Those reddish-brown streaks running down from the inner corners of your dog's eyes are called tear stains, and they're one of the most common things owners of light-coated dogs ask me about. The short answer: tear stains happen when tears sit on the fur and the pigment in them oxidises, leaving a rusty mark. Most are a cosmetic nuisance rather than a health worry, but because excess tearing can sometimes signal an eye problem, it's worth understanding the difference and knowing when to involve your vet.
Here's what's going on, why some dogs get them worse, and how to keep the area clean and comfortable.
What actually causes tear stains
Tears normally drain away through tiny ducts at the inner corner of the eye. When more tears are produced than can drain, or the drainage doesn't work well, the tears spill onto the fur and stay damp. The reddish-brown colour comes largely from a pigment called porphyrin, found in tears, which darkens on contact with air and light. A permanently damp face can also grow yeast, which adds a browner tinge and sometimes a smell.
Things that increase tearing or staining include:
- Face and eye shape: shallow eye sockets and prominent eyes let tears overflow more easily
- Blocked or narrow tear ducts: sometimes present from birth
- Irritation: dust, allergies, hair rubbing on the eye, or an eyelash growing the wrong way
- Teething: puppies often tear-stain more while teething
- Coat colour: the stains simply show up far more on white and pale coats
Breeds that tend to get them
Tear stains are most obvious on light-coated and flat-faced dogs. Breeds that commonly show them include:
- Maltese, Bichon Frise and Shih Tzu
- Poodles and Poodle crosses (Cavapoos, Cockapoos, Maltipoos)
- Pugs, French Bulldogs and other flat-faced breeds
- West Highland White Terriers and other white coats
For flat-faced breeds especially, the shape of the face means tears overflow more readily, so the staining is partly just anatomy. The Royal Kennel Club has useful breed information if you're curious about what's typical for your dog.
Gentle, everyday management
You can keep tear stains under control at home with a soft, consistent routine. The aim is to keep the area clean and dry, which limits both the staining and any yeast.
- Wipe the corners of the eyes daily with a clean, damp cotton pad or a dog-safe eye wipe, using a fresh part of the pad for each eye
- Dry the fur gently afterwards, a damp face is what lets stains and yeast set in
- Keep the hair around the eyes trimmed short so it doesn't wick tears across the face or poke the eye
- Use stainless steel or ceramic bowls rather than plastic, and freshen the water often
- Never put anything into the eye itself, and skip peroxide, human make-up removers or unregulated "tear stain removers" with hidden antibiotics
Groomer's tip: The single most helpful thing for most dogs is a careful trim of the hair around the eyes. It's fiddly and the eye area is delicate, so it's a job we do gently by hand during a groom, and it keeps the face cleaner for weeks.
Keeping the eye area neat is part of a good face-and-feet tidy, and something we're happy to keep on top of during a regular one-to-one groom.
When to see the vet
Tear stains themselves are usually harmless, but see your vet if you notice:
- A sudden increase in tearing, or staining that appears quickly
- Redness, squinting, pawing at the eye, or the eye held shut
- Cloudiness, discharge that's green or yellow, or a swollen eye
- Any sign of pain or that your dog can't see clearly
These can point to an eye infection, a blocked tear duct, an in-turned eyelid or an injury, all things a vet should assess. The PDSA Pet Health Hub has clear, vet-written guidance on eye problems if you want to read more. Excess tearing that isn't just cosmetic is a genuine reason to get the eyes checked.
Frequently asked questions
What causes tear stains on dogs?
Tears overflowing onto the fur, where a pigment called porphyrin oxidises to a rusty brown. Poor tear drainage, shallow eye sockets, irritation, allergies and teething can all increase it, and yeast in the damp fur can darken it further.
Are tear stains harmful to my dog?
Usually they're a cosmetic issue rather than a health problem. But if the tearing is sudden or heavy, or comes with redness, squinting or discharge, it can signal an eye problem, so that's worth a vet visit.
How do I clean my dog's tear stains?
Wipe the eye corners daily with a damp cotton pad or dog-safe eye wipe, then dry the fur. Keep the surrounding hair trimmed short. Avoid harsh products and never put anything in the eye itself.
Do tear stains ever go away completely?
On white coats the existing stain grows out slowly as the fur is trimmed and replaced. Consistent daily cleaning and keeping the face dry usually keeps new staining to a minimum, though anatomy means some breeds will always be a little prone.
This isn't veterinary advice
We're professional dog groomers, not vets, so please treat this as friendly general guidance. If you're worried about your dog, or before acting on anything here, speak to your local vet. In an emergency, contact your vet or nearest out-of-hours clinic.
Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. Gentle face trims to keep the eye area clean and comfortable are part of what we do best. Book a one-to-one groom for your pup.