Does your dog suffer from tear stains? Are you wondering what you can do to treat and prevent this problem? You may have heard that blueberries are a superfood for humans but did you know they are also a superfood for dogs? Now you may be wondering how these are connected to tear stains? Do blueberries help with dog tear stains? And the answer is yes! Incorporating blueberries into your dog’s life can help with dog tear stains.
What Causes Dog Tear Stains?
Before we get into the logistics of how blueberries can help tear stains, we should first look at what causes dog tear stains. Many different things cause dogs to develop tear stains, with some breeds being more prone to this problem than others. Below we will list some of the most common conditions that cause dogs to develop tear stains.
- Epiphora: Epiphora is a condition in which your dog’s eyes produce excessive tears. Sometimes this leads to improper tear drainage, which can be very painful and problematic for your dog. Tear stains are common in dogs with this condition.
- Allergies: Just like humans, dogs can have environmental and food allergies. Dogs with allergies may develop tear stains as their eyes are more prone to running than those dogs without allergies.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a disease in which fluid and pressure build up within your dog’s eyes. Unfortunately, glaucoma is very painful for your pup. Pain can cause excessive tearing as the eye is increasingly irritated. Therefore, a dog with a painful condition such as glaucoma can develop tear stains.
- Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is the infection of the mucous membrane of your dog’s eye. This illness causes your dog’s eyes to become inflamed and often causes discharge. This discharge can cause staining under your dog’s eyes.
- Distichiasis and Ingrown Eyelashes: Distichiasis is the production of eyelashes in abnormal locations on the eyelid. Depending on the site of these lashes, your dog’s eyes can become irritated, causing excessive tearing. Ingrown eyelashes can also have the same effect on dogs as their eyes become irritated.
- Shallow Eye Sockets: Most common among brachycephalic breeds, shallow eye sockets can cause excessive tearing. This is because there is a lack of space in the eye to keep the tears in. Therefore they spill over, causing stains.
Do Blueberries Help With Dog Tear Stains?
As you can see, there are many reasons your dog may have tear stains. But, there is a simple solution to treat and prevent tear stains: blueberries! Blueberries are a superfood that can be added to your dog’s diet and beauty routine to reduce tear staining. So, yes, blueberries are not just a delicious snack for your pup. They are also great at keeping the eyes healthy and fur clean.
How to Use Blueberries to Treat and Prevent Dog Tear Stains
Blueberries are an antioxidant superfood that has many health benefits. But, eating blueberries is not the only way you and your dog can benefit from this fruit, especially when it comes to tear stains. Below we will explain how you can use blueberries to help with tear stains.
Diet
The more obvious choice when it comes to blueberries is adding them to your dog’s diet. Blueberries are one of the best foods you can give your dog if you are concerned about eye health. These berries are incredibly high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, which help reduce the eye irritation that can lead to excessive tearing and stains.
Additionally, the high levels of vitamin C found in blueberries increase your dog’s collagen production, which has been proven to be beneficial for eye health. Vitamin C also helps your dog develop a robust immune system that helps fight off infections, including infections of the eyes.
Cosmetic
If you want to use blueberries to help with your dog’s tear stains, you may want to think out of the box. Yes, blueberries are an excellent treat for your dog. Still, you may also want to incorporate them into its hygiene routine as well. Blueberry shampoos, also sometimes referred to as blueberry facials, have been proven to remove stubborn tear stains from dogs’ fur.
Similar to the glowing effects that blueberries have on human skin, blueberries also brighten a dog’s fur and remove stains simultaneously. In addition to these brightening benefits, dogs tend to like blueberry facials because of the calming smells and massages that come with receiving this treatment.
Blueberry shampoo is a simple, at-home solution for removing tear stains. All you need to make this shampoo is a ¼ cup of blueberries and an ⅛ of a cup of coconut oil. You will want to mash or puree the blueberries into a paste before mixing them with the coconut oil. This mixture can then be used on your dog’s entire body or just around its eyes where there is tear staining. Just remember to avoid making direct contact with the eyeballs and mouth when using this shampoo.
If you do not have time or resources to make this shampoo at home, you can buy it at the store. Many animal-centered companies have now released their own versions of this product which is safe and effective. Please remember to never use human shampoos on your dog as they can contain toxic ingredients that are not dog-safe.
What Breeds Are Most Prone to Tear Stains?
Some dog breeds are more prone to developing tear stains than others. Some dogs will go their whole lives without having this problem at all. Below you will find a list of the dogs who are more likely to develop tear stains and who would benefit most from blueberries.
- Poodles
- Maltese
- Shih Tzus
- Cocker Spaniels
- Pekingese
- Bulldogs
- Pugs
Conclusion Do Blueberries Help With Dog Tear Stains?
So, if you are looking for a simple way to help with dog tear stains, try blueberries. You can incorporate these fruits into your dog’s diet or beauty routine to treat and prevent stains from developing around your dog’s eyes. Not only will your dog be more comfortable because of its clean eyes, but it will also be happy to have a tasty treat or calming spa day.
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Dr. Sabrina Kong graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in England in 2016 and has been working at a small animal clinic in Northern California since then. She grew up in the Bay Area and got her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She also became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through a program at the University of Tennessee.
When she isn’t in the clinic taking care of her four-legged patients, she enjoys traveling and trying new foods with her friends and her three-legged dog, Apollo. She adopted Apollo from her clinic when he was a puppy with numerous health issues. Dr. Kong truly cares about taking care of animals.