How to Remove Tear Stains from Dogs at Home

Those reddish-brown marks under your dog's eyes? They're common, especially on white and light-coloured dogs. And while they can make an otherwise clean face look permanently grubby, managing them doesn't have to involve complicated home remedies.

Whether you've got a Maltese, Cavoodle, Shih Tzu, Bichon or another tear-stain-prone dog, the secret is understanding what's causing the marks and establishing a gentle, consistent cleaning routine.

Here's what actually helps, which DIY remedies are best avoided and how to keep those adorable faces looking fresh.

How do you remove tear stains from dogs naturally?

The simplest approach is to keep the fur around your dog's eyes clean, dry and free from accumulated discharge.

If your vet has ruled out an underlying eye problem, start with these four steps:

1. Soften the build-up. Gently hold a clean, soft cloth dampened with a cleanser against any dried discharge on the surrounding fur. Never pull at hardened crusts.
2. Wipe carefully. Clean the stained fur with gentle strokes, avoiding direct contact with your dog's eyes. Use a fresh section of cloth for each eye.
3. Keep the area dry. Gently pat away excess moisture with a clean, dry cloth.
4. Make it a routine. Regular cleaning helps prevent tears, debris and facial grime from accumulating.

A clean, damp cloth is a great starting point. For everyday grooming, a purpose-made dog facial cleanser can make the process more convenient.

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What causes tear stains in dogs?

Tear stains usually appear as reddish-brown streaks beneath the eyes, especially on dogs with white or pale fur.

The colour comes largely from porphyrins, naturally occurring, iron-containing compounds found in tears and saliva.

When tears repeatedly wet the surrounding fur, these pigments can accumulate and create noticeable discolouration.

Some dogs produce more tears than others. And some simply have facial features that make it harder for tears to drain normally.

Common contributing factors include:

Facial anatomy: Short-nosed breeds, prominent eyes and certain eyelid shapes may contribute to tears overflowing onto the face.

• Hair around the eyes: Long facial hair can trap moisture or irritate the eye.
  
  
• Tear drainage problems: Narrow or blocked tear ducts can lead to excess tears on the fur.
  
  
• Irritation or allergies: Environmental allergens, foreign material and other irritants can increase tearing.
  
  
• Eye conditions: Infections, abnormal eyelashes or other medical problems can cause persistent watering.

Tear stains aren't always a sign that something is wrong. But if they appear suddenly, become much worse or are accompanied by discomfort, a veterinary examination is important.

Why are tear stains more obvious on white dogs?

It's often simply a matter of contrast.

Reddish-brown staining stands out much more on white, cream and pale-coloured fur.

That's why owners of Maltese, Bichons, Poodles, Cavoodles and Shih Tzus often notice tear stains even when their dogs are otherwise well groomed.

And while you may not be able to prevent every tear, you can reduce the build-up of moisture and grime with regular care.

What are porphyrins, and can you reduce them naturally?

Porphyrins are iron-containing compounds produced naturally by the body. They're found in several bodily fluids, including tears and saliva.

When tears repeatedly contact pale fur, these pigments can contribute to those familiar rust-coloured streaks.

It's tempting to search for dietary tricks or supplements that promise to reduce porphyrins, but there's no universally proven home treatment that eliminates tear staining.

You may come across recommendations to switch your dog's diet, add vinegar to drinking water or use special supplements. These approaches shouldn't be treated as proven solutions.

If your dog has excessive tearing, the more useful question is why are there so many tears reaching the fur?

Your vet can help determine whether this is related to normal facial anatomy or a condition requiring treatment.

For everyday maintenance, focus on what you can control: keeping the surrounding fur clean, managing moisture and avoiding irritation.

Do home remedies like coconut oil or vinegar remove dog tear stains?

A quick online search will uncover everything from coconut oil and green tea to apple cider vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.

But natural doesn't automatically mean safe - especially around your dog's eyes.

Here's what you should know before trying them.

Coconut oil for dog tear stains

Coconut oil frequently appears in homemade tear-stain recipes, often with claims that it lifts stains or prevents new ones.

However, there isn't good clinical evidence that applying coconut oil removes porphyrin staining. Oils may also leave residue and cause discomfort if they enter the eye.

Our recommendation: Don't rely on coconut oil as a tear-stain treatment. Gentle cleaning with water or an appropriately formulated pet grooming product is a more practical starting point.

Apple cider vinegar for tear stains

You'll find suggestions to apply diluted vinegar to the fur or add it to your dog's drinking water.

Neither is an established tear-stain treatment.

Vinegar can irritate sensitive tissues and sting if it contacts the eyes.

Our recommendation: Skip vinegar around the eyes and don't add it to drinking water for tear-stain control without veterinary advice.

Hydrogen peroxide for dog tear stains

Hydrogen peroxide is sometimes recommended as a DIY whitening treatment.

But it can cause serious irritation or injury if it reaches your dog's eyes.

Our recommendation: Don't use hydrogen peroxide, bleaching mixtures or homemade whitening pastes around your dog's eyes.

What about green tea or homemade facial wipes?

A cool, clean cloth dampened with plain water could be sufficient for basic cleaning of the surrounding fur, but does not contain any conditioning oils to maintain their fur.

A simple daily tear-stain cleaning routine

The best grooming routine is one you'll actually stick to.

You don't need a complicated multi-step process - just a little regular attention.

Step 1: Check your dog's eyes

Before cleaning, look for unusual discharge, redness, swelling, squinting or signs of discomfort.

If anything looks abnormal, don't try to disguise the problem with grooming products. Speak to your vet.

Step 2: Remove dried discharge gently

Use a soft cloth dampened with cleanser to soften any crusty build-up on the fur.

Avoid tugging, scraping or trying to remove hardened deposits with sharp tools.

Step 3: Clean the surrounding fur

For routine facial grooming, apply a small amount of FurSentials Tear Stain Remover to a soft cloth or cotton pad.

Gently wipe the affected fur, keeping the product away from the eye itself.

Use a clean pad or a fresh section of cloth for the other eye.

Step 4: Finish with a gentle dry

Remove any excess moisture from the surrounding fur with a clean, dry cloth.

Keeping the area dry between cleans can help reduce the build-up associated with persistent wetness.

Step 5: Repeat regularly

For dogs prone to tear staining, make facial cleaning part of your everyday grooming routine.

A few gentle wipes are far easier than tackling heavily accumulated discharge later.

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Can you remove old tear stains completely?

This is where expectations matter.

There's a difference between removing fresh tear residue and reversing discolouration that has already developed on the hair.

Gentle cleaning can remove accumulated discharge and surface grime, but established pigment staining may remain visible even after the fur is clean.

Older marks may gradually become less noticeable as stained hair grows out and is trimmed during grooming.

That means no cleanser should be treated as a guaranteed instant fix for every tear stain.

The real goal is to maintain clean fur, reduce build-up and manage the cause of excessive tearing wherever possible.

Consistency usually matters more than aggressive cleaning.

How to help prevent tear stains from building up

Although some dogs will always be prone to tear staining, these habits can make everyday management easier.

Keep facial fur neatly groomed. Hair rubbing against the eyes can contribute to irritation, while long fur can retain moisture. Ask a professional groomer to trim the area safely.

1. Clean away discharge regularly. Don't wait until residue becomes heavily crusted. A gentle daily routine is easier on both you and your dog.
   
   
2. Keep the surrounding fur dry. After cleaning, carefully blot away moisture.
   
   
3. Maintain a balanced diet and fresh drinking water. Good nutrition and hydration support your dog's overall health, but switching to filtered water or a grain-free diet is not a proven universal cure for tear stains.
   

Check with your vet if tearing is excessive. Persistent overflow may have an underlying cause that grooming alone cannot correct.

And remember: the aim isn't to eliminate every mark at any cost. It's to keep your dog comfortable, clean and well cared for.

When should you see a vet about dog tear stains?

Tear staining can be purely cosmetic, but excessive watering can also indicate an eye problem.

Arrange veterinary advice if you notice:

• A sudden increase in tearing or staining
• Redness, swelling or irritated skin around the eyes
• Yellow, green or unusually thick discharge
• Squinting, pawing at the face or sensitivity to light
• An unpleasant smell or persistently damp, inflamed skin
• Tearing that predominantly affects one eye, especially if it's new
• Painful eyes, squinting or suspected injury warrant prompt veterinary attention.

Grooming products can help keep the surrounding fur clean, but they cannot treat infections, blocked tear ducts or other eye conditions.

Less eye gunk. Less fuss. More of that adorable face.

Tear stains are one of those small dog-life frustrations that can become a daily battle if you let them build up.

But keeping your dog's face clean doesn't have to be complicated.

Understand what's causing the tears. Avoid harsh home remedies. Keep the fur clean and dry. And make gentle grooming part of your routine.

That's where FurSentials comes in.

Our Australian-made Tear Stain Remover is designed to take the fuss out of everyday facial cleaning, helping lift discharge and grime from the surrounding fur and leaving behind gentle botanicals to help protect the fur.
No nasties, no bleach.

Because you've got better things to do than wrestle with crusty eye gunk.

SHOP FURSENTIALS TEAR STAIN REMOVER — 125 mL

Want to freshen up more than just their face? Explore our Dog Coat Care collection for fuss-free grooming between baths.

Less staining. Less wiping. More cuddles.

This article provides general dog grooming information and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog develops excessive tearing, unusual discharge, redness or eye discomfort, consult your veterinarian.