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The 10 Best Dog Tear Stain Removers to Reduce Reddish Marks
You may have noticed some eery seeming reddish-brown marks under the eyes of your white-breed dog. These tear stains are pretty common (though can indicate an underlying health issue), but can also be a bit unsightly. To get your dog back to its picture-perfect self, you can wipe them down with tear stain remover.
We’ve researched the best dog tear stain removers to help clean your pooch, taking into consideration both the ingredients, ease of application, and effectiveness. Here’s what we found.
- gentle
- removes gunk
- no rinsing
- wipe form
- easy to use
- safe
These easy-to-grab pads are a quick fix for removing tear stains or other eye irritation from your dog. The best part? The unique formula requires no rinsing for super easy clean up. The U.S.-made product is incredibly safe with featuring natural ingredients and no antibiotics.
Reviewers love how easy they are to grab and how they seem effecti...
Reviewers love how easy they are to grab and how they seem effective yet gentle on their pups' faces.
- wipe form
- easy to use
- safe
- gentle
- removes gunk
- no rinsing
These easy-to-grab pads are a quick fix for removing tear stains or other eye irritation from your dog. The best part? T...
Reviewers love how easy they are to grab and how they seem effective yet gentle on their pups' faces.
- tolerable
- removes irritants
- no rinsing
- reduces tear stain
- vet formulated
- safe
While this eye rinse is meant to remove irritants or dried mucus from dogs' eyes, it also can work as a tear stain remover with regular use. Made in the U.S. and formulated by veterinarians, it features both high quality and safe ingredients.
It has more than 170 Chewy reviews and an average 4.6-star rating with reviewers saying that it does a...
It has more than 170 Chewy reviews and an average 4.6-star rating with reviewers saying that it does a good job at reducing the appearance of tear stains and their dogs seem to tolerate having it rubbed on their face.
- reduces tear stain
- vet formulated
- safe
- tolerable
- removes irritants
- no rinsing
While this eye rinse is meant to remove irritants or dried mucus from dogs' eyes, it also can work as a tear stain remov...
It has more than 170 Chewy reviews and an average 4.6-star rating with reviewers saying that it does a good job at reducing the appearance of tear stains and their dogs seem to tolerate having it rubbed on their face.
- soothing
- works on wrinkles
- nonirritating
- multiple uses
- effective
- natural
This paste may be advertised for cleaning wrinkles and tail pockets, but it also does wonders for removing reddish marks and eye goop. It has a minimal, natural ingredient list, so even the most sensitive and allergy-prone pooch won't be irritated by it. Plus, it's healing to dry, damaged skin.
It has a 4.4-star rating and nearly 10,000 review...
It has a 4.4-star rating and nearly 10,000 reviews on Amazon with even Poodle owners swearing that it's incredible for getting rid tear stain on all kinds of dogs. Many refer to it as a miracle worker.
- multiple uses
- effective
- natural
- soothing
- works on wrinkles
- nonirritating
This paste may be advertised for cleaning wrinkles and tail pockets, but it also does wonders for removing reddish marks...
It has a 4.4-star rating and nearly 10,000 reviews on Amazon with even Poodle owners swearing that it's incredible for getting rid tear stain on all kinds of dogs. Many refer to it as a miracle worker.
- removes stains
- good ingredients
- vet approved
- removes gunk
- moisturizing
- quick
Watery and crusty eyes are no match for this vet-approved product. Using the eye cleaner regularly will help relieve tear stains, as well as to break and dissolve crust and discharge. It's also effective at relieving allergy symptoms, rinsing out dirt, and moisturizing dry eyes.
It has a 4.3-star rating from more than 300 Amazon reviews. Shopp...
It has a 4.3-star rating from more than 300 Amazon reviews. Shoppers say that its gentle while easily removing any gunk or stains near their dogs eyes.
- removes gunk
- moisturizing
- quick
- removes stains
- good ingredients
- vet approved
Watery and crusty eyes are no match for this vet-approved product. Using the eye cleaner regularly will help relieve tea...
It has a 4.3-star rating from more than 300 Amazon reviews. Shoppers say that its gentle while easily removing any gunk or stains near their dogs eyes.
- removes stains
- not irritating
- comfortable
- convenient
- natural
- easy
Designed with breeds with reddish-brown stains in mind, this eye cleaner not only works to remove those dreaded marks but to also prevent them from happening again. The presoaked pads contain a natural solution made from the highest quality plant-derived ingredients and won't cause irritation. For best results, they should be used daily.
Chewy...
Chewy reviewers love how convenient these pads are and that they really get the gunk out.
- convenient
- natural
- easy
- removes stains
- not irritating
- comfortable
Designed with breeds with reddish-brown stains in mind, this eye cleaner not only works to remove those dreaded marks bu...
Chewy reviewers love how convenient these pads are and that they really get the gunk out.
- gentle
- soothing
- safe
- reduces redness
- natural
- veterinarian formula
This water based solution is gentle enough for daily use but is still strong enough to significantly reduce the appearance of tear marks. It uses ingredients like cucumber and aloe for soothing and has a Tylosin-free formula, meaning it's safe and non-irritating. Better yet, it's veterinarian formulated and manufactured in the U.S. in an FDA audited, cGMP-co...
Reviewers say it works especially well at removing the crust in their dogs' eyes.
- reduces redness
- natural
- veterinarian formula
- gentle
- soothing
- safe
This water based solution is gentle enough for daily use but is still strong enough to significantly reduce the appearan...
Reviewers say it works especially well at removing the crust in their dogs' eyes.
- dries area
- prevents future stains
- not irritating
- powder formula
- enhancing
- bleach-free
Unlike other tear stain removers, this one has a unique powder formula as opposed to a liquid one. After cleaning the eye area, following up with this enhancing powder helps keep the area dry. This will repelling those nasty stains by preventing the regrowth of bacteria that leads to tear stains. It's bleach-free and is ideal for breeds with white or light c...
Dog owners recommend it for when liquid tear stain remover alone isn't enough to keep their pooch streak free.
- powder formula
- enhancing
- bleach-free
- dries area
- prevents future stains
- not irritating
Unlike other tear stain removers, this one has a unique powder formula as opposed to a liquid one. After cleaning the ey...
Dog owners recommend it for when liquid tear stain remover alone isn't enough to keep their pooch streak free.
- smells good
- safe
- clears up fast
- natural
- veterinarian recommended
- free of fragrances
This natural, pH balanced formula is a fan favorite with more than 4,000 reviews on Amazon. It's veterinarian recommended and free of fragrances and dyes, but instead uses ingredients like chamomile to remove stains naturally. Buyers said they noticed a difference after just a few days of consistent use.
- natural
- veterinarian recommended
- free of fragrances
- smells good
- safe
- clears up fast
This natural, pH balanced formula is a fan favorite with more than 4,000 reviews on Amazon. It's veterinarian recommende...
- easy
- non-stinging
- no-fuss
- U.S.-made
- effective
- easy to travel with
These quick and easy disposable eye wash pads are ideal for no-fuss stain removing. The sterile eye wash pads are have non-stinging formula safe to use around the eye and are made entirely in the U.S. One reviewer recommends using it in conjunction with a flea comb to brush out the stained area after soaking it with the remover.
Because of it'...
Because of it's effectiveness, it's earned nearly 700 Amazon reviews and an 4.4-star rating.
- U.S.-made
- effective
- easy to travel with
- easy
- non-stinging
- no-fuss
These quick and easy disposable eye wash pads are ideal for no-fuss stain removing. The sterile eye wash pads are have n...
Because of it's effectiveness, it's earned nearly 700 Amazon reviews and an 4.4-star rating.
- quick
- easy
- clear
- no-fuss
- fast acting
- easy to use
Reviewers swear by this clear stain remover, which can be applied to a cotton ball to clean the eye area. It's formulated to remove tear stains and other discoloration from the fur and it works. Some shoppers have noticed major difference after just one use.
- no-fuss
- fast acting
- easy to use
- quick
- easy
- clear
Reviewers swear by this clear stain remover, which can be applied to a cotton ball to clean the eye area. It's formulate...
- good scent
- natural
- no rinse
- coconut
- soap-free
- cleans well
With a pleasant vanilla scent, this cleaner uses natural ingredients like blueberries to brighten coats and gently remove tear stains. The coconut cleanser is also soap-free, meaning it won't have to be rinsed after. Reviewers claim that using it regularly with grooming keeps their pooch's fur looking as good as new.
- coconut
- soap-free
- cleans well
- good scent
- natural
- no rinse
With a pleasant vanilla scent, this cleaner uses natural ingredients like blueberries to brighten coats and gently remov...
What to Know About Dog Tear Stain Removers
While mostly an aesthetic problem, dog tear stains can be a frustrating thing for many white-breed dog owners. Though not always 100 percent effective, tear stain removers can help significantly reduce the appearance of brown-reddish marks while being safe near your dogs eyes. Here's what to consider before choosing one.
Type
The major types of cleaners are liquids, wipes, and powders. The variety you opt for is dependent on your lifestyle and what's easiest for you.
- Liquid: Acting similarly to makeup remover, the liquid remover usually requires some sort of application with a cotton ball and may involve a bit of soaking or light rubbing. Some are also rinse-free, making it easier to deal with a fussy dog.
- Wipes: These pre-soaked pads are very easy to use. You'll just need to wipe the affected area with the pads to remove any sightly marks. They do tend to be a bit more expensive than other removers and need to stay closed tight or it will dry out.
- Powders: Some cleaners come in a powdered form that can be applied to your dogs face as well to help brighten the area and dry out the spot to prevent bacteria and more tear stains from appearing.
Ingredients
Because the solution with be near your dog's eyes, look for natural, non-irritating ingredients like lemongrass, coconut, and aloe. Avoid harsh chemicals like alcohol and sulfates, and try to find a non-sudsy, no-rinse formula thats less likely to get into your dog's eyes.
Scent
Perfumes and fragrances can be overwhelming to dogs and potentially irritating. Some removers are more naturally scented like vanilla or lavender while others are odorless. But if you can smell anything harsh, your dog certainly can.
Effectiveness
Note that the effectiveness of a stain remover depends a lot on the color and type of coat your dog has. Lighter fur may show the tear stains more strongly and thicker coats can be harder to clean. Regularly cleans will provide your best results, and when in doubt you can always trim the reddish fur to remove it.
Also, look for a cleaner that will prevent future stains to make the cleaning task less difficult moving forward.
Trimming the area will immediately remove any stains. But if you don't want to cut down their fur, using a canine eye wash will clean the area and reduce the appearance.
Most of the reddish-brown discoloration isn't permanent, though left untreated, they may be harder to remove. They can also indicate an underlying health issue.
Some people recommend using a teaspoon of distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar to your dog's water to increase the acidity of your dog's body pH, which will reduce staining overtime.