Have you ever noticed your dog has dark stains under their eyes, almost like they’ve been crying reddish-brown tears? These are called tear stains, and are actually very common, particularly in small breed dogs with predominantly white hair.

Excessive tear production is often the reason behind tear staining, or epiphora. For some dogs, this is very normal and is actually part of their genetics. Bichon Frises, Toy Poodles, Maltese, Westies, Shih Tzus, and Lhasa Apsos are all prone to tear staining because of genetics.

Some dogs, however, have tear staining for other reasons. Possible reasons for the tear staining could be health issues, blocked tear-ducts, teething, ear infections, food allergies, environmental allergies, and more. If your pet has tear staining and you aren’t sure why, ask your veterinarian. He or she can help you rule out health conditions and get to the root of the problem.

Some things you can do to help reduce the tear stains include:

Ensure your pet’s food and water isn’t the cause.
Clean under their eyes and around their mouths daily (two or three times, if needed). You can use a special canine eye wash, or just a damp washcloth to keep the eyes clean. Keeping their face hair trimmed will also help reduce the tear staining.
Consider a food additive. Some people claim apple-cider vinegar, buttermilk powder, or yogurt can help reduce the stains. There are also products out there that can help reduce the staining. Please talk to your vet before adding something to your pet’s diet.

Tear staining is not uncommon, and can actually be considered normal. Talk with your veterinarian about ways to reduce tear staining in your pet, and to ensure that your pet is as healthy as can be!