.Almost every dog I’ve owned has had issues with dog tear stains, so it was important for me to find a way to remove dog tear stains naturally. Regular grooming didn’t remove the stains caused by their excessive tears from their tear ducts, and all the special wipes and fancy tear stain removers contained extra chemicals I just didn’t want to use, like antibiotics and other fillers.
How do you remove dog tear stains naturally?
You can remove dog tear stains naturally by applying small amounts of water, vinegar, coconut oil, hydrogen peroxide, or cleaning products with natural ingredients to the dog tear stains. Since natural cleaning solutions are relatively gentle, it may take some time to significantly remove stains.
I found that many of the chemicals sold on the market today contain abrasive ingredients that may be irritating or harmful to my dogs. I’ll tell you about safer and more natural ways I’ve removed dog tear stains.
Removing Dog Tear Stains Naturally
Though I’ve had some success with bottled cleaning products from pet stores, I’ve often been reluctant to use them since they might harm my dogs in the long run.
Artificial soaps and other unnatural cleaners can be damaging to a dog’s eyes and skin.
I tend to use solutions that are less abrasive and try to clean around their eyes too often in one day.
Regardless of the solution you use to remove your dog’s tear stains, you should first test to make sure they aren’t allergic or disgusted by anything you use to clean them.
Use Filtered Water To Remove Dog Tear Stains Naturally
One of the main things I use to naturally clean my dog’s tear stains is plain filtered water.
Filtered water usually won’t remove my dog’s tear stains in a short period of time, but with consistent use over several weeks, I can gradually notice the stains fade away.
Using plain filtered or distilled water has been a great way for me to clean my dog’s tear stains while also keeping them safe.
I feel good knowing the water won’t do any harm to their bodies the bottled cleaner might.
I don’t have to worry about my dog accidentally ingesting harmful ingredients in bottled cleaners.
Though natural cleaning solutions can be great, the effectiveness of the solutions largely depends on the particular dog and how they react to the solutions.
Use A Vinegar Solution To Remove Dog Tear Stains Naturally
The first natural cleaning solution I used on my dog was actually used on myself for health and wellness purposes.
Ever since I started trying to eat more healthily, I’ve been exploring different types of foods that can naturally resolve my digestive problems and clear up my skin.
I began using apple cider vinegar as a way to regulate my digestive system and to promote good bacteria in my gut.
While learning about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar, I learned that it can be a safe and effective cleaning solution.
Not only did I use apple cider vinegar to clean my skin, I actually found it strong enough to clean my entire bathroom.
Before you get too worried about wiping a bathroom cleaner around your dog’s eyes, you should know that apple cider vinegar must be diluted to make it less potent and more appropriate to be used on a dog.
As with many natural cleaning solutions, the delicate nature of the solutions often means we cannot expect them to clean a dog’s tear stains in a short period of time.
I found that as long as I’m careful and don’t use more than a 50-50 mix of water, I can usually use the mixture to clean my dog’s tear stains just fine.
You may need to adjust the apple cider vinegar mixture depending on how your dog reacts to the feel and smell of it.
It might be good to play it safe and start with less than 25% of vinegar to water and see how well that works for your dog.
When using an apple cider vinegar solution on your dog, you should start by using a very small diluted amount around their eyes to see if they are bothered by it.
If you notice anything wrong, you should stop using the solution or lower the amount until you can clean around their eyes without any adverse reactions.
Another great thing about apple cider vinegar is that you can add it to your dog’s food to help regulate their digestive system and build up protective acidity in their body.
Since apple cider vinegar can be beneficial to your dog’s overall health, it may help to reduce the amount of tears they produce.
If apple cider vinegar is too strong for your dog or is hard to find in your area, you can use white vinegar as a substitute for your cleaning mixture.
White vinegar is the common ingredient used for cooking and can be found in most major food stores.
When cleaning your dog’s tear stains ]with any kind of vinegar, you should only use a small bit on the tips of your fingers or use a cotton pad.
A cotton swab might also work since its small and sturdy tip could help to pinpoint some of the cleaning pressure.
You should avoid using a cotton ball or other cleaning materials that have loose fibers that can easily get stuck in your dog’s hair.
Use Coconut Oil To Remove Dog Tear Stains Naturally
Another natural cleaning solution I use to clean my dog’s tear stains is coconut oil.
Although I read about using coconut oil for dogs online, I initially used coconut oil to help moisturize my skin.
Compared to vinegar, coconut oil is much less acidic and is less likely to bother your dog when it’s applied around their eyes.
On the downside, coconut oil will generally have less cleaning power than a vinegar-based solution.
If you’re looking for a safe and gentle natural solution to clean your dog’s tear stains, coconut oil is great since it’s also relatively safe if your dog ingests it.
Coconut oil is a natural antibacterial agent that can be used to clean skin and hair.
I’ve actually used coconut oil to promote hair growth since it can provide nutrients to my scalp to thicken hair and help it grow.
Along with using coconut oil to directly clean areas around your dog’s eyes, you can add a bit of coconut oil to your dog’s food or water to aid their digestive health.
I’ve noticed fewer instances of constipation and diarrhea with my dogs that were fed coconut oil.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide To Remove Dog Tear Stains Naturally
Though it might not be as natural as vinegar and oil, hydrogen peroxide is an eco-friendly solution I also use to remove dog tear stains.
Unlike apple cider vinegar and coconut oil, hydrogen peroxide should not be fed to your dog.
If your dog ingests hydrogen peroxide, it may cause him to get sick and vomit.
Hydrogen peroxide can be safe for removing dog tear stains if it is used with caution and in small amounts.
To use hydrogen peroxide to remove dog tear stains, you should use a small amount with a soft and non-fibrous material like a cotton pad.
You can also use your fingers to rub areas that might be hard to get to with a cleaning object.
Use A Natural Cleaning Product To Remove Dog Tear Stains Naturally
Another way I remove dog tear stains naturally is to use a cleaning product with natural ingredients.
Though many cleaning products contain synthetic ingredients that can be harmful to my dog, I’ve used many high-quality products with natural ingredients that have worked well to remove dog stains without hurting them.
You can use a bottled solution that contains ingredients like milk thistle, lavender, chamomile and other minimally-abrasive substances that are gentle on your dog.
Using a store-bought cleaning solution with natural ingredients can save you lots of time compared to using a home remedy solution.
I also really like the smell of many of these natural dog cleaners, which makes the entire cleaning process more enjoyable for me and my dog.
How Can I Prevent Dog Tear Stains Naturally?
I like to cut bunches of hair around my dog’s eyes to help reduce tear production and tear stains.
Reducing the presence of irritants in the air and surfaces around my dog has helped to block allergies that cause my dog’s eyes to tear up.
Preventing allergies and making sure my dog is clean has done wonders for reducing my dog’s tear stains.
I try to always pay close attention to my dog when it is in a park or dusty area and remove them as soon as I notice a high amount of tears in their eyes.
I also avoid giving my dog tap water or any water with high mineral content, which can cause dog tear stains.
You might also consider reducing your dog’s iron intake since iron can promote the production of tears.
Since beef has iron in it, reducing dog foods that contain beef could reduce their overall iron intake.
Since iron is part of a healthy dog’s diet, you shouldn’t completely remove iron from their diet.
I usually adjust my dog’s iron intake depending on how their tear production and stains look during the week.
You should check with your dog’s veterinarian to make sure your dog doesn’t have any allergies or other issues that might increase tear production and cause tear stains.
Key Takeaways
- Gentle cleaning solutions like filtered water, vinegar, coconut oil, hydrogen peroxide, and cleaning products with natural ingredients can be used to remove dog tear stains naturally.
- To maximize the safety and effectiveness of using a natural cleaning solution, you should be consistent and aim to see noticeable results over a long period of time.
- You can take measures to prevent or reduce dog tear stains by feeding your dog a healthy diet and keeping them away from foods and substances that might promote the production of tears.
