There are a whole host of reasons why your pet pooch may have tear stains. Though dog tear stains are a widespread commonality in dogs and are usually nothing to worry about, there are some instances where dog tear stains are related to your furry friend’s health.
Common causes can include:
Allergies
If your dog is allergic to something, this can cause extreme tear production. Allergies are often heightened during a change in season, so it’s good to be aware of this.
Blocked puncta (tear drainage holes)
Whether down to scar tissue or a pre-existing infection, these holes can get blocked up and prevent tears from draining properly.
Ingrown hairs
Hair surrounding the eyes, as well as eyelashes, can become ingrown and, as a result, cause your dog’s eyes to tear up more aggressively.
Shallow eye sockets
Dogs with flatter faces, shorter noses, and less pronounced or sunken eye sockets tend to tear up more frequently.
Do tear stains go away on their own?
The short answer is, yes. Dog tear stains are never usually permanent – as your dog continues to grow and develop, they almost always go away. A healthy dog’s eyes are bound to tear up every now and then, and it’s usually a sign that their eyes are flushing out unwanted bacteria.
