Tear Stains in Dogs: Looking Beyond the Surface

If you’ve ever shared your life with a white or light-colored dog, you’ve probably noticed those reddish-brown stains beneath the eyes. While tear stains are often considered a cosmetic issue, they can sometimes be your dog’s way of telling you that something deeper is out of balance.

Rather than simply wiping away the stains or using bleaching products, it’s worth looking at what may be causing excessive tearing in the first place.

What Causes Tear Stains?

Tear stains develop when tears overflow onto the fur around the eyes. The moisture creates an environment where pigments, yeast, and bacteria can discolor the hair.

Common contributors include:

• Poor-quality or highly processed diets (kibble)
• Mineral-heavy tap water
• Food sensitivities
• Gut imbalance (dysbiosis/leaky gut)
• Environmental allergies
• Breed conformation (especially dogs with shallow eye sockets or blocked tear ducts)
• Long facial hair that traps moisture
• Eye irritation from dust, pollen, or eyelashes rubbing the eye

Breeds commonly affected include Maltese, Bichon Frise, Shih Tzus, Poodles, Havanese, Coton de Tulear, and other small breeds.

Start with Nutrition

Everything in the body is connected, including the eyes.

A biologically appropriate diet made with whole, minimally processed ingredients can help reduce inflammation and support a healthier immune system. Many pet parents notice improvements after switching from highly processed kibble to a balanced raw or gently cooked diet. For more information on the different types of pet food visit our pet food overview page. 

Look for foods made with:

• High-quality animal protein
• Minimal ingredients
• No artificial colors or preservatives
• No unnecessary fillers or sugars

While diet isn’t the cause of every case, it often plays a significant role.

Consider Your Water Source

Tap water can contain minerals, chlorine, fluoride, and other impurities that may contribute to tear staining in some dogs.

Offering clean, filtered water is a simple change that many pet parents find beneficial (we recoommend AquaTru Water Filters). While it won’t resolve every case, it can be one piece of the puzzle.

Support Gut Health

The gut and immune system are closely connected. When the microbiome is out of balance, inflammation throughout the body—including around the eyes—may increase. Visit our Leaky Gut page for more information.

Four Leaf Rover Saccharomyces boulardii (10% coupon off full priced items with coupon: SAVING-PETS) is a beneficial probiotic yeast that helps support:

• A balanced gut microbiome
• Healthy digestion
• Normal immune function

For dogs with digestive issues or those recovering from antibiotics, restoring gut balance may also help reduce chronic tear staining. Read our Saccharomyces Boulardii for Dogs and Cats: Why so Many Holistic Parents Use It blog.

Natural Eye Hygiene

Keeping the area around the eyes clean helps prevent staining from becoming worse.

Many holistic pet parents use Adored Beast Colloidal Silver Sol to gently cleanse around the eyes. It can help keep the area clean while minimizing the buildup of debris that contributes to discoloration.

Always use products as directed and avoid placing anything directly into the eye unless it is specifically intended and labeled for ophthalmic use.

Support Skin and Coat Health

Healthy skin starts from within.

Woof Creek Algal Omega-3 Plant Base Oil (10% off this URL) provides a sustainable source of omega-3 fatty acids that support:

• Healthy skin
• A shiny coat
• Normal inflammatory response
• Overall immune health

Because it’s algae-based, it also avoids concerns some pet owners have about fish-derived products.

Don’t Forget Grooming

Regular grooming is one of the easiest ways to minimize tear stains.

Keep the hair around the eyes neatly trimmed, gently wipe away moisture each day, and prevent hair from irritating the eyes. Moist fur creates the perfect environment for staining organisms to thrive.

When Tear Stains Need Veterinary Attention

While many cases are harmless, persistent or sudden tear staining should not be ignored.

Schedule a veterinary examination if your dog has:

• Squinting or excessive blinking
• Thick yellow or green discharge
• Red, swollen, or painful eyes
• Cloudiness of the eye
• A foul odor
• One eye tearing much more than the other
• Sudden onset of severe tearing

Conditions such as blocked tear ducts, corneal ulcers, glaucoma, dry eye, eyelash abnormalities, or infections require proper diagnosis and treatment.

A Holistic Approach

Tear stains are often a symptom rather than the problem itself. Instead of reaching for harsh whitening products, focus on supporting your dog’s overall health.

Simple lifestyle changes can often make a noticeable difference:

• Feed a balanced raw or gently cooked diet.
• Provide filtered drinking water.
• Support a healthy gut microbiome.
• Promote healthy skin with omega-3s.
• Keep the facial area clean and dry.
• Schedule regular grooming.
• Rule out medical eye conditions with your veterinarian if staining is persistent or accompanied by other symptoms.

Looking beyond the stains and addressing the underlying cause can help your dog feel better while naturally improving the appearance of their face.

Learn more about eye health in dogs and cats on our eye conditions  webpage.