How to Eliminate Tear Stains on Cats and Dogs

Co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

Last Updated: February 25, 2023 Approved

Tear stains are a common occurrence in many dogs and cats. They are characterized by crusty, dark reddish-brown discoloration around a pet's eyes, muzzle, and even paws. Tear stains are difficult to eradicate and frustrating to pet owners because of the negative cosmetic consequences. Tear stains can also cause skin irritation, discomfort for your pet, and even a pungent odor. You can eliminate existing tear stains by wiping away the stains with water or products designed to remove tear stains. You can prevent new stains by making changes to your pet's lifestyle, such as changing feeding habits. For safety reasons, make sure all products you use are approved by the FDA.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Lessening Existing Tear Stains

1
Wipe your animal's face with a damp cloth. If you see tear drops or dripping eyes, simply wipe them away with a damp cloth and tap water. When caught early enough, small tear stains can be treated easily.^{[1]
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- Get a cloth damp and then gently wipe the fur around your pet's eyes. There is no need to add soap, especially if the tear drops are very fresh.
- Be very gentle, however, when cleaning around your pet's eyes. You do not want to get water or the edges of the cloth in their eyes, as this can cause irritation.
2
Consult your vet regarding a tear stain remover. Tear stain removers can be used to address set-in tear stains. While these are not necessarily a medical concern, they can be unsightly. In some cases, crusty stains can cause eye irritation for dogs and cats. You should always talk to your vet about a safe tear stain remover for your pet before purchasing a product at a pet store or online.^{[2]
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- Herbal or natural products may be safer on your cat or dog than harsher commercial products. However, labels can sometimes be misleading and a "natural" product may contain a lot of synthetic chemicals. This is why consulting a vet is important.
- You likely will not need a prescription for a tear stain remover. However, your vet should be able to give you a recommendation for a commercial product to purchase. Your vet's office may even have the product in stock for you.
- Over-the-counter products are not safe on all dogs. Small dogs especially may be adversely affected by over-the-counter products sold to eliminate tear stains.
- Go over instructions for use carefully with your vet, especially if your pet has an underlying health issue that could affect how the product is applied.
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3
Compare recommended stain removers. Make sure to read reviews of any products you look at that promise to remove tear stains. You can read reviews online. You can also type the names of various products into a search engine. Some products are not FDA approved and have a bad reputation for causing eye irritation and other health problems in cats and dogs.
- For safest results, only browse and compare products recommended by your vet.
4
Talk to your vet about antibiotics. In dogs, tear stains can sometimes be caused by the excessive production of molecules called porphyrins. This may be correctable via antibiotics. If your dog is prone to excessive tear stains, talk to your vet about whether antibiotics could help. Do not choose a product without veterinary supervision.^{[3]
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- Many antibiotics are only available as prescriptions from your veterinarian. Your vet cannot legally prescribe an antibiotic without first examining your pet.
- Keep in mind antibiotics have not been strongly linked to reducing tear stains in dogs, but some people have had success with products known as doxycycline, metronidazole and enrofloxacin.
- If your vet suggests one of these products, use it only as your vet instructs. With luck, it will clear up tear stains on your dog. However, you may have to resort to other methods if antibiotics are not successful.
5
Ask a groomer or vet to remove the stains. If the stains are very bad and crusty, you can see if you can have them removed at the vet's office. Your vet may have technical staff on their team who are able to remove tear stains. You can also take your dog or cat to a groomer to ask about removing tear stains.
- In addition to removing already existing stains, ask the groomer or vet tech to trim the hair around your pet’s eyes where tear stains and eye crusts tend to accumulate.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Preventing New Tear Stains

1
Switch your food bowls. Plastic food bowls can cause eye irritation due to tiny cracks that build up bacteria. If you use plastic bowls, try switching them out for glass, stainless steel, or porcelain bowls. This small tweak may lead to fewer tear stains in your dog or cat.^{[4]
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2
Use bottled water. The high mineral content in some tap water can cause irritation in cats and dogs, leading to tear stains. If your pet is prone to tear stains, try switching from tap water to bottled water. This may make a difference in the appearance of tear stains.^{[5]
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- If you have a filtration system such as a Brita filter, try using that instead.
3
Have longhaired dogs trimmed regularly. Longhaired dogs are particularly prone to tear stains as their fur irritates their eyes. Long hairs around the face can easily brush against the eyes, leading to tearing and irritation. Regular trimming can help combat this problem, so make regular appointments with your groomer.
- Unless you have specialized training in pet grooming, it is not advisable to attempt to trim your dog's face yourself. When trimming near a dog's eyes, it's very easy to accidentally clip into your dog's face or eyes. Always consult a professional.
4
Talk to your vet about high quality food. While there is no clear link, a high quality diet can prevent health problems overall. If other means have not helped with tear stains, have a talk with your vet about your animal's current diet. They may recommend switching food types (i.e., switching from wet food to dry food) or trying a more nutritious brand of cat or dog food.^{[6]
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- Switches in food type should usually be made gradually to avoid stomach irritation. Talk to a vet about how to slowly introduce new foods to your pets to prevent indigestion.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Keeping Your Pets Safe

1
Make sure your pet doesn't have an underlying condition. Tear stains are often benign and more of a cosmetic problem than anything serious. However, excessive tear stains can point to a number of underlying medical conditions. If tear stains seem to be excessive, make an appointment with your vet for an examination.^{[7]
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- In cats, eye conditions, tear duct blockages, allergies, and bacterial infections can all cause tear stains.
- In dogs, eye infection, ingrown eyelashes, abnormally small tear ducts, and ear infections can all cause tear stains.
2
Avoid certain products. Some tear stain removing products are not FDA approved and can potentially cause problems. This is why it's so important to talk over tear stain removers with a vet. Avoid the following, for instance:
- Angels’ Eyes
- Angels’ Glow
- Pets’ Spark
- Groom
- Health Glow
3
Be very careful when cleaning near a pet's eye. It's a good idea to have someone restrain your pet while you clean near its eyes, especially when applying tear stain removers. These are made for external use only and you do not want to get the product in your pet's eyes. Go as slowly as possible and keep the applicator far away from your pet's eyes.^{[8]
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- If you get product in your pet's eyes, call your vet or the number on the tear stain container for guidance.
4
Do not use unverified methods. There are many tear stain removal methods on the market that are unverified. People often anecdotally claim household products, like herbal products or makeup remover, work on tear stains. There are often herbal and natural supplements sold that allegedly help with tear stains. However, these methods have not been proven effective and may actually be harmful.^{[9]
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