ingredients, including real turkey, and can reduce your dogs tear stains.
This all-natural kibble doesnt contain animal by-products and artificial preservatives. It has pumpkin and highly digestible carbohydrates like potatoes and peas. If you have a sensitive dog with food allergies, you may want to consider this recipe. It has everything your dog needs to be healthy and thrive.
4. Wellness Simple L.I.D Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey and Potato
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Turkey, 2. Turkey Meal, 3. Potatoes, 4. Peas, 5. Dried Ground Potatoes
This product from Wellness is great for tear-stain prevention. It has high-quality proteins like adult whitefish and digestible carbohydrates like sweet potatoes.
This natural, grain-free dog food can support full-body health. It includes omega fatty acids, glucosamine, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, and taurine for your dogs health and shiny coat. It excludes gluten, artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors that may harm your dog. It contains wholesome ingredients to keep your dog active all day.
5. Brothers Complete Advanced Allergy Care Turkey and Dried Eggs Recipe
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Turkey Meal, 2. Whole Eggs Dried, 3. Pea Starch, 4. Cassava/Tapioca, 5. Peas
This allergy care dog food is perfect for dogs with tear stains. It has high protein content, including turkey meal and dried eggs. It is a unique, grain-free formula that contains premium ingredients for optimal skin health. Plus, it contains low-glycemic carbs from cassava plant roots for easy digestion.
This recipe focuses on healing, balancing, and maintaining a healthy immune system. It contains natural preservatives for maximum freshness. Lastly, its great for every life stage and helps dogs avoid skin conditions and stomach troubles.
6. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Natural Adult Salmon Recipe
Top 5 Ingredients:1. Deboned Salmon, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Peas, 4. Pea Protein, 5. Menhaden Fish Meal
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Natural Salmon Dog Food features a high-protein recipe that will keep tear stains at bay. It contains deboned salmon and chicken meal to satisfy the high protein needs of all breeds, including the small and large ones. There is also a menhaden fish meal in the primary ingredients. It provides a tasty punch of pea protein and other nutrients for added nourishment.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon recipe has the patented LifeSource bits, making it a good choice for your allergy-sensitive dog.
7. Canidae: Pure Real Salmon and Sweet Potato
Top 5 Ingredients:1. Salmon, 2. Salmon Meal, 3. Menhaden Fish Meal, 4. Sweet Potatoes, 5. Peas
A limited ingredient diet doesnt have to lack taste. Canidae proves that you can have a delicious, nutrient-rich recipe with as few as eight ingredients. This Real Salmon and Sweet Potato dry dog food is a fish-based recipe containing salmon and menhaden as the primary protein source. Peas and sweet potatoes provide the necessary carbs.
This recipe is a healthy option for dogs that may develop tear stains. There are no fillers, grains, or artificial additives in this recipe. It contains minerals and vitamins to keep your pet sharp and healthy.
8. Merrick Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey
Top 5 Ingredients:1. Deboned Turkey, 2. Turkey Meal, 3. Chickpeas, 4. Lentils, 5. Peas
Turkey is a novel protein and a safer alternative to chicken. Merricks Limited Ingredient Turkey recipe can help prevent tear stains and allergy flare-ups. Its a grain- and gluten-free recipe to keep your dog healthy and active all day. It offers a balanced amount of protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrates.
This diet has a single-source protein formula and is one of the safest for sensitive dogs. Your dog gets glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints and a good amount of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for a shiny coat.
9. Go! Sensitivity Limited Ingredient Diet Duck Recipe Grain-Free
Top 5 Ingredients:1.Deboned Duck, 2.Duck Meal, 3.Peas, 4.Tapioca, 5.Lentils, 6.Chickpeas
Go! Sensitivity dry food provides your dog with the daily nutrition he needs to stay healthy. Its a limited ingredient that contains cage-free duck as a source of poultry protein.
The recipe is grain, gluten, and potato-free and is perfect for dogs with specific dietary needs. It contains prebiotic fiber from dried chicory root for a healthy gut and omega oils for healthy skin and coat. Its a great recipe for dogs of all breeds and life stages.
10. Blue Buffalo Basics L.I.D Limited-Ingredient Turkey and Potato
Top 5 Ingredients:1. Deboned Turkey, 2. Potatoes, 3. Turkey Meal, 4. Oatmeal, 5. Pea Starch
Blue Buffalos Basic is a limited ingredient diet that minimizes sensitivities and maximizes nutritional value. Its a good choice for sensitive dogs with tear stains. It contains turkey as the single protein source and potato as the primary source of digestible carbs. You also get pea fiber and pumpkin to aid digestion and prevent stomach-related sensitivities.
This limited ingredient formula supports your dogs nutritional needs and overall wellbeing.It has a patented antioxidant blend called the LifeSource Bits.
11. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Dry Grain-Free Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients:1. Buffalo, 2. Lamb Meal, 3. Chicken Meal, 4. Sweet Potatoes, 5. Peas
If youre looking for a high protein diet for your dog, this is a great option. Taste of the Wild offers one of the best options for sensitive dogs. This grain-free diet features an ideal nutrient balance for your dogs optimal health.
This recipe contains antioxidants and vitamins to optimize nutrient absorption. The novel protein sources in this formula are great for preventing tear stains and other allergic reactions. They also help your dog maintain strong and lean muscles.
12. Nutro Ultra Chicken Grain-Free Split Pea & Carrot Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Split Peas, 4. Lamb Meal, 5. Dried Potatoes
This dog food by Nutro Ultra contains farm-raised chicken as the primary ingredient and meets your dogs nutritional requirements. The blend includes a variety of wholesome ingredients, such as farm-grown split peas, carrots, and parsley. Its a nutritious and flavorful diet for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes.
The formula also contains high-quality fruits and vegetables that offer balanced nutrition. If you want your dog to thrive and have fewer allergic reactions, this grain-free recipe is an excellent choice.
13. Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients:1. Herring Meal, 2. Peas, 3. Salmon meal, 4. Pea Protein, 5. Tapioca
This recipe contains high protein content extracted from some of the best sources, including salmon, whitefish meal, and herring meal. The Coastal Catch formula is a great choice for adult dogs as the high protein levels and other nutrients enhance immune health. Its a grain-free recipe with natural ingredients to help your dog thrive and prevent allergic reactions. Additionally, it contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential omegas to maintain great skin and fur!
14. Health Extension Buffalo & Whitefish Grain-Free Recipe Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients:1. Buffalo, 2. Deboned Whitefish, 3. Buffalo Meal, 4. Whitefish Meal, 5. Chickpeas
Health Extensions grain-free recipe contains high protein content thats derived from premium animal sources. It has buffalo meal and deboned whitefish. Other ingredients such as whole vegetables, fruits, and herbs offer optimal nutrition to your pup. This recipe is ideal for preventing tear stains in sensitive dogs. It is free from gluten and G.M.O.s and is suitable for all dog breeds and life stages.
The formula is rich in fiber and contains omega fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, calcium, and dietary fiber. Its one of the best foods for allergy-prone dogs and provides dense nutrition.
15. CANIDAE PURE Grain-Free Real Lamb Limited Ingredient Diet
Top 5 Ingredients:1. Lamb, 2. Goat Meat, 3. Lentils, 4. Peas, 5. Tapioca
This special recipe is rich in lamb protein and supports sensitive dogs. It eliminates all fillers and unnecessary ingredients to prevent allergic reactions on the skin. The limited ingredient recipe uses just eight key ingredients for easy digestion and includes all the essential nutrients your dog needs. The high protein content and other nutrients guarantee your dogs wellbeing.
16. Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients:1.Deboned Turkey, 2.Turkey Meal, 3.Salmon Meal, 4.Chickpeas, 5.Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols & Citric Acid)
This grain-free recipe has animal-based protein sources and is a healthy choice for your dog, including the perfect blend of high-protein ingredients includes turkey, salmon, chicken, and eggs. Other nutrients include organic vegetables and fruits for optimal skin health. The excellent nutrient profile makes this a popular choice for dogs with tear stains.
17. Instinct by Natures Variety Original Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Natural Wet Canned Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredient: 1.Chicken, 2.Turkey, 3.Chicken Broth, 4.Chicken Liver, 5.Ground Flaxseed
Satisfy your dogs nutritional requirements by offering him flavorful wet dog food. This canned option contains grain-free chicken and is suitable for dogs that are prone to tear stains. The primary protein sources include turkey, chicken, and chicken liver. Other wholesome ingredients serve as natural sources of essential nutrients like protein, fats, carbs, and essential omega fatty acids.
18. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Salmon Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1.Salmon, 2.Menhaden Fish Meal, 3.Sweet Potatoes, 4.Cassava Flour, 5.Potatoes
Meet your dogs nutritional requirements by offering him a balanced, holistic meal. The grain-free, limited ingredient diet contains selective ingredients to minimize adverse reactions and tear stains. Your pup gets all the essential nutrients without experiencing any discomfort or irritation. The recipe uses salmon and sweet potato as primary ingredients and is suitable for dogs with sensitive tummies. It supports overall health and wellbeing.
19. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets H.A. Chicken Flavor
Top 5 Ingredients: 1.Corn Starch, 2. Hydrolyzed Soy Protein Isolate, 3. Partially Hydrogenated Canola Oil Preserved with Tbho, 4. Coconut Oil, 5. Dicalcium Phosphate
Food sensitivities dont mean you have to deprive your dog of all proteins. Purina Pro Plan Ha canine formula is a great alternative to regular kibble. It contains a single carbohydrate source, which is a highly digestible and low allergen. It is an excellent option for dogs that are already dealing with watery eyes and tear stains. Keep in mind that it a prescription diet, which means you need your veterinarians approval and authorization.
20. Iams ProActive Health Adult With Beef & Rice Pate Canned Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Water, 3. Beef, 4. Brewers Rice, 5. Flaxseed
Iams ProActive Health Sensitive Skin & Stomach has real chicken as the primary source of protein. It also contains rice as a source of digestive fiber. This slow-cooked formula is ideal for dogs with sensitive skin. Other vegetables provide essential minerals and vitamins to make it a perfectly balanced meal for your pooch. Plus, you get the essential fatty acids and beneficial antioxidants to keep your dog look and feel healthy. The recipe is free of all the fillers and artificial additives.
Related:
Buyers Guide Shopping Considerations
Some dog breeds develop tear stains underneath their eyes. The cause can be related to food and environmental allergies and other health issues. If your dogs eyes water excessively, its important to provide a healthy and nutritious diet. Good food can help restore your dogs beautiful, furry face.
Ingredients to Avoid
Fillers:Dogs need a simple, protein-rich diet for their bodies to function properly. Many dog food manufacturers add fillers like wheat, corn, and other grains to cut costs. These fillers arent harmful, but some sensitive dogs react poorly, which can ultimately cause tear stains. If your dog has tear stains, you may want to consider grain-free dog food.
Preservatives:Most commercial dog food brands add unnatural preservatives to keep their kibble shelf-stable for extended periods. Pets can have allergic reactions to these preservatives and develop tear stains.
Artificial colors and flavoring:Dog foods that rely on artificial flavors to make their food more palatable can cause eye staining. Its best to choose an all-natural dog food with a simple ingredient list.
Dietary Considerations for Preventing Tear Stains
Limited ingredient dog food
Limited ingredient dog food (L.I.D.) is a great option for pet parents. It often contains one protein source, like salmon or lamb, and has quality carbohydrates. If you want to buy dog food with limited ingredients, you should check the product label to see whats in it. There can be hidden ingredients in these diets that are potential problems for sensitive dogs.
Look for wholesome nutrition in limited ingredient dog foods. The best L.I.D. foods have AAFCO-certification.
Grain-free dog food
A grain-free diet is perfect for dogs with sensitivity to grains like barley, wheat, corn, and rye. Dogs have difficulty digesting these grains, which can also tear stains, rashes, gastrointestinal disease, inflammation, and other serious health issues.
Grain-free diets are always gluten-free and can prevent common allergy symptoms such as tear stains. These diets are highly digestible, meaning your pet can utilize necessary nutrients efficiently.
Novel ingredient dog food
Novel diets are ideal for dogs that are prone to tear stains. It refers to protein your pet hasnt tried before, which reduces the chances of an adverse reaction. Novel diets have allergy-friendly ingredients such as venison, rabbit, kangaroo, fish, or duck. Commercial pet foods rarely use novel proteins, so previous exposure in dogs is unlikely.
Dont forget about treats
Some people avoid unhealthy ingredients in their dogs food but offer plenty of processed treats. If you want to prevent tear stains in dogs, make sure you choose organic treats.
Youll find many options on the market, but we recommend Full Moons Kitchen-Crafted Natural Dog Treats. These limited-ingredient treats are free of glycerin, artificial preservatives, and flavors. They come in chicken or beef options so that you can choose your pets favorite protein.
Another great option is PetPosts Tear Stain Remover Soft Chews. These chews contain supplements to combat tear stains.
Other tips to reduce staining
Good Hygiene
Daily facial grooming can keep those pesky stains at bay. Here are some tips:
- Flush your dogs eyes with a canine eyewash, such as Terra Septic eye drops or saline eyewash solutions.
- Soak a cotton ball with the eyewash or a contact lens solution, and rub underneath the eye area. Bio True and Opti-Clear are great options.
- Wash the muzzle hair with waterless or dry shampoo. You can also try 3% hydrogen peroxide on a paper towel.
- Trim the hair around the eyes to avoid irritation and subsequent tearing.
Regular Vet Visits
Visiting your veterinarian can help treat underlying medical conditions before they can cause tear stains. Dogs often tear excessively when in discomfort. So, you should consider going to the vet if you notice an eye discharge.
How to Clean Tear Stains on Dogs
The best way to reduce tear staining is to keep the eye area clean and dry. You can accomplish this with dry cotton balls or makeup remover pads. Alternatively, you can clean the eye area with a washcloth and saline solution.
Cleaning aims to remove excessive tear accumulation and allow the area to dry to prevent moisture build-up of moisture.
There are several over-the-counter cleaning wipes you can use to keep the eye area clean. Just make sure the cleaning product is safe to use around a dogs eyes.
Some experts stress the importance of reading product labels and getting your veterinarians approval before using any cleaning product on your dog.
Be careful and avoid getting any of the products in your dogs eye. Placing your dog on a grooming table or getting a friend to hold your dog gently can be a big help.
Safe products you can use to clean tear stainsinclude:
- Dilute baby shampoo
- Contact lens solution
- Commercially available eyewash for dogs
Our Favorite Tear Stain Cleaner
Optixcare Eye Cleaneris a great liquid wash that is safe around the eye.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which types of dogs are susceptible to eye discharge and tear stains?
Dogs with white facial fur are more likely to have visible eye discharge or tear staining on their faces. Pigments in their tears can easily stain light-colored fur. Also, dogs with long hair may be more prone to excessive tearing.
Which dog breeds are susceptible to eye discharge and tear stains?
Short-nosed dog breeds like Shih-Tzu, Pekingese, and pug are prone to excessive tearing. These breeds have shallow eye sockets or hair growth around the eyes that cause tear stains.
How can I remove my dogs tear stains?
These reddish-brown stains can be stubborn, but you can try home remedies to minimize their appearance. You can swab the stains using whitening products like hydrogen peroxide or special grooming products for stained pet fur. Remember to keep harsh cleaning products away from your dogs face.
What are tear stains, and do they go away?
Tear stains are a common problem in dogs. They are visible marks around the dogs eyes, most easily seen on dogs with light-colored fur. A good diet and regular cleaning can make tear stains go away.
Can coconut oil remove dog tear stains?
Using coconut oil to remove tear stains is a holistic and natural approach. You can apply organic coconut oil and cornflour on stained fur for easy removal.
How can I get rid of brown stains on white dogs?
You have to clean the muzzle hair with dry shampoo and a wet washcloth. You can also try 3% hydrogen peroxide on a paper towel to remove brown stains.
Why does my pet have dark tear stains?
Tear stains arent harmful to dogs, but they may indicate underlying health conditions. These include teething problems, corneal ulcerations, ear infections, a pH imbalance, and large tear glands. Ingrown eyelashes and a poor diet may also contribute to tear stains.
Are tear stains bad for my dog?
Yes, tear stains are bad for your dog. They are a sign of discomfort and underlying health issues. You may need to consult a vet immediately if your dog develops these stains to determine the root of the problem.
Can apple cider vinegar remove tear stains?
Apple cider vinegar has many culinary uses and can also help remove those pesky tear stains.
Does tap water contribute to tear stains in dogs?
High mineral content in water can also contribute to tear stains. You can give your pup fresh, filtered water to prevent staining.
Can diet cause tear stains in dogs?
Low-quality ingredients in your dogs food like preservatives and fillers can cause allergic reactions and excessive tearing.
What products can prevent my dogs tear stains?
You can use an eye rinse like Vetericyn Plus All Animal Eye Wash to flush out the eyes. It helps remove irritants that may cause tearing. You can also use a gel to soothe any residual irritation.
What is a food allergy?
A food allergy occurs when a pets immune system mistakenly identifies a food ingredient as harmful and creates defensive antibodies to fight the invading enemy (the food).
How often should I feed my dogs?
If you have a puppy, you should feed him at least four times a day, while adult dogs are normally fed twice a day. Dogs enjoy routine, so establish a feeding schedule and maintain it. A good time to feed your dog is during family meals to keep him busy while the rest of the family is eating.
How much should I feed my sensitive dog?
The amount your sensitive dog needs to eat depends on many factors, including life stage, size, lifestyle, and general health. Select a premium quality dog food, weigh your dog and read the feeding guidelines on the package. Remember that every dog is unique, so you might have to adjust your dogs feeding accordingly.
What are the signs of a food allergy?
The symptoms of an allergy include skin rash, tear stains, hives, paw biting, itching, obsessive licking, and sometimes nausea.
Does food cause my dogs allergy?
Food is the third leading cause of canine allergies. If you observe any allergy symptoms, you should consult a vet to determine the cause.
What ingredients can provoke food allergies?
The most common ingredients that can provoke an allergic reaction include:
- Beef
- Dairy
- Chicken
- Lamb
- Fish
- Corn
- Wheat
- Soy
- Yeast
Can a vet help prevent excessive tearing?
If an allergen is causing tear stains, keeping the pet away from the trigger is necessary. Vets can decide if your dog needs medication to stop excessive tearing. They can also recommend prescription diets and recommend lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms.
Is good nutrition important for dogs with tear stains?
Your dog must eat a complete and balanced diet. Dogs need protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, antioxidants, vitamins, and freshwater. The most important nutrient is freshwater, which makes up 60 percent of a dogs weight. Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are also crucial for optimal skin health and overall wellbeing.
Are dog tear stains normal?
Yes, dog tear stains are normal, and they occur from time to time. But when they develop tear stains frequently, you should consult a vet to fix the underlying problem.