Other Ways To Treat Tear Stains In Dogs Safely
We have covered how a proper diet can help with tear stains in dogs, but there are other alternatives and natural options that might mitigate your dogs tear stains.
Stain removal is another chapter in itself , but here is a quick list of some of the most popular products people report to have worked.
What Is The Best Dog Food To Prevent Tear Stains
Is there such a thing as the best dog food for tear stains? If so, what does it consist of?
A good rule of thumb is ensuring your dog eats a balanced, species-appropriate diet and fresh, filtered drinking water. This prevents your dog from eating excess iron or impurities that could contribute to tear staining.
Many dog food brands only meet the minimum nutrient requirements set by the AAFCO, but you want a dog food that goes above and beyond to surpass these standards.
The best dog food to prevent tear stains should improve your dogs overall health, digestion,andability to filter out toxins. You want Fido to eat as cleanand healthy as possible to avoid putting stress on your dogs liver. Creating a toxin-free environment in your dogs stomach may eliminate or keep tear stains away.
According to the American Kennel Club, a high-quality, grain-free diet works best to prevent these pesky stains in dogs. Avoid tap water, as it is high in mineral content or iron and other impurities, including chlorine and fluoride, which are toxic to dogs. Using a dog water dispenser with a filter to remove chlorine, sediments, and odor from your pets drinking water might be a good idea to further help with the tear-stain removal process.
Because tear stains often result from excess toxins caused by hard-to-digest diets from highly processed kibble ingredients, fresh dog food minimizes the amount of indigestible ingredients your dog will have to detoxify.
Why You Should Trust Our Reviews
- Dr. Erica Irish helped us formulate this list Using her knowledge of probiotics, Dr. Irish reviewed every product on our list. She chose a favorite and provided us with her likes and dislikes for each supplement.
- We ordered and paid for these products None of the products on our list were sponsored or gifted to us. Our team used our own resources to research and purchase these probiotics so that we could review them objectively.
- We sent them off with our product researcher to test in the field We sent each probiotic to our product review expert Sara Ondrako. She tried them with her dogs and did additional research with a veterinarian to provide her honest feedback.
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Buyers Guide: How To Choose The Best Dog Food For Maltese Tear Stains
For some owners, tear stains feel like part and parcel of owning a dog. This is especially true of dogs like the Bichon Frise and the Maltese: breeds that naturally have a light-colored coat. The tears themselves are a by-product that occurs when red blood cells are broken down. Typically, tears run into the nasolacrimal duct and into the nose, but in epiphora, this drainage doesnt occur or too many tears are formed and the excess liquid pours from the eyes and onto the area below the eyes.
What Causes Epiphora?
- There are several possible causes of epiphora, including a blockage of or malformation of the nasolacrimal duct or poor eyelid function. Health issues like conjunctivitis that lead to excess tear production may also cause the tell-tale tear staining. Even ingrown hairs and glaucoma could be a cause of the problem, and you should have your vet conduct a thorough examination to determine if there is an underlying cause.
- Diet can also play a part in excess tear formation and blockage of the duct. In particular, it might be caused by low-quality food that includes chemical additives, too much protein or fat in the dogs diet, or an allergy or intolerance of food ingredients.
Is Epiphora Painful?
Is It Dangerous?
Choosing the Best Dog Food for Tear Stains
Taking into account the various possible dietary causes of epiphora, there are several things to look for when buying dog food and looking to combat tear stains.
How to Clean Tear Stains
Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Probiotics For Dogs With Tear Stains
Now, when you do research prior to buying the best Probiotics For Dogs With Tear Stains, there are certain things you need to consider. Because these considerations come into play by ensuring that you do not end up with the wrong choice.
Finding the perfect Probiotics For Dogs With Tear Stains is not rocket science and doesnt require extensive research. Some important features which you should look out for are described below.
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No More Tearstear Stains That Is
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Tear stains in dogs are most often caused by tear over-production, but can also be caused by other factors such as allergies, environment, nutrition, and yeast infection. It is most visible in light-colored dogs. Tear staining is usually a controllable issue, but the underlying cause can lead to infection if neglected. As always, the best avenue to take is to consult your vet about what specific treatment would work best for your pet and go from there. The following information can help you brainstorm ways in which to treat tear stains with your dog in order to help your dog live a happy, healthy life.
Color Matters
The color of the stains can be an important indicator in the causation of this health issue. If the stains are rust or red in color, this is usually caused by numerous environmental issues such as allergies, diet, and stress. If the stain tends to be more brown in color, this can be an indicator of a yeast infection, which is also caused by diet, but is a little bit of a different issue. If your dogs face smells along with tear staining, this is a definitive sign that you should check with your vet about a yeast infection.
Prevention
Food Additives
Topical Treatment
Know When to Look Deeper
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Brewers Rice, Chicken Meal, Yellow Peas, Cracked Pearled Barley
Not to be outdone is Hills Science Diet, another renowned premium pet food company, with its Sensitive Stomach and Skin formula.
According to the Hills Science Diet website, this formula is supplemented with prebiotics to promote digestive health and nutrient absorption, with antioxidants for immune system support, and with healthy fats for radiant coat and healthy skin.
Real chicken is the first ingredient on the deck, with chicken liver flavor for the rich savory flavors that can entice even finicky dogs.
One thing to remember about fresh meats, however, is that they contain up to 80% moisture by volume when the product is cooked and much of that moisture is lost, the actual volume of protein could be much lower.
Yellow peas, brown rice, and dried beet pulp provide prebiotic fibers that are favorable for digestive health. This proud Hills Science Diet formula is also plentiful with vitamins and minerals, and omega-6 fatty acids for a healthy coat and skin.
This recipe also contains soybean oil and pork fat which help to balance the omega fatty acid content. The fresh fruits and vegetables used in this recipe add some supplementary fiber, but they are largely included as natural sources for key vitamins and minerals.
Also Check: Do You Need Both Prebiotics And Probiotics
Examine The Quality Of Your Food
It is generally agreed among Bichon Frise breeders that although there are numerous and passionate opinions about brands , a high-quality, grain-free diet works best for our breed. The corn, wheat, and meals that are used as fillers in inferior-quality foods just dont ensure long-term good health and can cause allergic reactions, resulting in excess tearing and other problems.
Probiotic Miracle: The #4 Selling Pet Probiotic Disappoints
Probiotic Miracle markets itself as the number one selling canine probiotic. Our research indicates it is more likely the number four selling product on the market and well behind Purina, Pet Ultimate, and VetriScience products. Consumers of this probiotic tout it for clearing up eye, skin, and yeast conditions in addition to joint inflammation issues. A majority of users gave this product high ratings, although a small percentage reported a reduction in gas but ineffectiveness for other symptoms. Given that a small percentage of users had poor or mixed reviews, we would give it a C+,” however, the money-back guarantee bumps this product up to a B-.”
Ingredients: 2 billion CFU per serving, six strains of bacteria: L. acidophilus, B. animalis, L. rhamnosus, L. salivarius, L. fermentum, L. reuteri. Also contains pre-biotics. 100% natural, vegetarian, no gluten, no dairy, no soy, no fillers, no flavorings.
Probiotic Miracle does offer a 100% money-back guarantee, with guaranteed results against diarrhea, loose stool, and yeast overgrowth. However, this product requires time to build up in the system and the guarantee expires 60 days from product shipment.
People with multiple dogs with gluten allergies and issues with loose stool and yeast-related problems may want to try this product before trying one of the more expensive ones. Keep an eye on the calendar if you want to take advantage of the money-back guarantee.
Read Also: Probiotics For Gerd Mayo Clinic
Can A Dog Have Too Much Probiotics
Simply put, dogs cannot overdose on probiotics as they do not contain directly troublesome ingredients. This is because ingesting higher amounts of probiotics is not directly harmful or toxic. However, too many good bacteria can upset the dogs digestive system and cause issues like diarrhea and excessive gassiness.
Worst-case scenario, dogs that eat too much probiotics will develop mils and transient digestive issues in the form of stomach upset diarrhea, vomiting, gassiness, and bloating.
What Causes Tear Stain In Dogs
Tear stains are caused by a pigmented molecule that a dogs body excretes as a waste product. This waste product is known as porphyrins, the waste product of red blood cells.1
Porphyrins contain iron, which has a dark reddish-brownish color and carries oxygenated blood. This explains the reddish color of tear stains.
This waste product is usually excreted through the digestive system, but it may also be expelled via urine, saliva, and tears when there is a buildup of porphyrin in the dogs system.
Internal or external factors can cause a buildup of porphyrins and drive the over-stimulation of excessive tear production, also known as Epiphora.2
According to Mercola Healthy Pets, the most common medical causes of tear staining in dogs include but are not limited to:
- Ingrown eyelashes
Beware, tear stains will intensify/darken in the presence of sunlight.
Tear stains develop when a dogs tears accumulate under the eyes, providing the perfect breeding ground for bacteria or yeast to grow.
Furthermore, the overproduction of tears causes chemical waste in their tears to soak into their fur, leading to tear stains. Constant watery discharge and moisture in the eye or other body parts can lead to this condition.
While tear staining in dogs is usually harmless, it can also be a symptom of a serious underlying health problem. Infections in the eye, such as glaucoma, conjunctivitis, ingrown eyelashes, and entropion, can cause tear staining.
Also Check: Is 90 Billion Probiotic Too Much
Dog Treats For Tear Stains
You got the right food to prevent tears stain, but it wont do any good if you keep feeding your pup unhealthy treats.
The are several options to choose from, but our favorite all-natural treat is Full Moons Kitchen-Crafted Natural Dog Treats. They are made using human-grade limited ingredients that meet strict USDA standards for human consumption. These tasty treats are free of grains, glycerin, or artificial preservatives and flavors.
A more practical option is to get tear-stains-specific treats. Treats like PetPosts Tear Stain Remover Soft Chews or NaturVet Tear Stain Soft Chews have the necessary ingredients to effectively combat the root of tear stains and provide additional immune support to prevent them from coming back. They are packed with the highest quality extracts from Eyebright Herb, Lutein, Oregon Grape Root, Marshmallow Root, and Cranberry. Its advised only to feed your pet until the stains resolve, then switch to a more natural option.
Halo Holistic Wild Salmon & Whitefish Recipe: Small Breed
Top 5 Ingredients: 1.Salmon, 2.Whitesh, 3.Dried Egg Product, 4.Dried Peas, 5.Dried Chickpeas
If youre looking for dog food for small breeds, consider Halo Holistic all-natural recipe. This recipe contains whole foods and produces for optimal skin health. Its bioavailable ingredients are easy to absorb and good for immune health.
This holistic approach to food may also help prevent tear stains, and the fatty acids in the recipes ingredients will make your dogs coat shine. The formula is free of by-products, artificial additives, and factory-farmed ingredients. Its one of the best sustainable options to maintain your dogs health.
Also Check: Best Probiotic For Anxiety And Depression
Cause And Treatment Of Tear Stains
- Tags
danielamv7 said:I have a beautiful Maltese. He has had tear stains ever since I went to pick him up at 2 months old. I decided to give him a chance because he was probably teething and stuff. Now he is almost 10 months old and his tear stains are out of control. I have tried everything: Spa tear stain cleaner, eye envy, contact solution, cleaning the eyes everyday for months, artero pretty eyes, even hydrogen peroxide , I also changed his food, cut the chicken, gave him hypoallergenic royal canid food, metal and ceramic bowls, I’ve done everything.His tear stains used not to smell but now they do, that area is always wet, he’s continuously tearing.I wonder if he was initially tearing because of teething and now he has some sort of infection?I really wanted to try and find the reason by myself before getting him to an ophthalmologist, they’re quite expensive in my area and it’s something cosmetic.What do you guys think?this was him at 4 months old
How Can You Prevent Dog Tear Stains
Prevention is better than cure! Here are our top tips for preventing your pooch from getting tear stains:
- General health checks. Get any infections promptly treated and take your dog for regular check-ups.
- Diet. A high-quality diet reduces porphyrin production so transition your dog to nutritionally rich and balanced dog food.
- Water. Tap water is better than puddles which could introduce bacteria to the face. If you have a high mineral content in your water consider giving your dog bottled water as minerals can make staining worse.
- Facial grooming. Regular appointments at the groomers to keep hair clipped around the face and eyes.
- Facial hygiene. Clean the area around the eyes every day with an appropriate cleaner.
- Replace plastic food bowls. The tiny scratches in plastic food bowls can harbor bacteria that make staining worse. Replace them with porcelain or stainless steel.
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Sharon Parry
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Why Are Probiotics Important For Your Dog’s Health
Lets face it. Dogs eat all kinds of nasty things when we aren’t looking. In fact, gastrointestinal disorders are the second most common health issue for dogs after skin conditions according to Pet WebMD. When Fido is having emergency gastrointestinal issues , a good dose of dog-approved probiotics can quickly correct loose stool and diarrhea.
Whether your dog suffers from ongoing food allergies or gas and the occasional upset stomach, probiotics are a natural and healthy way to replenish good gut flora in the digestive system. The health of the gut is recognized as an important component of the overall health of the immune system, and probiotics work by introducing beneficial bacterial strains into the intestinal tract. Good gut health allows the intestines to remove toxins from the body, and specific bacteria aid in the absorption of beneficial nutrients.
Owner reviews also demonstrate that probiotics can alleviate many canine skin disorders. As the market for canine supplements is burgeoning, we took a look at some of the top-rated probiotics for dogs on the market as well as some natural remedies for diarrhea we ranked them according to efficacy, palatability and expense.
How To Pick The Best Probiotic For Your Pup
There are a few things to pay attention to when choosing a probiotic for your pup. Every dog is different, so its important to keep your dogs unique needs in mind. In addition, some of the following tips can help:
Recommended Reading: Probiotics Are Which Of The Following
Dont Forget About Treats
Some people avoid unhealthy ingredients in their dogs food but offer plenty of processed treats. If you want to prevent tear stains in dogs, make sure you choose organic treats.
Youll find many options on the market, but we recommend Full Moons Kitchen-Crafted Natural Dog Treats. These limited-ingredient treats are free of glycerin, artificial preservatives, and flavors. They come in chicken or beef options so that you can choose your pets favorite protein.
Another great option is PetPosts Tear Stain Remover Soft Chews. These chews contain supplements to combat tear stains.
