Having tears in an animal’s eyes is a normal response to boredom, irritation, or dust. All dogs release tears at some point. However, it is so clear in white hair dogs that it may affect their looks around the eye, nose, and chin areas. This may not be a problem for other dogs. But, extreme wetness around the eye area on Maltese may result in bacterial infections and discoloration.
Pet owners love the Maltese for its color, milk-white. However, a few breed and environmental factors trigger tear streams. Do you want to know the causes of tear stains on Maltese? Let’s dive in.
What Causes Tear Stains on Maltese
Maltese and Shih Tzu dogs have a smaller face as a result of distant breeding, and their tear duct holes are quite superficial than in other dogs. This is the reason they tend to shed tears more often. As much as other causes play a part, we need to know how to remove the tear stains. First, let’s find out the other causes of extreme tear stains in Maltese.
Long lashes may lodge in the eyes
The dog is quite hairy. Sometimes, the long hair grows on the skin around the eyelids. Unless you trim the lashes, they get into their eyes and trigger tear streams.
Exposure to allergens
The component of your dog’s diet should be grain-free or contain traces. Gluten in grains is the major cause of allergy in dogs. Besides, additives and fillers in premium dog food may also offset allergic reactions and excess tears.
Eye infections
Vet checks should come first before you make any other assumptions on the causes of tear stains. There may be bacterial or fungi infections. If that’s the case, you should receive the right treatment to stop the tears.
Imbalanced diet
Your dog should have a rich supply of protein, vitamins, and minerals for all-around development. The right foods should prevent allergic reactions while creating a smooth and healthy coat. Always get a verified supplier of your Maltese diet.
Tooth loss
Teething in puppies is troublesome and is sometimes characterized by lots of tear streams. That being the case, tear stains should stop after the period.
Now, tear stains become contagious over time. The wet face exposes your pooch to serious bacterial and yeast infections. Besides that, hair discoloration makes your dog look frustrated.
You should find out the reasons behind the excess streams and address the major cause. Our experts recommend several ways to deal with tear stains on Maltese. We are here to provide possible remedies to this problem. Let’s go.
How to remove tear stains on Maltese
Various experts offer solutions ranging from maintenance of your pups to drug supplements. However, not all may work for you unless you are sure about your Maltese’s problem. Therefore, here is what our vet doctors recommend.
1. Balanced meals
A nutrient-rich diet ensures that your dog is not in distress. His diet should be rich in protein, minerals, and vitamins to boost his immunity. It should also be free of grain, filler, or additives, which are the main triggers of allergy.
2. Avoid plastic utensils
Traces of plastic in Maltese’s food offset skin irritation. You don’t want your puppy itching and chewing on his toes.
Solution: Let your dog use aluminum, stainless steel, or ceramic drinkers and bowls to avoid traces of foreign material in his food.
3. Schedule for groom visits
The white hairy face looks amazing. However, you should trim the hair around his eyes that may lodge in if it’s too long. Besides that, let your dog have proper hair drying. You should blow dry or comb it away from the face to avoid hair disruptions in the eye area.
There are also special combs for dog hair that can help keep Maltese’s hair in order.
4. Use stain removing wipes
This is one way to keep the small face clean. You can rid him of the stains using special wipes to keep his face dry. It is also a way to reduce dumpiness that may be a habitat for yeast and bacteria.
5. Wipe the eye area and chins with whitener products
Of all the liquids and powders for clearing the stain, boric acid is one of the best. It reduces the reddish stain and makes it appear light while also being non-abrasive.
Most importantly, ensure that it does not get into the eye. Rosewater and chamomile are also great options. With all the possible whitening products, avoid dyes, as they do not address serious issues like infections.
6. Schedule for vet checks to assess for the possibility of infection
The thing is before you try all these products, a vet’s examination should first confirm that your Maltese does not have any infection. If any, a prescription of antibiotics helps to treat bacterial infections.
However, if it’s a yeast infection eye problems like glaucoma, your vet should also give directions on how to treat the tear stains on Maltese.
7. Keep your dog clean
White hair dogs need lots of attention to maintain their coats. You should keep closing the tear-stain wipes or cloth to maintain the face and chin area dry. On the other hand, powders such as corn starch should maintain Maltese’s face dry, assuming it’s a normal tear stain.
Do Tear Stains On Dogs Go Away?
The best way to deal with tear stains is to reduce their production. You can wipe your dog’s face two to three times per day to maintain a clean face. Besides that, trimming long hair while cleaning with boric acid reduces the concentration and intensity of the stain.
However, if the tear stain is a result of a yeast or bacterial infection, following up on treatment with supplements can stop the tear streams.
Conclusion
Your white dogs should not lose their face beauty to tear stains. A little help from your vet and pet groomers should keep your dog happy and clean at all times. Other than that, you can also practice any of the above remedies and remove tear stains on your Maltese. We hope that our solutions should help you maintain a beautiful pooch.
