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Entry 441Filed under Breeding

Tear Stains on Cats and Dogs: 3 Safe Ways to Clean Them

Tear stains are discolored fur, not a diagnosis. Learn three safe ways to clean around your pet’s eyes and when persistent tearing calls for a veterinarian.
3-minute read By Animalso Team

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You can clean away some visible tear-stain buildup, but no home method can reliably eliminate staining while tears keep overflowing. Tear stains are discoloration of facial fur, not a diagnosis. If tearing is new, persistent, worsening, or accompanied by eye symptoms, have a veterinarian look for the cause before treating it as a cosmetic problem.

First, tell staining apart from an eye problem

Tears that spill onto the face can discolor the fur. Facial anatomy and tear drainage may contribute, but excessive tearing can also result from irritation or disease, including conjunctivitis, allergies, injury, abnormal eyelashes, a corneal ulcer, glaucoma, or a blocked drainage pathway. Cleaning the fur does not treat these causes. VCA Animal Hospitals explains tear staining and cleaning; its guidance on dogs and cats describes possible causes of eye discharge.

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When to contact a veterinarian

Arrange a veterinary examination for new, persistent, or increasing tearing. Seek prompt advice if your pet squints, paws at the face, has a red eye, or develops yellow or green discharge. The cause determines the treatment, and a veterinarian can assess the eye surface and tear drainage. Do not try to diagnose an eye condition from stain color or use medication without veterinary direction.

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In cats, a blocked nasal tear duct can contribute to tear overflow. Merck Veterinary Manual notes that obstruction is more common in Persian and Himalayan cats; a veterinarian may investigate or flush an obstructed duct. Do not attempt duct treatment at home.

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Three safe ways to reduce visible buildup

Use these cleaning methods only after a veterinarian has ruled out a medical cause for ongoing tearing, or has advised you that home cleaning is appropriate. They help keep the surrounding fur clean; they do not correct abnormal drainage or treat eye disease.

1. Wipe the fur with a warm, damp cloth

Wet a clean, soft washcloth with warm water and gently wipe the fur around the eye. Avoid rubbing the eyeball or pressing on the eyelids. This is a simple option with no cleaning solution or product residue to manage. Dry the fur gently afterward.

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2. Use a pet eye-cleaning pad or wipe, then dry

Choose a pad or wipe labeled for use around pets’ eyes, and follow its directions. Keep it out of the eye; stop if the area becomes irritated. Dry the surrounding fur with a clean towel after wiping. Ask your veterinarian before introducing a new solution, particularly if your pet uses prescribed eye medication. PetMD’s guidance on dog tear stains also describes eye wipes and cleaners as cleaning options, not a cure for the cause of tearing.

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3. Keep the hair around the eyes short

Shorter hair can trap less moisture and buildup, but trimming close to the eye is delicate. If you are unsure, ask a groomer or veterinarian to do it. Grooming may make cleaning easier, but it cannot change facial anatomy or restore a blocked drainage pathway, so some tearing may continue.

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Choose a cleaning method that suits your pet

Method Practical advantage Safety and limitation
Warm, damp cloth Simple, and moisture is easy to control. Use it on the surrounding fur, not the eye; dry the area afterward.
Pet eye-cleaning pad or wipe Convenient and made for cleaning around the eyes when labeled for that use. Keep the product out of the eye, follow label directions, and dry the fur afterward.
Careful trimming Can reduce the hair that traps tears. Close trimming carries risk; use a groomer or veterinarian if you are unsure.

Products and home remedies to avoid

  • Hydrogen peroxide: Do not use it near the eyes. VCA warns that accidental splashing can cause severe damage.
  • Antibiotics or antibiotic-containing supplements for cosmetic stains: Do not use them unless a veterinarian prescribes them for a diagnosed condition. In a May 16, 2017 warning letter, the FDA said specified Ocubright products containing tylosin tartrate were unapproved new animal drugs and were not covered by an approved application. That finding concerns those products and that letter; it does not establish the current regulatory status of every tear-stain product.
  • Any product that promises a universal cure: Wipes, supplements, and diet changes cannot be relied on to stop stains for every animal, especially when anatomy or drainage is involved. Ask your veterinarian before putting a new product near the eye.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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