You love cuddling your sweet little Maltese puppy, but as you look at her closer, you see that she has dark reddish-brown stain marks under her eyes. At first you didn't mind them, but as the days go by, the stains seem to become severe. Soon enough, the red marks have already reached her nose. It looks unpleasant and you worry that it's dangerous for your little angel.

Many dog owners encounter this problem, called tear-staining. It's often seen in small breeds, such as Maltese, Shih Tzu, Bichon Frise, Cocker Spaniel, Chihuahua and Maltipoos. Tear-staining is caused by the size of the tear ducts and how much it waters. Although it's not exactly life threatening, it can be very irritating for your doggy friend. You should try and get rid of this problem as soon as you can.

Crying Dogs

If you see tear stains on a dog, the first thing that'll enter your mind is she might be mistreated or in a lot of pain. This is not always the case. The stains DO come from tears, but there are lots of reasons why they come out. Fluid discharge from eyes are natural for dogs, but if the staining is extreme, it will ruin your pet's pretty face.

The first step to remove unpleasant tear stains is to know what causes them. Check out these factors and see if you can prevent them, so you won't have to worry about your dog's tear stains anymore.

• Clogged Tear Ducts - Smaller dogs always have shallow tear ducts, making them more prone to clogging. Some even have tear ducts that don't open properly. This makes tearing more frequent, which can then lead to staining. Take your dog to a veterinarian to find out if she has this problem. The vet can do a surgery to open the ducts properly. The ducts can also be flushed out to lessening tear stains.
• Ear Infection - Although the stains appear in her eyes, the dilemma might come from her ears. When your dog's ears get infected, she suffer a bit of pain, which can also cause tearing. Make sure to wash and dry her ears regularly and properly. If your dog already gets infected, take her to a vet, so he can prescribe a good antibiotic.
• Allergies - Isn't it that when people are exposed to allergens, they sometimes experience tearing? The same happens to dogs. The allergy can be triggered by a shampoo, a type of food or something in the environment. Try and observe your dog for a few days. Change her shampoo, put her in another place or alter her diet. This might take time, but hopefully, you'll know how to get rid of those nasty stains.
• Teeth And Gum Problems – Just like with ear infection, your dog may be in some kind of pain caused by her gums or teeth. Check her mouth for signs of decayed or broken tooth and bleeding gums. If there are problems, take her to the vet. Dental problems can cause worse damage than tear staining if not taken care of immediately.

Other possible reasons of tearing and staining are yeast infection, fleas and improper hygiene. Some dog breeds are also affected because of the water they drink. Try to resolve these factors first, so you can eliminate what causes your dog's tear stains.

Taking Out The Stain

Tear stains don't affect your dog's health, but they are very unsightly, more so if your dog's fur is light-colored. Thankfully, there are ways on how you can remove all those unsightly marks on your pooch's face so her beautiful face will shine again.

Baby Wipe It

If the stain isn't very severe yet, you can use baby wipes to remove it. Rub it gently on the affected parts, twice a day, during morning and evening. This will soften the crusties and you can easily comb them out. Unscented wipes are more advisable, since they are gentler, and won't hurt even if they touch your dog's eyes.

Dog Makeup

If you have an old eyeshadow or foundation that's the same shade as your dog's fur, use it to cover the stains. It's great as a temporary cover for those unpleasant marks, especially if your dog will be particpating ona dog show. Remember ---- this should only be used for a short time. Wash it immediately after the event.

Wash and Clean

They say that a clean dog is a happy dog, so make sure you always keep your pet well-groomed and healthy. Bathe her once or two times a week using an effective dog shampoo and scrub the stained areas thoroughly.

If your dog has long hair, like a Maltese or Shih Tzu, tie the fur part that hangs over her face. Hair that gets in the eyes can worsen eye irritation and tearing. Get a scrunchie or clip and tie the hair up in a ponytail. Not only will your dog be comfy and stain-free, but she'll also look prettier.

Doggy Diet

Sometimes, your dog's food may affect why tear stains appear on its face. For example, Bichon Frises become more teary eyed when their diet is abundant in grain. To solve this, take all grain-foods and switch to a raw diet instead. Just make sure your pet is still getting the nutrients it needs. If you want, you can buy dog food instead. Many dried or frozen grain-free dog foods are available on the market today.

Dog Products

When the stain problems become too severe to handle, many dog owners turn to dog stain removing products. Not only are they easy to use, but they also effectively take away those marks. Tear stain products come in two types: the topical and antibiotic powder. You can buy these in pet shops.

Topical stain removers are either powder, ointment or lotions and are applied directly on the affected parts. They're safe, although some brands can be harsh on your dog's skin if improperly used. You'll see the results in a few days or weeks.

Antibiotics are also very effective in removing tear stains, but instead of being applied on the dog's face, it's ingested. This comes as an all-natural powder mixed into the dog 's food. Many dog owners like this because it's more hassle-free, but very effective. After a week or two, the tear stains disappear.

Home Recipes

If you want to clear away those stains, but you don't have time to rush off to a pet shop, you can make your own cleaning solution. You'll be surprised at what you can do with typical household products. Whether light or extreme, the stains will fade away as long as you have the right mixture.

A boric acid solution is the most advisable remedy you can get. The main chemical, boric acid powder is often used for eye washes. If you don't have it at home, you can get it at a pharmacy. Take ¼ teaspoon of boric acid and dissolve it in ½ cup of boiling water.

When the solution is cool, get a cotton ball and wipe the stained part on your dog's face, at least two to three times a day. Don't let it get in your dog's eyes because it can be painful. Store the remaining solution in your fridge. After a few days, you'll see great improvement on the stains.

A dog shouldn't be marked for life with tear stains. If you're having this pet problem, try these methods. You'll appreciate all your efforts when you see your dog's cute, happy and stain-free face.