What Causes Tear Stains in Dogs? (And How to Remove Dog Tear Stains Naturally)

If you’ve ever owned a light-colored dog—especially a Maltese, Shih Tzu, Poodle, Bichon, Frenchie, or Yorkie—you’ve probably had a moment where you looked at their sweet face and thought:“Why are your eyes so… rusty?” Dog tear stains are one of the most common cosmetic issues dog parents deal with, yet oddly enough, they’re also one of the least understood. Most people scrub, trim, wipe, or even cut out the stained fur—only to watch it return in days. And then the cycle repeats. The truth is that tear stains aren’t just a “dirty fur problem.” They’re a symptom of something going on inside or around your dog’s eyes. Once you understand what causes them, it becomes much easier to fix them—and even better, prevent them. Let’s walk through what’s really happening, why dog tear stains appear, and how to remove them naturally (without harsh chemicals or antibiotics). Think of this as your friendly, science-backed guide to finally getting that clean, bright, happy puppy face back. Understanding Why Tear Stains Happen To understand dog tear stains, you first need to know what those rusty colors are made of. Dogs produce a compound called porphyrin, a natural molecule found in tears and saliva. Porphyrin contains iron, and just like metal left outside, it oxidizes when exposed to oxygen. That reddish-brown color under your dog’s eyes? That’s oxidation. So the real question becomes: why are there so many tears sitting on your dog’s face? Some dogs simply produce more tears. Some dogs have tear ducts that don’t drain properly. Some dogs are irritated, allergic, stressed, teething, or dealing with a mild infection. And some dogs have facial shapes that practically guarantee leaky eyes—like flat-faced breeds or dogs with long eyelashes that constantly tickle their eyes. Most owners spend all their effort trying to “whiten” the stains, but whitening isn’t the solution. Tears will continue to fall. And the staining will continue to return. The real fix is understanding why the tears are there in the first place and using a gentle routine that prevents the area from staying constantly wet. So What Actually Causes Tear Stains? Many people assume tear stains come from “dirty eyes,” but the causes are usually internal or structural. In fact, most dogs with tear stains have perfectly healthy eyes—the tears just aren’t draining normally. Some dogs naturally overproduce tears due to allergies, irritation, or something as simple as wind exposure. Others have blocked or narrow tear ducts that simply don’t funnel tears into the nose as they should. When the tears can’t drain internally, they overflow onto the fur. Allergies are another major culprit. Dogs can be sensitive to chicken, grains, pollen, dust, perfumes, scented cleaning spray, you name it. When the eyes become irritated, the body responds by producing more tears—just like when humans have seasonal allergies. Puppies often get tear stains while teething because of the pressure changes in their developing skulls. Fortunately, this usually improves as they grow. Diet is also a quiet but surprisingly important factor. Many dogs develop more staining when eating food with unnecessary fillers, dyes, or poultry proteins they don’t tolerate well. And something as simple as switching from tap water to filtered water can significantly reduce staining for some dogs—yes, really. And of course, there’s yeast. When the fur under the eye stays constantly damp, it creates a warm little environment perfect for yeast growth. This leads to darker stains, a stronger smell, and sticky fur. Finally, although less common, medical factors like infections, blocked ducts, or eyelash abnormalities can contribute. If your dog has sudden tearing, swelling, or colored discharge, a quick vet check is always a good idea. Why Tear Stains Keep Coming Back A common frustration is:“I cleaned it yesterday, and today it looks the same again.” This happens because cleaning removes the stain but not the cause. Tears continue to fall. Porphyrins continue to oxidize. The area stays wet. Yeast loves moisture. And within days, the stain returns like nothing happened. That’s why the most successful tear stain routines focus on: reducing irritation keeping the area dry preventing yeast buildup supporting diet and hydration using a natural dog tear stain remover regularly, not just occasionally Cleaning alone only addresses the surface. Consistency addresses the root. How to Remove Dog Tear Stains Naturally (What Actually Works) The good news is that most dog tear stains can be improved—and dramatically—using a simple, natural routine. You don’t need harsh chemicals, bleaching agents, or antibiotic powders (many of which are unsafe or banned in several countries). The heart of a natural routine is three things: clean, dry, protect. Let’s walk through how that looks in real life. 1. Clean the Area Gently (Daily or Twice Daily) Use warm water, saline solution, or natural pet eye wipes. Avoid baby wipes and anything containing alcohol or whitening agents. The goal isn’t to scrub away the stain—it’s to keep the area fresh so yeast doesn’t have a chance to grow. Gentle and consistent works far better than aggressive once-a-week scrubbing. 2. Dry the Fur Completely This is the step most owners skip, and it’s one of the most important ones. Moisture is what creates dark staining and smelly buildup. A soft microfiber towel or cotton pad works perfectly. Just dab and lift—don’t rub. 3. Use a Natural Tear Stain Remover for Dogs This is where real progress happens. A balm-based dog tear stain remover works especially well because it: creates a barrier that prevents tears from soaking into the fur moisturizes and soothes irritation prevents yeast from forming keeps the area dry for longer is safe if your dog licks it Look for ingredients like: coconut oil shea butter beeswax chamomile or calendula extract vitamin E These ingredients nourish the skin, reduce redness, and help break the cycle of constant moisture. Using a tear stain remover for dogs once or twice daily builds a protective layer that keeps stains from coming back. 4. Adjust Diet and Water Dogs with persistent staining often improve dramatically when switching to: limited-ingredient diets grain-free formulas single protein foods filtered water instead of tap Tap water minerals can worsen staining in sensitive dogs, and diet-related inflammation often shows first through the eyes. 5. Keep Facial Hair Trimmed Long hair holds tears like a sponge. Keeping the hair short around the eyes prevents moisture buildup and keeps the skin healthy. Groomers can help if trimming near the eyes makes you nervous. 6. Be Consistent for 2–6 Weeks Most natural routines take: 3–5 days for early improvement 2–3 weeks for noticeable fading 4–6 weeks for older, deep stains Think of it like skincare. It works, but the magic is in the consistency. When Tear Stains Are a Red Flag While most tear stains are cosmetic, you should contact your vet if you notice: sudden excessive tearing yellow or green discharge swelling redness sensitivity to light pawing at the eyes These symptoms can indicate an infection or injury. Final Thoughts: Tear Stains Are Manageable—Naturally The struggle with dog tear stains can be frustrating, but once you understand the why behind them, the solutions become much clearer. Your dog isn’t “dirty,” and you don’t need to resort to bleaching agents or unsafe powders. A natural, gentle routine focusing on keeping the eyes clean, the fur dry, and the skin protected is enough for most dogs. A good dog tear stain remover—especially a natural balm—can make an enormous difference when used consistently. Combine that with small lifestyle tweaks like filtered water, better food, and regular grooming, and you’ll start to see that bright, clean little face again. Tear stains take patience, but they are fixable. And your dog will feel more comfortable, too—not just look better.