Diet Stops Dog Tear Stains

by Alison
(KY)

We have 3 Maltese dogs and have found our tear stains were coming from the food they eat (Iams). We have since changed to a food we get from our vet. We also only give our Maltese dogs distilled water to drink. Since making these changes the tear stains are gone.

Changing Food Eliminated All Stains

by Trish
(Boca Raton, FL)

My 10 month old Maltese Shih Tzu mix had a bad eye staining problem and Angel Eyes absolutely does work, but when I stopped using it the stains returned as bad as ever.

I switched her to Merrick Grain Free dog food several months ago and the staining is entirely gone now. I read somewhere that the ingredients in some dog foods contribute to the staining, and evidently Merrick is free of whatever causes it.

Beet Pulp Free Food

If you feed food with beet pulp as an ingredient you will have much worse tear stains. I was my boys eyes everyday and feel beet free and they both have beautiful faces with no stains.

Avoid Pet Foods with Dye

by Ginny
(Glen Head, NY)

I have two Maltese dogs. Both had severe red tear stain. I took one to a dog opthalmologist who suggested surgery to close the tear ducts. Fortunately, I did not listen to that. At about that time, the scare of pets dying from pet food produced in China occurred. I stopped feeding my dogs pet food and began making their food from table scraps and beef patties, vegetables, pasta, eggs, cheese, etc. Within two weeks the red eye stain was completely gone from both of them and has never returned in the 4 years since. Dog food is loaded with chemicals, preservatives, food coloring, fillers. I don't know what they were getting that created the reaction of red eye stain. Read about cooking for your Maltese. Avoid certain things like onions and grapes and heavily seasoned foods like tomato sauce, but otherwise, go ahead and try this. It works!!!!

Orijen Dog Food and Angels Eyes

by J and RU
(Santa Rosa, CA)

I took my dog of all grain and feed him Orijen Grain-Free dog food now, its gluten and grain free and gave him Angels Eyes for about a week and kept his face trimmed and now he has no tear stains at all!!! Amazing!! We get compliments everywhere we go!!

Homemade Dog Food for Tear Stains

I have two Maltese and had terrible red tear stains problems with both. I even took one to a dog eye specialist who recommended tear duct surgery. I opted not to do that but to start feeding both dogs homemade dog food. Within two weeks, the tear staining had nearly stopped. It has been two years now since they have had dog food. They are in excellent health and have no tear stain whatsoever.

I think the eyestain problem is related to food coloring or preservatives in dog food. I went to gourmet dog food labels to see what vegetables and meats to feed them. There are also many suggestions on the internet for feeding balanced diets to small dogs. I find that this is no more expensive than buying prepared dog foods. I often make up a batch of homemade dog food in the food processor and then put them in individual sandwich baggies in the freezer. Then I only need to thaw one bag at a time for a balanced meal. They are the best fed dogs in town, and they look beautiful!

Dog Food Allergies

by Kim Pulsipher
(Fort Myers, Florida)

I found out accidentally that my Rosie is sensitive to wheat. I changed her food and kept her off of wheat for about 3 months.

Now she can tolerate small amounts, which is good because one of her favorite treats is dry macaroni noodles. Crunch Crunch!

Science Diet Puppy Food

by Jenna
(NC)

My Maltese Dottie had eye stains that weren't too bad but I still wanted to see if I could make under her eyes whiter. Every night I wash her face with Johnson's No Tears Baby Wash (careful not to get in the eyes). She also eats a healthy diet of Science Diet puppy food that seems to have also helped.

I warn you though, when you switch a puppy's food, they can get a very upset tummy so do so slowly. Mix a bit of the new food with the old food until eventually, you can give your little girl or boy all of the new food and they will be used to it!

Grain Free Diet Reduces Tear Stains

by Anne
(Cambridge, Ontario, Canada)

I changed my dog's diet to grain free with an added probiotic. Two months later she is completely red stain free. She debeloped this problem at 8 months old and it took me more than two years to find the solution. Vet prescribed eye drops and an eye wash that did nothing. I tried most things I found on google, but only this worked. I came across a veterinarian post that said red tear stains were from bacteria in the stomach. Changed the diet and complete success. Her eyes do not run anymore and her face looks amazing now :)

Home Cooked Dog Food for Tearstain

by Nora Yuen
(Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)

I do not have a Maltese but I have a Shih Tzu and a Poodle Terrier mix. Both with tearstain problems. The vet told me that it is part of their genetics and bread. 3 months ago, I started to cook for my dogs. No more commercial dog food, only home cooked dog food. Just hamburger meat with brown rice and veg or chicken with brown rice and veg. Astonishingly, the tearstain from both dogs disappeared. I cannot get over it but not only do my dogs have more energy, seems a lot livelier and happier, but no tearstains at all. None.

Diet Change is key to tear stain removal!

by Starlit
(Gladewater, TX, USA)

I got my toy Mauzer from a friend who could no longer care for her. Her coat was very dull and shedding, her breath stunk and her tear stain was horrible. She was on Purina dog food. I changed her over to Natural Balance without grain, it is alot more expensive but since this, her coat is very shiny breath no longer smells and in 1 months there is NO MORE Tear stain!!!! Natural Balance is rather costly, but I highly reccommend it! I would also recommend a diet without wheat/grain for Maltese breed dogs. Their little tummies just can't handle it!

Cure Eyestain with Homemade Food

by Karen
(Florida)

I stumbled on this by accident to help cure eyestain. Three months ago my otherwise very healthy purebred, 6- year old male Maltese came down with a case of diarrhea. I began treatment by 1- day of no food (just available water), 2-nd day boiled skinless chicken breast with white rice 1 feeding, 2-nd day upped it to 2- servings. Diarrhea cleared up quickly, (I kept him on the chicken/rice diet for 7- days to be safe), however the biggest change, and shock was the almost immediate difference in his eyestain! I hope I will be able to attach his picture, you will be amazed.

Not only are his eyes pure white with not a speck of staining, his coat(which I keep in a puppy cut), is growing like a weed and is shinier. He has been on this diet for 3-months now and will be for life. He LOVES the food also.

Of note, I was concerned about the lack of vitamins and nutrients essential to my dog with this diet. After much research I chose a "supplement paste" that I add to this homemade mixture. Just so every one knows, I have run all of this by my vet, and have his highest blessing. The only thing they did was try to sell me their daily vitamin pill version vitamin supplement. Not happening. My dog has an amazing ability to hide a pill in his mouth for hours only to spit it out later.. no matter how far it gets pushed down into his throat.

During my research I was shocked, appalled and at the very least disgusted at what goes into commercially made food! This wrnt for ALL brands, even the organic ones. Two of the "best" on the market hace had recalls due to saminella.

To those who think it sounds too expensive or time consuming I will say this.. I use about 5- chicken breast per week (my dog is a solid healthy 11- lb. male). I make enough for 3- days at a time, feedings twice a day.

It is a bit more expensive, but I love my dog and am more than willing to give up something like a Starbuck's a week. It helps that we have this little breed, not sure what it would cost for a large breed dog. Also, I know this diet has improved his overall health which will result in less vet bills, and a longer life. Think about it. What we put into them comes out in more than one way with the Maltese. Lately I am finding myself just staring into his eyes, they are so beautiful without any eyestaining. People are constantly commrnting on that and his overall coat. Hope this helps...

I am using an Ipad and the website will not allow me to attach pictures.. but if anyone has questions please ask.. I will go to my laptop and try to post pictures from that, if I can open the thread again.

Best regards.

Stop Eye Stain with Meat and Veg Diet

Stopped processed dog food and have been feeding cooked meat and raw vegies instead for years, no more eye stain!

Taste of the Wild Grain-Free

by Jean Chafins
(Crossville, Tenn.)

I switched dog foods!!! To Taste of the Wild Grain-Free. Since I have been feeding this food, which I exchange every few months with Blue Buffalo, my Maltipoo has stopped having tear stains.

Now her face is clean and white all the time!! She is also healthier and her eyes shine brighter. She was on "Chicken Soup" before which is a very good food but her eyes teared so bad!!

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