Why White Dogs Get Tear Stains – And How to Prevent Them Naturally
Posted by Jewel on May 14, 2025
Why Do White Dogs Get Tear Stains?
If you have a white or light-colored dog, you’ve probably noticed those reddish-brown stains under their eyes. Tear stains are common, but they can be a sign that the body is out of balance.
Here's what's happening:
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Tears contain waste: Your dog's tears help flush out toxins and waste from the body. When the tears overflow or stay trapped in the fur, the moisture combined with waste products can cause staining.
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Porphyrins: These are natural compounds found in tears, saliva, and urine. Porphyrins contain iron, and when they are exposed to air, they oxidize and cause reddish or brown stains.
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Blocked tear ducts: Some dogs, especially smaller breeds, have tiny or blocked tear ducts, which means tears spill over instead of draining properly.
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Yeast Overgrowth: The dampness under the eyes can create a perfect breeding ground for yeast (especially Red Yeast), making the staining worse and causing odor.
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Food and water quality: Diets high in processed foods, chemicals, and poor-quality ingredients can cause inflammation and contribute to excess tearing. Also tap water has inorganic minerals that can contribute to the problem
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Environmental irritants: Dust, smoke, cleaning chemicals, or allergens can irritate your dog’s eyes and lead to extra tearing.
How to Prevent Tear Stains Holistically
Instead of reaching for chemical cleaners or harsh treatments, you can naturally support your dog's health from the inside out:
1. Feed a Fresh, Raw, Natural Diet
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Processed kibble can cause inflammation and toxicity buildup. So can canned foods.
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Feeding a fresh, species appropriate raw diet will help support a healthy immune system and reduce waste products in the tears.
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Avoid any snacks or treat foods with dyes, fillers, and additives.
Example: Switching from a dry kibble to a a raw meat, bone and organ diet, with some added greens supplements like blue green algae, chlorella or spirulina and some blueberries (see more about the greens and blueberries below) can help reduce internal inflammation that triggers tearing.
2. Filter Their Water
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Tap water often contains chlorine, fluoride, and heavy metals.
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Use distilled, filtered or spring water for your dog to minimize exposure to these irritants.
Why it matters: Clean water reduces the toxin load on the kidneys and liver, helping keep the body cleaner overall — fewer toxins mean fewer tear stains.
3. Support Detoxification
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Liver and kidney support can be powerful. Herbs like milk thistle and dandelion root help the body flush out toxins more efficiently.
Simple Idea: Add a sprinkle of dandelion leaf powder to meals a few times a week.
4. Use Natural Eye Cleansing
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Gently wipe around the eyes daily with a soft cloth soaked in colloidal silver or herbal chamomile tea.
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Always dry the area afterward to prevent moisture buildup.
Colloidal silver naturally fights yeast and bacteria without harsh chemicals.
5. Boost Immune Health
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Add immune-supporting supplements like probiotics and medicinal mushrooms.
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A stronger immune system naturally reduces yeast overgrowth and inflammation.
6. Blueberries for Tear Stain Prevention
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Rich in Antioxidants:
Blueberries are packed with powerful antioxidants that help fight oxidative stress — the internal "rusting" that happens when the body deals with toxins, inflammation, and environmental irritants. Less oxidative stress means fewer waste products building up in the tears. -
Supports Immune Health:
A strong immune system can better handle allergens, irritants, and yeast — three big contributors to tear staining. Blueberries contain natural Vitamin C, fiber, and phytonutrients that boost your dog's overall defenses. -
Anti-Inflammatory Benefits:
Chronic low-grade inflammation inside the body often shows up as tear stains outside the body. Blueberries help cool down that internal fire naturally.
How to Safely Add Blueberries
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Fresh or Frozen: Offer 3–5 organic blueberries daily for a small dog.
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Mash or Mix: You can mash them into meals or offer them as treats.
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Moderation: Don't overdo it — too much fruit can cause tummy upset.
Tip: Always choose organic, because conventionally grown berries can carry pesticide residues, which defeat the purpose of "detoxing" the body!
In short:
Blueberries are a simple, safe, and tasty way to support tear stain prevention — naturally, from the inside out.
7. The Power of Green Superfoods for Tear Stain Prevention
Yes — adding green supplements like blue-green algae, chlorella, and spirulina can help reduce internal inflammation that triggers excess tearing and tear stains! ?
Here’s why:
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Deep Cellular Detox:
These green superfoods act like a natural "sponge," helping to soak up heavy metals, toxins, and pollutants that can irritate the body and trigger eye discharge. -
Rich in Chlorophyll:
Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plants that naturally helps alkalize the body. A more alkaline environment reduces inflammation and yeast overgrowth — both big players in tear staining. -
Anti-Inflammatory Support:
Blue-green algae, chlorella, and spirulina are loaded with natural antioxidants, amino acids, and essential fatty acids that calm chronic inflammation at the root level. -
Boosts Liver Health:
The liver is the main detox organ. When it's supported by nutrient-dense greens, it can more easily filter out irritants that might otherwise show up as tear stains.
How to Add Green Superfoods Safely
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Start Small: Begin with a tiny pinch (1/8 tsp) mixed into food daily.
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Choose Quality: Only use organic, clean-tested brands free from contaminants.
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Watch for Detox Reactions: Mild changes (like slightly more eye discharge at first) can happen as the body clears old toxins. It usually passes quickly.
Tip:
Rotate between green powders and fresh greens like dandelion leaves for variety and broader nutrient coverage!
Natural Tear Stain Routine Example:
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Morning: Wipe eyes with chamomile tea.
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Meals: Feed a raw diet + some green sprinkles as well as a few blueberries and probiotics.
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Water: Always provide distilled, RO or filtered water.
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Weekly: Gentle detox herbs like dandelion leaf.
Imagine your dog's body like a sparkling clean river. When you feed antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries, greens and raw, clean meats it's like helping the river stay clean, clear, and flowing. When the river stays clean, there's less debris (toxins) that can overflow into tears — and fewer stains on their beautiful white coat!
Tear stains aren’t just a cosmetic issue — they’re a window into your dog's internal health.
By making a few simple, natural changes, you can help your white dog shine bright — with sparkling eyes and a radiant, healthy glow — the way nature intended
Special Recipe:
Green Glow Sprinkle for Tear Stain Support
Ingredients:
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1 tablespoon organic spirulina powder
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1 tablespoon organic chlorella powder
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1 tablespoon organic blue-green algae powder
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1 tablespoon organic dandelion leaf powder (optional for extra detox support)
Directions:
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Mix all powders together in a clean, dry jar with a tight lid.
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Shake well to blend evenly.
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Store in a cool, dark place.
How to Use:
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Start with ⅛ teaspoon per 10 pounds of your dog's body weight daily.
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Mix into their food once a day.
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Always provide plenty of fresh, distilled or filtered water!
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If your dog is new to greens, start with just a pinch and build up slowly over 1–2 weeks.
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Pair it with a fresh, raw diet for even better results.
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Watch your pup’s tear stains and overall glow — you might be amazed at how nature works its magic!
This "Green Glow Sprinkle" floods the body with minerals, antioxidants, and natural detoxifiers. It helps gently cleanse from within, support liver function, and cool down inflammation — all of which contribute to cleaner eyes and fewer tear stains naturally.