Tear Stains in Dogs: Causes, Gentle Removal and When to See the Vet

Reddish-brown tear stains are common in light-coated dogs and cats. Learn what causes them, when they are a vet issue, a gentle daily cleaning routine and what never belongs near the eyes.

Japan Premium PetExpert Team

Find the cause, then keep the eye area clean and dry

Tear stains are reddish-brown marks below the inner corner of the eyes. They appear when tears spill onto the face instead of draining through the tear ducts, and porphyrins, iron-containing pigments in the tears, colour light fur. To remove tear stains in a dog, first have a vet rule out an eye problem, then keep the area clean and dry every day: wipe gently from the inner corner outwards with a soft, moist wipe, dry the fur and keep the hair around the eyes short. Stained hair usually improves slowly, so judge progress over several weeks. Sudden or one-sided tearing, red eyes or squinting are a job for the vet, not for a wipe.

Common causes and what they mean

Cause	Typical signs	What to do
Face and eyelid shape, for example flat faces	Constant mild wetness on both sides; common in Pugs, Shih Tzus and Persian cats	Daily cleaning and drying; ask the vet whether the eyelids need assessment
Hair or debris at the tear duct openings	Wet fur in the inner corner, stains on a light coat	Keep the hair short, ideally trimmed by a groomer, and clean daily
Blocked or narrow tear ducts	Tears overflowing on one or both sides, sometimes from a young age	Veterinary check; the vet can test drainage and flush the ducts if needed
Irritation, allergies or infection	Red eyes, thicker discharge, rubbing the face	See the vet before cleaning more often
Painful eye problems such as ulcers, abnormal lashes, rolled-in lids or glaucoma	Squinting, a closed or cloudy eye, sudden heavy tearing	Prompt veterinary appointment

A gentle daily routine in two minutes

Choose a calm moment, for example after a walk or before bed, and sit next to your dog rather than bending over it. Put a soft, moist fingertip wipe on your index finger and wipe the fur below the eye from the inner corner outwards and downwards, never across the eyeball. Use a fresh wipe or a clean side for the second eye, so you do not carry dirt from one eye to the other. Loosen dried crusts by holding the moist wipe against them for a few seconds instead of rubbing. Then dry the fur with a clean, soft tissue, because moisture left in the coat keeps the staining going. Reward your dog afterwards. Once or twice a day usually fits easily into the routine; if the fur is soaked again within minutes, the tearing itself needs a vet check.

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Trimming, drying and the rest of the face

Long hair in the inner corner of the eye can carry tears onto the face and block the small openings of the tear ducts, so keep it short. Ask a groomer to trim it, or have it done at the vet; do not use pointed scissors near the eye yourself, especially if your dog moves. Wet beards and muzzle fur can stain too, so wipe and dry the mouth area after meals and drinking. For the rest of a white or light coat, a mild shampoo made for pets keeps the fur clean and even-looking during the regular bath, but shampoo stays on the body, well away from the eyes. Check the skin under the stain: redness, an unpleasant smell or sore, moist skin point to irritation or infection that needs veterinary treatment.

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What not to use near the eyes

Many home remedies circulate online, and several are risky. Never use hydrogen peroxide near the eyes: splashes can cause severe damage. Contact lens solution does not belong near a dog’s eye either, and neither does any product that is not made for use around pets’ eyes. Be wary of tear-stain powders and supplements that contain antibiotics: veterinarians discourage low-dose antibiotics for cosmetic purposes because they can promote antibiotic resistance, and over-the-counter tear-stain products have not been proven effective in research trials. Whitening shampoos are for the coat only. If a stain does not improve with cleaning and drying, ask your vet about the cause instead of reaching for a stronger product.

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Signs that need a prompt vet visit

Book a veterinary appointment promptly if your dog or cat squints or keeps an eye closed, the eye looks red, cloudy or swollen, the discharge becomes thick, tearing starts suddenly or affects only one eye, or your pet keeps rubbing its face. These signs can point to painful conditions such as corneal ulcers, abnormal eyelashes or glaucoma, which no amount of cleaning can fix.

Tear-stain routine, step by step

Have the eyes checked by a vet, especially if the tearing is new or affects only one eye.
Clean the fur below each eye once or twice a day with a fresh, soft, moist wipe, from the inner corner outwards.
Dry the fur thoroughly with a clean tissue.
Keep the hair in the inner eye corner short, trimmed by a groomer or at the vet.
Wash the rest of a light coat with a mild pet shampoo during regular baths, keeping it away from the eyes.
Review progress after several weeks and go back to the vet if nothing changes.

Frequently asked questions

Are tear stains dangerous?

The colour itself is harmless, but constant moisture can irritate the skin and lead to infection, and overflowing tears can be a sign of an eye problem. That is why a vet check comes first.

Why do white dogs get tear stains more often?

The pigments in tears reach every coat, but the reddish-brown tone is simply much more visible on white or light fur. Maltese, Shih Tzus, Poodles and Cocker Spaniels are often affected, as are flat-faced cats such as Persians.

Can tear stains be removed completely?

They often fade a lot once the fur is kept clean and dry and the cause is managed. If the tearing is linked to the shape of the face or eyelids, stains may return and need ongoing care.

Are tear-stain supplements or powders a good idea?

Be cautious. Veterinarians discourage products with low-dose antibiotics, and over-the-counter tear-stain products have not been proven effective in research. Discuss any supplement with your vet first.

Does this routine also work for cats?

Yes, the same gentle routine suits light-coated and flat-faced cats. Cats with watery eyes, sneezing or discharge should see a vet, because conjunctivitis and other eye conditions can be behind the tearing.