How Do I Manage My Dog’s Tear Stains?
Reddish-brown tear stains come from pigment in overflowing tears — daily drying and trimming help, but stubborn staining calls for finding why tears overflow.
The rusty stain under a white dog’s eyes is porphyrin, an iron-containing pigment excreted in tears and saliva. When tears overflow the lids instead of draining through the tear duct, the fur stays wet and the pigment builds up. Maltese, Poodles, and other small white breeds show it most visibly.
Daily care first, then the underlying cause
The core routine is simple: wipe the area with a damp pad once or twice a day, dry it well, and keep the hair around the inner corner trimmed short so it stops wicking tears. Diet, water bowl material, and grooming habits are often blamed, but their impact varies between individual dogs, so change one thing at a time.
If staining stays heavy despite consistent care, the question becomes why tears overflow — inward-rolling lids, blocked tear ducts, eyelash problems, and allergies are common answers. Those need a veterinary eye exam, and internet remedies such as antibiotic powders should be avoided without a veterinarian’s direction.
MediIndex articles are for general information only and are not medical advice, diagnosis, or advertising. Outcomes vary by individual — consult a board-certified specialist for personal decisions.