Brown or reddish stains under our four-legged friends' eyes are a very common problem, but often difficult to solve. Today, we're delving into this topic with advice from a Japanese veterinary ophthalmologist, an expert in pet eye care.

Why do tear stains form?

Here are the 3 main causes identified by the expert:

1. Ocular discomfort: Excessive tear production due to irritation or an external reaction.

2. Duct obstruction: When the drainage system (the nasolacrimal duct) is blocked, tears overflow. Remaining in contact with the fur and oxidizing, they create that typical brownish color.

3. Poor tear film quality: Tears are composed of a mixture of water and lipids (fats). If this composition changes, the tear can no longer "cling" to the eye's surface and slips out. Often, this aspect is linked to nutrition: integrating high-quality fats into the diet can make a difference.

What can you do at home? A 3-step wellness ritual

As we've seen, the causes can be many. However, there's a simple and effective method to improve your pet's daily situation:

1. Warm compresses to stimulate lipids

Many pets suffer from a deficiency of the oily component in their tears. To stimulate its production, apply a specific dog eye mask or a cloth moistened with warm water (between 30°C and 40°C) to the eye area for about 5 minutes. Place the cloth gently, without pressing.

2. Gentle massage

The heat melts the "old" fats accumulated in the eyelid glands. After the compress, gently massage the area around the eyes to promote the release of natural and clean sebum, essential for protecting the eye.

3. Deep and safe cleaning

The final step is to clean up any residue. Keeping the area dry and sanitized is essential to prevent fur oxidation.

SHIZEN PET's tip: Our Dry Shampoo is also loved by our customers as a cleaner for tear stains. Thanks to its natural formula based on baking soda, botanical extracts, and pomegranate and grape seed oils, it gently cleans while respecting the extreme sensitivity of the periocular area.

  Discover more about our products and give your pet natural care!