Tear Staining - How To 'Visibly' Improve This Condition
Reddish brown marks under the eyes of white coated breeds of dogs are unsightly. My bichon frise Toby, has suffered from these marks for many years
When the stains first appeared, I took Toby to the vet. My vet gave Toby a clean bill of health after a thorough examination and suggested that the tear stains were possibly genetic (in which case little could be done).'
(Jane Millar owner of Toby)
Jane's experience above is typical of many pet owners with white coated breeds of dogs. Vets are not usually overly concerned by tear staining as it is generally viewed as a cosmetic issue. However, this is no consolation to those of us who are showing our dogs or just want our much loved pets to look their best. White fur and bright eyes are a must. So what can be done to achieve this goal?
Of course, there are a plethora of topical products that can be applied to disguise the discolouration. Show White Paste is an excellent option. It is highly acclaimed in the show world for its extra white appearance and ability to stay on the coat and can be applied lightly with a cloth and left to dry until the excess is brushed out.
Show White Paste is great for those special occasions, however if you want your dog to look in top condition on a daily basis you need to consider how best to treat the animal from the inside out.
Our Tear Stain Supplement will help to get rid of tear staining and comes in the form of a tasty treat. These soft chews support the immune system and lubricate mucous membranes to help with tear stains.
In addition to using an eye care product, owners could also consider modifying their pet's diet. Many commercially produced dog foods contain additives and colourings which may literally 'dye' the colour of the dog's tears. Whilst this discolouration may not be noticed on a darker coloured dog, it will be all too obvious on a white coated breed. Minerals in the water can also play their part so try filling your dog's water bowl with bottled or distilled water. Some people suggest adding a drop of apple cider vinegar to your dog's water bowl. I've never tried this myself but I would hazard a guess that your dog may not be too keen on the taste...
However you decide to treat your dog, be careful of using one of the many American products available online in the UK which contain an antibiotic called Tysolin. The use of Tysolin is illegal in the UK without a vet's prescription and may be harmful to your pet. With long-term use, products containing Tylosin could have a negative effect on your dog's stomach and adversely affect the success of any other antibiotics they may need in the future.