The reddish/brownish marks on the inside corner just below the eyes of our dogs we all know as tear stains. You see them most often on light-colored fur, which makes the tear stains more visible. As the name "tear stains" suggests, they are caused by an overflow of tears that react with normal bacteria found on the skin which produces the darkened color. A common culprit that produces the esthetically unpleasing tear stain is an organism known as Ptyrosporin or Red Yeast.

Genetics, Health, Allergies, Water, Diet, Fleas, Bacterial and Ear Infections

Low-grade bacterial infections in the tear ducts can be the cause of excess tearing and staining along with other possibilities related to genetics, health, allergies, diet, fleas, and even ear infections.

In small dogs, it isn’t altogether rare that the lower tear ducts are closed off. A surgical procedure to have them opened could possibly be needed.

Veterinary consultation is appropriate in determining the source of a dog tear staining problem. Have your vet give the dog a complete exam to rule out any serious eye conditions before trying anything.

Hair Falling Into the Eyes Causes Irritation and Infection

Pay special attention to make sure the hair around your dog’s face is not falling into its eyes, which can cause irritation and infection. Equal attention should be paid to be sure soap does not become an irritation when bathing.

Water

Water in many areas has high mineral levels. On light-colored fur this can be evidenced by an entire beard and face being stained. Purified or bottled water can help to remedy this.

Diet

Diet is another area that plays a role in tear staining. Not only for tear stains but for the health of your dog, you should be feeding a natural diet with no additives, preservatives or food coloring.

Fleas, Ear Mites and Infection

Fleas can also be a source of tear stains. Fleas require moisture to survive and the tears are a perfect source of that moisture. This can cause irritation along with staining from the flea dirt which is flea feces consisting of digested blood. Along with the fleas comes the associated problem of ear mites that are carried by the fleas. Ear mites can cause painful ear infections, besides the tears stains, and should be addressed immediately by your veterinarian.

Caution Suggests You Refrain From Using Home Formulas

Dog tear stain home remedies do exist, using mixtures of milk of magnesia, corn starch, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, boric acid and lemon juice. However, harsh ingredients can irritate and make tearing worse. A dog tear stain remover should be free of alcohol or bleach. If such ingredients aren’t mixed properly, using precisely the right strength, and applied safely, you could potentially harm your dog.

No solution should be allowed to wick through the facial hair or splash into the pet's eye, or into the eye area. For this reason, caution suggests you look to over-the-counter products, and refrain from using these home formulas.

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