Natural Removal of Tear Stains

Tear stains are common on light-colored dogs.
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Light-colored or white dogs will often have brownish discoloration around their eyes that results from a harmless reaction when tears collect on the skin and fur. Routine grooming and a few changes to a dog's environment can help to eliminate these stains naturally, without introducing antibiotics or other chemical solutions.

Grooming

The first step to prevent and eliminate tear stains is to make sure that there is no excess fur around your dog's eyes. Regular trips to the groomer to keep fur trimmed can help to reduce tear staining. Another effective grooming solution is to wipe your dog's face twice a day with a washcloth dampened with water. If you maintain this grooming routine, your dog's face should remain stain-free. If staining persists, see a veterinarian to eliminate other possible causes.

Environmental Changes

Changes to your dog's environment, particularly his water bowl, can help to minimize the reaction of tears to fur. Replace your dog's plastic water bowl with stainless steel, glass or porcelain, as plastic bowls can retain bacteria. If your tap water has a high mineral content or contains iron, consider replacing it with bottled or filtered water to reduce the amount of potentially staining minerals your dog consumes.