The unsightly, brownish-orange stains appear under the inner corners of the
eyes. Similar stains can be seen around the mouth from saliva, and on the paws
if the dog licks them or drools on them.
Whether or not a dog will have stains depends on the acid content in the tears
and saliva. Also, excessive amounts of iron in the dog's diet or water can cause
the staining, since iron turns reddish when exposed to air. Additionally, tear
stains are often hereditary.
Most pet shops have an entire section of products which supposedly combat or
cover the stains. I have never found one that works.
The best solution is to keep the stained areas as clean as possible. To do this,
wet a gauze pad (it works much better than cotton balls) with warm water.
Squeeze out the excess water so it's not dripping. Gently wash under the eyes.
Applying a thin layer of Vaseline under the eyes can help prevent the tears from
being absorbed by the fur, therefore keeping new stains from forming. Use a damp
wash cloth to clean the mouth area and paws.
For longhaired dogs such as the above mentioned breeds, it's a good idea to take
the dog to the groomer every two to four weeks to have the hair under the eyes
shaved off. This is true of dogs of any color if they tend to get crusted matter
around the eyes. Most groomers only charge a few dollars for this and some
provide it as a free service if you're a regular client at the shop.
In cases of excessive tearing, more serious problems such as allergies,
infection, clogged tear ducts, and inverted eyelids should be ruled out by your
veterinarian.
Some cats, particularly Persians, are also prone to tear stains. Again, serious
problems should be ruled out by your vet. The eyes can be kept clean as
described above. Never use any drops or medications in your pet's eyes unless
prescribed by your vet.
