We all strive to look our best. There are cosmetic remedies and prescription medicines for dark circles and puffy eyes. The same is true for dogs that have reddish-brown stains under their eyes.

Tear stains are apparent on white and light hair dogs. Brown, black and dogs with darker hair and fur experience tear staining also; it just is not that noticeable because it is camouflaged by their coloring. Light or dark coated, not all dogs experience tear staining.

There are many reasons why a dog has tear stains. It is trial and error to figure out which is causing the problem in your dog. Every dog has a different chemical makeup and lives in a different environment; therefore the eye stain culprit can vary from dog to dog.

The mineral level in water is also a documented cause of tear stains. Many dog owners put filtered water or commercially bottled water in their dog's water bowl. If this doesn't eliminate enough minerals for your dog try distilled water.

Wet face hair caused by excessive tearing is a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. Red Yeast is a common eye infection and causes a deep reddish-brown stain. Bacterial infections in the tear ducts are also common and may cause excess tearing and staining. A veterinarian can diagnose these types of infections. An examination will determine the actual cause of the staining.

Fleas irritate the eyes and make them tear. This is how they create the wet face habitat they thrive in. Fleas feed on a dog's blood which causes their feces to be a reddish brown color. The same color as tear stains.

There are solutions you can purchase in a pet store to aid in eliminating eye staining. Some popular products include: Angels' Eyes(R) helps to eliminate staining around the mouth and a dog coat due to licking. Just sprinkle Angels' Eyes daily on regular food. Eye Envy is a tear stain removal system that is applied externally to remove unsightly stains and inhibits dark staining production. Eye Envy does not contain any bleach, peroxide or steroids. Grooming shampoos like SPA Lavish Your Pet Collection Fresh Pet Facial Scrub effectively removes dirt and tear stains.

Check with your Veterinarian to be sure the method you choose is safe for your dog. The eye area is very sensitive and extra caution is necessary to keep your pet beautiful and healthy!

There are many causes why a dog has tear stains. It is trial and error to determine the cause of the problem in your dog. Joanne Gallagher is an expert in caring for your dog and suggests browsing to Jake's Dog House for different solutions for tear stain removal.

Posted under Dogs