Does your Shih Tzu have dark and crusty stains under its eyes? Discover why Shih Tzus get tear stains and learn how to get rid of them and prevent their recurrence.
Many Shih Tzus develop tear stains, but they often go unnoticed until they become a problem. Initially, tear stains may appear as a small area of damp fur under the eyes, but they can accumulate over time, causing irritating and unsightly discoloration.
Maintaining a regular and consistent grooming routine for your Shih Tzu is one of the best ways to monitor your dog’s eye health and detect issues early on. However, understanding the causes of tear stains can help prevent them from becoming a recurring problem.
Shih Tzu owners often seek advice on how to address the confusing and frustrating issue of tear stains. If you search online for “tear stain,” you’ll find various products, ideas, and suggestions claiming to correct or prevent the staining. The fact that there are so many products available means that there is no one magical treatment or approach that works for all Shih Tzus.
What are tear stains?
The red/brown discoloration in tears (Figures 1 and 2) comes from porphyrin. Porphyrins are iron-containing molecules produced when the body breaks down iron. Porphyrins are excreted in the gastrointestinal tract, urine, saliva, and TEARS!
All Shih Tzus have some porphyrin in their tears, but some Shih Tzus have more porphyrin, and the coloring is more noticeable in white or light-colored Shih Tzus.
Figure 1. Tear staining in a middle-aged Shih Tzu.
Figure 2. Tear staining in a middle-aged Shih Tzu.
Should I be worried if my Shih Tzu has tear stains?
Well, it depends on the underlying cause.
Tear stains in Shih Tzus usually occur due to an excess of porphyrin, a pigment naturally present in a dog’s tears, saliva, or urine. Typically, it’s the porphyrin pigment in a dog’s tears that causes these red/brown stains. In this case, your Shih Tzu won’t experience pain, and it isn’t harmful to their health.
Tear stains can become uncomfortable when excessive moisture on the face leads to bacterial growth and infections. Additionally, dried tear stains can lead to the buildup of crusts on the fur, which can itch or irritate your Shih Tzu.
What causes tear stains in Shih Tzus?
A common misconception about tear staining is that it occurs due to excessive tear production. Most Shih Tzus with tear stains have normal tear production and do not have an underlying eye problem.
Many Shih Tzus have a normal variation in eyelid conformation that causes tears to flow onto the face instead of through the tear ducts.
Here are some other characteristics that can make your dog more prone to tear staining:
– White or light-colored Shih Tzus
– Shih Tzus with prominent eyes and congested nasal passages
– Shih Tzus with long facial hair
– Shih Tzus prone to eye infections
– Shih Tzus with food allergies
Other reasons for tear stains in Shih Tzus are caused by what’s happening inside their bodies. Some health conditions, such as allergies or diseases, can contribute to Shih Tzu tear stains. Understanding the causes of canine tear stains will be the first step in treating and preventing them.
How to get rid of tear stains in Shih Tzus
A common question among Shih Tzu owners is “How do I get rid of tear stains?” or “Is there a natural home remedy I can use to clean my Shih Tzu’s tear stains?” Here are some treatment options for dealing with tear stains in Shih Tzus:
✔ Test your tap water. If it contains high levels of iron and other minerals, switch to distilled or bottled water for your Shih Tzu.
✔ Talk to your veterinarian about tear stains and ask them to rule out any possible medical conditions.
✔ Consider your Shih Tzu’s breed and any physical characteristics that may contribute to tear stains.
✔ Evaluate your Shih Tzu’s environment and look for possible triggers. Avoid smoking, incense, air fresheners, and other potential eye irritants for your Shih Tzu.
✔ Monitor your puppy throughout the teething process. Consult with your veterinarian to ensure your Shih Tzu’s teething is progressing normally.
✔ Keep the fur around the eyes and nose as short as possible.
✔ Keep the face clean and dry. A natural home remedy for treating tear stains in Shih Tzus is to use a warm towel and baby shampoo. These are safe to use for cleaning around the eyes. There are also many types of eyelid and lash cleaning sponges that can be used to clean the face and around the eyes.
✔ Contact lens solution can be used to clean around the eyes – not in the eyes! The boric acid in the contact lens solution oxidizes the iron in porphyrins and can lighten the staining. After washing the face, always dry the area with a clean towel to prevent secondary ulcerative dermatitis from damp skin.
✔ Products containing tylosin claim to treat or prevent tear stains. The effect of tylosin is unpredictable and often has intermittent efficacy. Since tylosin is an antibiotic, there is controversy regarding its use for cosmetic purposes due to potential drug resistance. There is also controversy regarding the addition of tylosin to over-the-counter products that may not list it as an ingredient or identify the amount of tylosin in the product.
✔ Many probiotic supplements also claim to reduce tear staining.
Shih Tzus with tear stains should be evaluated by their veterinarian to determine if there is an underlying eye problem that requires specific treatment. If tear staining is secondary to conformation, the treatment plan may include referral to an ophthalmologist to rule out underlying eye disease and discuss possible surgical options.
Shih Tzus with constant eye irritation would produce an abnormal amount of fluid to try to clean their eyes from debris and irritation. This is more than the tear ducts can remove and would result in constant tear staining.