Hello all,

With the increase in pollen count in the last few weeks, I have had a quite a few questions recently regarding tear staining and instead of answering one question, I thought it was best to write a general post on how best to prevent it in the first place but also have to clean up the mess once it starts.

There are several things that cause the tear staining including allergies, a yeast infection, a high mineral count in their food or drinking water, and too much dye in their food. Only your vet can accurately diagnosis what is the causing of the problem so book an appointment as soon as possible.

In the mean time, filter your pet’s water before serving and throw out any food or treats that contain any coloring. Filtered water is generally lower in minerals then tap water and should reduce some of the tear staining. Do not switch to distilled water however as some minerals are necessary for normal body function and distilled water has been associated with wasting and bone density loss in dogs.

Dye is put in food and treats to make them look more appealing to us, not the dog – they couldn’t care less how their food looks as they are all about the smell and taste of their meal! Why feed them chemicals if it is not really necessary? Natural and organic foods do not usually contain these chemicals and always make a better choice for your pooch.

Allergies are a tough one. Usually tear staining is caused by environmental allergens, not food allergies but again, there are always exceptions to the rule. Contact your vet and request a referral to a veterinary dermatologist in order to ascertain the best plan of attack on this front!

Yeast loves to live in the wetness around your dog’s eyes and often is the reason for the dark staining. Keep the fur around your dog’s eyes as dry as possible so the environment becomes as inhospitable as possible for the nasty little bacteria. I have had great success with using a natural eye cleaner in the Sexy Eyes Pack. The first step are eye pads that help to clean and dry the area around the eyes while an herbal anti-bacterial agent prevents bacteria and yeast from making a home. The second step is strengthening your pet’s immune system to fight the bacteria all on its own. This is a long-term fix and easy to add to their food each day. Over time you will see the difference a healthy immune system provides and in more ways then just clean eyes – you should see a more contented, healthier pet that absolutely glows in their happiness and well being.

Have a suggestion to combat tear staining? Leave a comment please! This is such a common problem, let’s really try to give some relief to dogs suffering from this stinky, uncomfortable problem!

Ann