Tear stains in the dog: causes and remedies

Eye tearing in the dog, especially if abnormal and excessive, is something it is good to pay attention to, because it may be the symptom of an ongoing disorder.

We are talking about the so-called “rust tears”, that is, brown-reddish secretions that leave unsightly dark stains under the eyes, visible especially on the little darlings with a light coat.

This condition is called Epiphora and today we will see together what it is, what the causes can be, why nutrition plays an important role and also what the natural remedies are for excessive tearing of the dog’s eyes. Enjoy your reading!

Excessive tearing in the dog or Epiphora

Epiphora is, therefore, the excessive tearing of the eyes in the dog, which takes on a brown-reddish color because small particles of natural waste based on iron settle in the saline solution of which tears are composed.

When iron meets salts and a wet and humid solution, rust is in fact formed, with the typical brown-reddish color, and here is explained why the dog’s excessive tearing is also known by the name of “rust tears”.

Is Epiphora in the dog a disease? The answer is no, rather it is a symptom that communicates an anomaly in the dog’s well-being.

In fact, it is not only an aesthetic problem, but rather a symptom that can indicate eye disorders or other systemic issues.

If we notice excessive tearing of the eyes in the little furry one, it is therefore necessary to identify the cause. Let’s see what the most common ones can be.

Causes of eye tearing in the dog

We can divide the causes of eye tearing in the dog into two main categories: ocular and systemic.

Let’s remember that, as happens with the human body, also in little furry ones there can be manifestations that involve some parts of the body but that depend on issues present in completely different areas.

It is therefore necessary to “investigate” what the causes of eye tearing in the dog can be with attention and care.

Ocular causes of excessive tearing in dogs

In this macro category we find a series of causes that are strictly linked to the eyes and, in general, to the visual system. They include:

• Conjunctivitis: yes, even little darlings can have conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the transparent membrane that covers the front part of the eye and the inner membrane. Conjunctivitis often has a bacterial, fungal or viral origin, but it can also arise because foreign bodies enter the dog’s eye and irritate it.
• Obstruction of the tear ducts: tears come out from specific small channels called ducts and, when they become obstructed, tears no longer drain correctly and overflow from the eyes.
• Presence of ocular foreign bodies: in this case foreign bodies (among the most common the foxtails, the terminal spikes of some varieties of grasses) accidentally penetrate the little darling’s eye and this causes an infection, accompanied by abnormal and excessive tearing.
• Lesions in the eye area: it can happen that the little furry one scratches or injures himself in the eye area (eyelids, conjunctiva or even cornea) and this creates a lesion, with inflammation and subsequent excess tearing.
• Ectopic eyelashes: in this case we talk about aberrant eyelashes, that is, eyelashes that instead of curving outward do so inward. Consequently, this creates constant irritation for the little darling, which is accompanied by abundant and abnormal tearing.
• Uveitis: the uvea is the part of the eye that produces fluids and it can become inflamed, giving rise to uveitis, which manifests with redness, pain, sensitivity to light and excessive tearing.

These are the most common causes of excessive tearing of the dog’s eyes.

There are others, fortunately less common, such as glaucoma, that is, the increase in intraocular pressure that can damage the optic nerve and, in the most serious cases or if not treated correctly, can cause blindness.

Among the causes of eye tearing in the dog there is also Entropion-Ectropion.

Entropion is an abnormal position of the eyelid margin, which rolls inward, while Ectropion occurs when the eyelid (usually the lower one) turns outward and thus leaves very delicate areas such as the conjunctiva and the cornea exposed.

This unfortunately facilitates the entry of pathogens and also exposes the dog to trauma.

As seen, the ocular causes of excessive tearing are many, sometimes interconnected, therefore it is necessary to always turn to your trusted veterinarian to understand them, look deeper and proceed with the most appropriate treatments.

Systemic causes of eye tearing in the dog

Now let’s see what the extra-ocular causes of eye tearing in the dog can be, which are called systemic:

• Environmental allergies: as happens to us humans, little furry ones can also suffer from allergy, triggered by certain pollens they come into contact with. The symptoms are itching, redness and also abnormal and excessive tearing.
• Age: eye tearing in the elderly dog can be frequent and the causes very different from each other, among which it is good to mention a greater general sensitivity of the little darling, which can lead to infections and inflammations unfortunately more frequent.
• Food allergies or intolerances: the dog can be allergic to some foods and among the symptoms there can be constant tearing, redness of the eye area and also conjunctivitis.
• Intestinal imbalances: if the microbiota, the ecosystem of bacteria that is found in the dog’s body, is in imbalance, this can manifest with intestinal problems. The symptoms can be: vomiting, diarrhea (or conversely constipation), loss of appetite, weight loss and… eye tearing.
• Poor oral hygiene: the dog’s dental hygiene is fundamental for his health, we know it, and poor hygiene can lead to problems such as tooth loss which, if not treated as they should be, can give complications. In one clinical case, a dog developed Epiphora due to an unerupted tooth that caused an inflammation and an obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct.

Which dog breeds are more predisposed to excessive tearing?

Some dog breeds are more predisposed to Epiphora for reasons that we can define as genetic, because they are related to the conformation of eyes, muzzle and tear system.

In detail, these are:

• Breeds with a short and flat muzzle, where the nasolacrimal canals are shorter and this complicates the flow of tears: Shih Tzu, Pekingese, French Bulldog, English Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier, Chihuahua and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
• Breeds of dogs with protruding eyes, which tend to dry out more quickly and also to produce more abundant tearing to defend themselves from external agents such as wind or dust: Maltese, Toy Poodle and Bichon Frisé.
• Breeds with long hair around the eyes, which can irritate the ocular surface, as well as act as a deposit of microbes, fungi and bacteria: Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu and Bolognese.
• Breeds with narrower tear ducts: some breeds are subject to partial or total obstructions of the nasolacrimal duct: Cocker Spaniel, Poodle and more rarely Golden Retriever.

 

Dog eye tearing: natural remedies

If the dog’s eye tears and discharges continuously and the issue does not pass in a short time, a veterinary consultation always remains fundamental to correctly diagnose the cause and determine the appropriate treatment.

If instead we notice that the excessive tearing is mild and sporadic, you can try natural remedies for eye tearing in the dog, such as for example cleaning the eye area with a cotton pad (better to avoid cotton balls because they can lose threads) soaked in an infusion based on water and decongestant plants such as Chamomile, Mallow or Witch Hazel.

Alternatively, a practical and natural solution consists in making a small compress of Shampoo for Light Coats on the area, naturally being careful that the product does not get into the eyes. Then leave it on for a few minutes and then massage and rinse abundantly with water. Then move on to daily cleaning by using a lotion for cleaning the eye contour, also in the form of soaked wipes, based on targeted botanical extracts, which cleans, purifies and softens the area to be treated.

Relationship between dog eye tearing and nutrition

We dedicate a separate paragraph to the relationship between eye tearing in the dog and nutrition.

This point is a bit controversial, but several studies have focused on the role of grains in the dog’s diet, sugars and a diet too rich in iron, evaluating their negative impact, as a cause of swelling, accumulation of toxins and consequent excessive tearing.

In addition, some foods can more easily trigger sensitivities or allergies, such as for example colorants or additives. This leads to digestive difficulties, inflammations and, consequently, to symptoms such as Epiphora.

For this reason it is always recommended to ask the support of the veterinary nutritionist to choose a high-quality diet, with hypoallergenic or grain-free foods and natural ingredients.

How to remove tear stains under the dog’s eyes?

Today we have seen that red tearing in the dog, that is, the so-called “rust tears”, takes on the brown-reddish color because small particles of natural waste based on iron settle in the saline solution of which tears are composed.

How to remove tear stains in the dog?

A premise: the unsightly dark stains present for a long time cannot be eliminated, that is, there are no products that can eliminate them in a total and definitive way.

Of course, there are specific products with which you can certainly prevent and protect the part of the eye contour, so that particles of dirt, smog, etc. do not stick and, indeed, it is fundamental to do so.

These are, as seen, the compress of Whitening Shampoo for Light Coats left on and rinsed with care, specific lotions and convenient wipes soaked in lotion, which must be applied on the affected area.

Lotion and wipes, in fact, deserve to be used not only in the case of “rust tears”, but also as a daily cleaning tool to keep the little darling’s eye area nice and clean and protected.

Dog eye cleaning lotion: how to apply it

The Yuup! Eye Contour Cleaning Lotion is ideal for removing ocular secretions.

It has a decongestant, soothing, calming and refreshing action.

Using it is simple, because it is applied in two simple steps:

• wet a cotton pad with a small amount of product;
• gently cleanse the eye contour until completely removing the material to be removed.

The lotion must be used every day to keep the eye area clean and protected, since the formulation is based on targeted ingredients such as:

• Green Tea, with decongestant action
• Lotus Flower, with softening action
• Panthenol, moisturizing
• Euphrasia distilled water, which soothes, calms and refreshes

In addition, the lotion is enriched with proteins extracted from Moringa Seeds, which limit the adhesion of pollution and smog particles on the coat.

Thus the protection lasts a long time and the eye also has time to feel better if affected by issues.

Eye cleaning wipes for the dog: how to use them

The Yuup! Eye Contour Wipes are very practical single-dose wipes in 100% cotton ready to use soaked with the Eye Contour Lotion, therefore they carry out the same action, with the convenience of a format that you can take anywhere and use when needed, both as a treatment and as a daily cleaning and protection routine.

Directions for use:

• Open the sachet.
• Take out a wipe and gently clean the area around one eye.
• Use the second wipe for the other eye, to guarantee hygiene and safety.

The wipes are also ideal away from home, when traveling or during walks, to keep the eye area always clean, fresh and protected.

 

Today we have seen what the causes of tearing in the dog are and also the remedies to help the little furry one feel better.

Among the different causes we also remember poor oral hygiene, therefore, to discover all the secrets for impeccable dental hygiene for your dog, read our in-depth article on how to brush the dog’s teeth at home with spray toothpaste!