Tear Stains In Pets

Does your pet have crusty deposits under their eyes that keep coming back? Tear stains are the bane of every pet owner with a white or light-colored cat or small dog. With a few easy changes, you can minimize those stubborn streaks.

Why Do Pets Get Tear Stains?
In most mammals, tears keep the surface of the eye moist and help wash away dust. Tears normally drain down the back of the throat.
Small dogs and cats, especially those with protruding eyes, have tear ducts that are shaped in a way that allow tears to run down their face, rather than down the back of their throat. The tears contain porphyrins, a waste product that naturally occurs as your pet’s body breaks down red blood cells and causes those rust-colored stains.
While the structure of your cat or dog’s eyes may make them more susceptible to stains, there are some changes you can make that can minimize the appearance of those dreaded red circles.

How To Prevent Tear Stains In Pets
If your cat or dog has long hair around their eyes, your groomer can trim it to help reduce the buildup of tears and resulting staining. Do not attempt this at home, using scissors to trim hair around the eye is best left to a professional.
You can, however, try giving your pet filtered water instead of water from your tap. While most tap water is perfectly safe for pets to drink, it can contain minerals that may build up in the tears. Regular bottled water, filtered water, or distilled water can help.
Excessive moisture under the eyes can harbor yeast and bacteria, which can contribute to discoloration. Angels’ Eyes Tear Stain Soft Chews contain natural ingredients that gently neutralize yeast and bacteria.
Make sure your pet always eats and drinks out of clean bowls. Plastic develops microscopic scratches that harbor bacteria, so it’s better to use ceramic or stainless steel and sanitize daily.

How To Clean Tear Stains
Stains can be difficult to remove, but you can reduce the appearance of stains and keep them from coming back when the hair grows out with daily cleaning.
Use saline or eye contact solution, applied to a cotton ball, to gently wipe away tear stains. Always use a fresh cotton ball for each eye.
You can also use Angels Eyes Tear Stain Wipes, which are specially formulated to break down stain-causing porphyrins.
If your pet’s eyes show signs of excessive tearing, redness, yellow or greenish discharge, itching, or discomfort, seek veterinary treatment.