Some shih tzus, especially those with lighter colored fur may develop tear stains below their eyes. It’s not only an unpleasant look for your shih tzu, but it may also cause an unpleasant odor as well. For many shih tzu owners, there may seemingly be nothing to do about it.
Although unsightly, the tears which cause the tear stains usually does not contain any substances that harm your shih tzu, they only discolor the fur. This means that they can be safely ignored if you desire. However, there are ways you can clean away tear stains when you use the right products and techniques.
But before you begin it is important to know why it is happening.
What Causes Tear Stains?
There are several reasons why tear stains are happening with your shih tzu. Identifying them can help you solve the issue and in some cases prevent it from returning. Some of the common reasons include but are not limited to the following.
- Ingrown eyelash
- Inverted eyelid
- Hair growing too close to the eye
- Poor draining of tear ducts
- Allergies
- Eye infection
The ingrown eyelash and the hair growing near the eye will usually result in tear stains that mostly come from one eye. The inverted eyelid is known as entropion and will cause either excessive amounts of tears or puncta being blocked. The latter mean that instead of the tears draining through the ducts, they come out below the eyes.
Infections are fairly straightforward as they have other signs which can be treated using the proper medications. You should check with your vet to see which ones work best for this condition. However, previous eye infections may lead to the buildup of scar tissue which results in the tear ducts being blocked.
Allergies may cause excessing tearing as well. Conditions such as dust, smoke, or pollen may be irritating the eyes or nose of your shih tzu. Plus, they may be suffering from food allergies such as gluten which may also cause excessive production of tears as well. Address the allergies and you stop the tears from creating stains.
A condition more noted to pugs is your shih tzu having shallow eye sockets. In other words, the eye sockets do not contain enough room to hold all the tears before they can be drained into the tear ducts. However, this condition is fairly rare for shih tzus and little can be done anyway.
In addition, it might be the sign of a more serious condition such as glaucoma. But for the most part the reasons for tear stains may be minor and easily correctable. Still, if you cannot identify why it is happening, you should have your vet check it out.
Removing Tear Duct Stains
Once you have addressed why the stains are happening, you can now remove them using inexpensive products. Just be sure not to get any of them in the eye of your shih tzu. Instead, apply one of the following products to a clean cloth and wipe them into the fur and steer clear of their eyes.
- Apple Cider or White Vinegar
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Milk of Magnesia
Infection: If you add a teaspoon of white or apple cider vinegar to your shih tzu’s water bowl, it will increase the acidity levels of the pH in your dog. The result is that your shih tzu will not only stop the tearing process, but actually prevent yeast or bacteria infections from forming.
Although most shih tzus will have little problem with apple cider or white vinegar in their water bowl, you may want to start with a smaller amount at first and then judge the results. Once you feel comfortable adding more, do so but never exceed the recommended amount.
What makes the vinegar a good purchase is that it can be kept at room temperature for a long time with little chance of degradation. Plus, it has many other uses as well.
Removing Stains from the Fur: Here, you can mix equal parts of milk of magnesia and hydrogen peroxide and combine them with a little cornstarch. This will create a paste that can be rubbed into the stained areas. Let it sit for about four hours and then wash it out with water. A “cone of shame” may be needed to keep your shih tzu from rubbing it out too early.
In addition, you can use hydrogen peroxide alone when you mix one part of it with ten parts of water. Apply it carefully to the stained areas. The mixture will penetrate the fur and remove the staining relatively quickly.
Baking Soda: Along with vinegar, baking soda seems to have many uses. It’s main attribute is that it dissolves organic substances that causes odors. You may want to brush a little baking soda in the fur of your shih tzu to fully eliminate the odor generated by the tear stains. In fact, you can sprinkle a little baking soda on their fur from time to time and brush to remove other odors as well.
Cleaning the Fur
Keep in mind that you can use a soft cloth, toothbrush, or regular dog brush to apply the cleaner to their fur. You’ll want to start further away from their eyes and work your way closer, but never get too close. It is best to err on the side of caution in this regard.
You can also purchase specific products from your pet store designed to remove tear staining. Pet stores usually have a line of products and your vet may recommend one or more of them. Considering that the cause of the tearing may change over time, you should keep some around just in case it happens again. Or you can simply use one of the cheaper products available for cleaning.
You should take care to never allow any product to reach your shih tzu’s eyes. If you do not want to do the job yourself, ask your pet groomer to do it for you. The result will be no more tear stains for your shih tzu.
