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Ey Eas for dogs

To Manage Uncomfortable Swelling and Restore Eye Health from Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) and Watery Eyes

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How To Get Rid of Cat and Dog Tear Stains

Pet Care Tips 3 min read
White dog with reddish brown tear stains. How to get rid of cat and dog tear stains

Have you ever noticed or gotten bothered by the dark brown (sometimes reddish) marks underneath your pet’s eyes? Those stains are more visible in light color pets and are the result of excessive production of tears or the inability to properly drain tears. To get rid of cat and dog tear stains, you can clean them off. Or, you can support their eye health proactively for healthier tear production and drainage.

What Causes Tear Stains?

When pets cannot properly drain their tears, it is a condition called epiphora. This condition has several causes and can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Here are some of the medical causes of epiphora:

  • Eye infections – bacteria, fungi, parasites, external factors like dust and smoke
  • Conjunctivitis – inflammation of the lining of the eye and can cause mucous and discharge
  • Ingrown eyelashes – usually related to genetics
  • Allergies – both food and environmental allergies can cause the eyes to make excessive tears

These are only some of the causes, so it is important that you take your furbaby to the veterinarian as soon as you notice a change in their eyes. The only way to know the cause of your cat or dog’s tear stains is by having your veterinarian examine them.

Are Some Pets More Prone To Tear Stains?

All dogs are prone to tear stains, however, they will be more visible on white and light-colored pets as the reddish stain contrasts with the fur. With black and dark-colored pets, the stains tend to blend in. Some breeds are more likely to have epiphora due to their physiology. Brachycephalic breeds like Persian cats and French bulldogs, and breeds that may have the inability to fully close their eyelids like Shih Tzus and Maltese are more likely to have tear stains.

White brachycephalic cat with dark tear stains and crusted eye discharge.

How To Treat Epiphora

The treatment will vary depending on the cause and will aim to address the underlying issue.

The treatment will vary depending on the cause and will aim to address the underlying issue. If food allergies are the cause, your vet might prescribe a special diet, if an infection is the cause, they will prescribe medication. If it is another issue, more treatment options will be recommended. The treatment may help to reduce the tear stain, but sometimes it will not fully go away.

How To Remove Tear Stains Naturally

Aside from the treatment recommended by your vet, you can also take steps to help with the issue. Trimming the fur around the eyes, cleaning the area with a soft cloth and warm water, using dog-safe eyewash to remove irritants, can help your cat or dog to feel more comfortable and even help with the stains.

On the market, there are also several products that promise to remove cat and dog tear stains. However, most of them are not effective and may even harm your furbaby’s eyes. So we do not recommend using any of these products unless your trusted veterinarian prescribes one.

At NHV, we have a line of herbal natural supplements that may help with your furkiddo’s condition. The regimen will depend on the underlying cause of the cat or dog tear stains. Our pet experts can guide you to the products that may be the most effective in addressing the issue.

Ey-Eas is our herbal eye drops formula that can help with eye inflammation and infections. Ey-Eas itself will not get rid of the stains, but if infection and inflammation are the cause of your furbaby’s tears, it can help soothe the eyes. Just make sure your pet doesn’t have an eye ulcer before applying Ey-Eas.

OcuLove is our newest supplement, specifically formulated to promote eye function and keep them healthy. The ingredients in the formula have beneficial properties that proactively support eye health and aid with discomfort and inflammation in and around the eye.

Stimmune and Alge-Ex are our oral supplements to help with food and environmental allergies, respectively. They can help to relieve symptoms like redness and itchiness not only on the skin but the eyes as well. If allergies are the source of the tear overproduction, Stimmune and Alge-Ex may be beneficial to help reduce the symptoms that affect the eyes, like discharge, also known as goopy eyes.

Turmeric is one of our supplements that can be used at any life stage and has properties beneficial for inflammation, discomfort, and organ health. Studies show that turmeric can be really good for the heart, kidneys, and eye function.


If you are ever wondering what kind of supplements would be best for your furbaby’s condition, please let us know. We are available for live chat, phone chat, email, Facebook, and Instagram. To start a live chat with our pet experts, click the button below.

Dr. Rebeca Oliveira DVM

Dr. Rebeca Oliveira DVM

Dr. Rebeca is a holistic veterinarian from Brazil with a passion for natural and integrative medicine. She’s been studying integrative medicine and alternative (and healthier) diets since 2015, and now started to study the power of herbs with the NHV Family. In her spare time, you can find her spending time with her golden retriever, Kuga.

Published: February 17, 2022

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