The Best Dog Tear Stain Remover

Our dogs are beautiful to us, no matter what. However, no one likes to see unsightly tear stains on their poor pooch’s face. Although tear stains are a pretty common dog issue to deal with, they’re not something you want your pup to constantly deal with. After all, these tear stains aren’t just an eye sore, they can literally harbor pathogens that can be harmful to our dog’s eyes.

So how do you get rid of tear stains? We have put together a list of the best dog tear stain remover products on the market right now. Every product here will help to reduce or even remove tear staining and stop these unsightly marks from returning.

Tear stains are caused by a chemical in dog tears and some breeds, such as the poodle, are more prone to getting them. You can try to prevent them by feeding your dog a good diet, doing regular grooming, and keeping the eye area dry. However, if you do need to use some dog tear remover we have you covered with the best choice of products.

Top Picks: The Best Dog Tear Stain Removers Today

#1. Best Overall: TropiClean Spa Tear Stain Cleanser for Dogs

At the top of our list of tear stain removers is the TropiClean Spa Tear Stain Cleanser for Dogs. Many reviewers appreciate that it both cleans and freshens your dog’s coat using only gentle and natural ingredients. Additionally, it can be used on dogs of all breeds and all ages over 12 weeks. It stands out from other products on the market because it contains only natural ingredients so it is completely safe for your pooch. It is also quite reasonably priced and made in the USA. 

It uses a blend of coconut, blueberry, and vanilla to clean, hydrate and exfoliate the skin and coat it with a light foaming action. It’s completely free from soap but has a whitening effect that brightens the coat leaving it clean and fresh and ready for doggy kisses! As well as tear stains, use it to remove marks in beards, eye pockets, and wrinkles – you can even use it on your cat.

However, it is important to note that the cleanser is scented. This may be irritating to some dogs who are particularly sensitive to scents.

Pros and Cons of the TropiClean Spa Tear Stain Cleanser for Dogs

Overall Best

TropiClean Spa Tear Stain Cleanser for Dogs

• Suitable for all breeds
• Contains only natural ingredients
• Clean, hydrate and exfoliate the skin
• Contain no soap

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2. Easiest To Use: Angels’ Eyes Gentle Tear Stain Wipes for Dogs

For owners who want a quick way to remove tear stains without having to lather up a liquid on their pup’s face, we recommend Angels’ Eyes Gentle Tear Stain Wipes for Dogs. They are ideal for dogs who don’t enjoy sitting still to be groomed. Each pot has 100 wipes and you can use one every day to clean the area around the eyes. This helps to remove a lot of the gunk and debris in the eye and, just as importantly, helps prevent it from coming back.

These wipes stand out because they are textured and are already moist and ready to use out of the pot. It takes just a few seconds to use them, making them the quickest-to-use product on our list. They are highly effective at gently removing mucus secretions. There’s also no need to rinse! Additionally, the wipes do not use any bleaching agents or artificial ingredients. There is also chamomile and aloe vera added to the formula to help soothe your dog’s skin. 

Although these are great for cleaning out the eyes and preventing secretions from hardening, some reviewers felt that these wipes didn’t help lighten already stained eyes well enough.

Pros and Cons of the Angels’ Eyes Gentle Tear Stain Wipes for Dogs

Easiest To Use

Angels' Eyes Gentle Tear Stain Wipes for Dogs

• Wipe away tear stain with the wipe
• Ready to use
• Contains juniper berry oil
• Reduce eye irritations

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3. Best Soothing Remover: Cliny Universal Pet Eye Wash Cleaner

For dogs that have irritated or inflamed eyes as well as tear staining, the best product for you is the Cliny Universal Pet Eye Wash Cleaner. It contains several ingredients that you do not find in most other tear-stain products. Since it has been developed by vets you can be confident that it will tackle both irritation and staining.

The eyewash contains boric acid to disinfect and relieve inflammation and it also has additional disinfection properties provided by silver ions. Sodium chloride gently disinfects the area around the eyes without using antibiotics. Additionally, taurine and panthenol heal and regenerate. You simply wipe the area with the eyewash once or twice a week to maintain eye hygiene and keep staining at bay. Some reviewers, however, did not like the fact that you cannot apply the wash directly to the eye area. Reviewers felt that this prevented the product from lasting as long as they would have liked.

Pros and Cons of the Cliny Universal Pet Eye Wash Cleaner

Best Soothing Remover

Cliny Universal Pet Eye Wash Cleaner

• Treats irritated or inflamed eyes
• Developed by vets
• Contains boric acid to disinfect
• Contains taurine and panthenol

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4. Best Budget: Burt’s Bees for Dogs Tear Stain Remover

Our choice for a no-frills but highly effective tear stain remover that gets the job done without breaking the bank is the Burt’s Bees for Dogs Tear Stain Remover. This product happens to be a part of a wide range of Burt’s Bees grooming products. This is one for dog owners who are not in too much of a hurry to see results because it takes around 15-30 days of daily use for there to be a noticeable difference.

It is very easy to use – just wipe it on with a cotton ball and clean your dog’s eye area. Even better is that there is no need to rinse. The ingredients list features natural ingredients including chamomile to gently soothe and calm and there are no artificial fragrances or sulfates. Many reviewers noted that their dogs love this formula and don’t put up a fight when attempting to clean their eye area. However, since this formula takes a bit of time to see results, this isn’t recommended as the best option for dogs with white fur.

Pros and Cons of the Burt’s Bees for Dogs Tear Stain Remover

Best Budget

Burt's Bees for Dogs Tear Stain Remover

• Highly effective
• Very affordable option
• Very easy to use
• Contains natural ingredients like chamomile

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5. Best Fast Action: Eye Envy Dog Tear Stain Remover Starter Kit

Owners looking for quick results will love the Eye Envy Dog Tear Stain Remover Starter Kit. This eye stain remover kit delivers visible results in just seven days! It delivers faster results than most other products but you do have to follow several stages every day. So, it is suited to owners who are serious about getting rid of tear stains and are prepared to spend some time every day on the treatment.

In the kit, you get Eye Envy solution, dry application pads, and a jar of application powder. It’s a two-step system – the solution cleans the area and the powder soaks up excess moisture to prevent fresh staining. Completely natural ingredients (including colloidal silver) tackle the bacteria that cause staining without the need to use harsh chemicals, antibiotics, or bleach. You can use this on dogs of all ages.

Pros and Cons of the Eye Envy Dog Tear Stain Remover Starter Kit

Best Fast Action

Eye Envy Dog Tear Stain Remover Starter Kit

• Visible results in 7 days
• Completely natural ingredients
• For dogs of all ages
• No chemicals, antibiotics, or bleach

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6. Best Oral Remover: Angels’ Eyes Natural Chicken Flavored Soft Chew

For pet parents looking to treat tear stains from the inside and out, try the Angels’ Eyes Natural Chicken Flavored Soft Chew. Oral tear stain removers are the easiest to administer and require the least input from you as a dog owner. If this sounds good to you, we recommend you check out the Angels’ Eyes tear stain soft chews. However, if your dog is pregnant or nursing or if they are taking other medication you should always check with your vet before giving these to them.

Dogs love the chicken taste of the chews so taking one every day will not be an issue. Larger dogs can take up to three chews a day and it takes between three to five weeks for you to see a difference. The ingredients include cranberry powder, Oregon grape root, marshmallow root, and colostrum powder. What’s more, you won’t find any artificial colors, wheat, corn, or soy. The only real downside we came across is that some dogs simply didn’t like the taste and thus refused to eat them.

Pros and Cons of the Angels’ Eyes Natural Chicken Flavored Soft Chew

Best Oral Remover

Angels' Eyes Natural Chicken Flavored Soft Chew

• Comes in chicken taste chew
• No artificial colors, wheat, corn, or soy
• See results in 3 to 5 weeks
• Can be used for both cats and dogs

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How to Choose the Best Dog Tear Stain Remover

When choosing the best tear stain remover for your gorgeous dog, there are a number of things that you should look out for. After all, not every dog will respond well to the same ingredients and application methods. Some dogs don’t mind if you pat down their face, while others absolutely hate it. Others would do better with a soft chew treat as they prefer to eat their way to healthier eyes! If you’re feeling overwhelmed about choosing the best dog tear stain remover, don’t fret – we’ve got you covered. 

When it comes to choosing the best dog tear stain remover, the following factors should be taken into consideration: 

• Ingredients 
• Method of application 
• Frequency of application 
• Results time 

We’ll take a look at each of these factors in more detail below:

Ingredients

Tear stain removers are either ingested orally or applied to a super-sensitive part of the body — the eye area of the face. This means that they should only contain ingredients that will not cause harm or irritation. Natural ingredients are always the best choice. So look for things like coconut, colloidal silver, and chamomile. Avoid artificial colors, fragrances, wheat, soy, and harsh chemicals that can irritate your dog.

Method of Application

This is a matter of personal preference. Some owners prefer a wash that lathers up and is rinsed off. Others prefer a solution that you leave on and others prefer wipes. Your other options are also a powder or an oral treatment. It all depends on how much time you have and how compliant your dog is.

Frequency of Application

Again, you have several options here. Many of the products have to be administered every day so it is something you will need to add to your daily grooming routine. Others are used every three to five days and you may find this easier to cope with.

Results Time

With fast-acting products, you can expect to see a difference within a week. The slowest-acting can take up to five weeks. If your pooch has a special event coming up and they need to look their best in a hurry, the fast-acting products are your best choice and we have highlighted these above.

The 5 Different Types of Dog Tear Stain Removers

There are several types of tear stain removers to choose from. Each is better suited to different dogs and different lifestyles. As one can expect, each different type also has its own pros and cons associated with it. 

The most common pros and cons include: 

• Tear stain remover wash/shampoo — Easy to use as a part of bath time. Washes off so nothing stays in contact with the skin for too long. Inexpensive. Sold in large quantities. Usually has a nice fragrance. Not all dogs like frequent baths. Not as effective as most other types of products. 
• Tear stain remover solution — Easy to apply with a cotton pad. Most do not need to be rinsed. Most are made with natural ingredients. May also soothe irritated skin. Takes weeks to see an effect. Need to be applied every day. 
• Tear stain removing wipes — Convenient to store and use. No rinse is needed. Easy to use. Pads are textured to help with the application. More expensive than a solution. Creates more waste. Can take a long time to work. 
• Tear staining removal kits — Most effective of all the products. Starts to work in just days. Most contain anti-bacterial ingredients. Requires several steps including the application of powder. Time-consuming every day. Most expensive option.
• Tear stain removing chews — Easiest for the dog owner. Contains natural ingredients. Very slow acting. Can cause an upset stomach. Not the most effective.

4 Types of Dogs Most Likely to Suffer From Tear Stains

Dogs that are most likely to get tear stains can be divided into four categories. All of these dogs have some characteristics that make them more susceptible to tear stains whether it’s due to factors that prevent the tears from draining correctly or simply having a coat that makes staining more visible. 

These 4 types of dogs include:

Flat-Faced Breeds

Dogs with flat faces have a short distance between their eyes and their nose. Due to this, they often have narrow and crooked tear ducts so tears do not drain correctly. These breeds also have very round and bulging eyes which is super cute but it also means that they cannot shut their eyelids properly which makes their eyes water. This group includes bulldogs, boxers, pugs, Pekingese, and Maltese dogs.

Breeds With Congenital Tear-Duct Abnormalities

Some breeds are more likely to have a genetic defect that causes the tear ducts to be underdeveloped. The medical name is the imperforate punctum. Within this group, you will find some of the most popular pet dog breeds including cocker spaniels, poodles, Labradors, and golden retrievers.

Breeds With Long Facial Hair

Long hair around the eyes can make them water more than normal. The cocker spaniels and poodles are also in this group as are the schnauzers and dachshunds. However, you will also find the West Highland terriers whose coarse hair is more likely to grow inwards which makes eye-watering and tear staining even more likely.

White-Coated Dog Breeds

Any dog breed that can have a white face (and that covers a whole lot of breeds) can have an issue with tear staining. Their coat shows off the stains more easily than darker-coated dogs. You may have noticed that some dogs, including a white poodle, would fall into three of these categories. Therefore, as an owner of a poodle with a white coat, tear staining is an issue that you will probably encounter at some stage.

How to Prevent Dog Tear Stains

Prevention is better than a cure! Here are our top tips for preventing your pooch from getting tear stains:

• General health checks. Get any infections promptly treated and take your dog for regular check-ups.
• Diet. A high-quality diet reduces porphyrin production (the chemical that causes staining) so transition your dog to nutritionally rich and balanced dog food.
• Water. Tap water is better than puddles which could introduce bacteria to the face. If you have a high mineral content in your water consider giving your dog bottled water as minerals can make staining worse.
• Facial grooming. Regular appointments at the groomers to keep hair clipped around the face and eyes.
• Facial hygiene. Clean the area around the eyes every day with an appropriate cleaner.
• Replace plastic food bowls. The tiny scratches in plastic food bowls can harbor bacteria that make staining worse. Replace them with porcelain or stainless steel.

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