How to Deal With Tear Stains in Cats and Dogs

Introduction

Reddish-brown streaks running down from the inner corners of your cat's or dog's eyes are one of those things that looks worse than it usually is — but it's still worth understanding what's causing it and whether it needs more than a gentle wipe.

This guide covers what tear staining actually is, safe ways to manage it at home, and the situations where it's worth getting your vet to take a look rather than treating it yourself.

Quick Summary: Tear stains are usually caused by excess tear overflow reacting with air and bacteria on the fur, and can often be managed with gentle daily wiping using a damp cotton pad and keeping the fur around the eyes trimmed short. See your vet if staining appears suddenly, affects only one eye, or comes with redness, swelling or discharge.

What Causes Tear Stains?

Tears contain a pigment called porphyrin, which turns reddish-brown when exposed to air and light. In pets with naturally heavier tear production, shallow tear ducts, or fur that traps moisture close to the skin, this pigment builds up visibly on the fur rather than draining away unnoticed.

Some breeds are simply more prone to it — flat-faced breeds and those with prominent eyes tend to show more staining, as do many light-coloured or white-coated cats and dogs, simply because the discolouration is more visible against pale fur.

Common, Non-Medical Causes

• Breed and facial structure — shallow tear ducts or a flatter face can mean tears run down the face rather than draining internally.
• Fur trapping moisture — long fur around the eyes holds tears against the skin, giving bacteria and yeast more opportunity to build up and darken the staining.
• Teething, in young pets — puppies and kittens sometimes have temporary increased tearing while adult teeth come through.
• Environmental irritation — dust, pollen, wind or strong household cleaning products can all trigger extra tearing in sensitive eyes.

When It Could Be a Medical Issue

Occasionally, tear staining points to something that genuinely needs veterinary attention rather than home care alone. Always consult your vet if you notice:

• Sudden onset — staining that appears quickly rather than building up gradually.
• One eye only — this can suggest an irritant, an eyelash growing incorrectly, or a blocked duct on that side specifically.
• Redness or swelling — around the eye itself, not just staining on the fur below it.
• Thick or coloured discharge — rather than clear, watery tearing.
• Signs of discomfort — squinting, pawing at the eye, or reluctance to be touched near the face.

These signs don't necessarily mean anything serious, but they're outside what a grooming routine can safely address, so it's always best to have your vet take a look.

How to Clean Tear Stains Gently at Home

For ordinary, non-medical staining, a simple daily routine is usually enough to keep it under control:

1. Dampen a soft cotton pad with plain, cooled boiled water — avoid anything scented or containing alcohol.
2. Wipe gently from the inner corner outward, away from the eye itself, using a fresh pad for each eye to avoid transferring any bacteria between them.
3. Dry the area softly with a clean, dry cloth, since damp fur left in place encourages further staining.
4. Repeat daily, or every other day for pets with lighter staining, rather than waiting for it to build up.

Never use cotton wool with loose fibres near the eye, and avoid any product not specifically designed and approved for use around a pet's eyes.

Keeping Fur Trimmed Around the Eyes

For longer-haired dogs and cats, keeping the fur around the eyes short reduces how much moisture gets trapped against the skin in the first place. This is a job best done carefully and slowly, ideally with a small, precise trimmer rather than general clippers.

• ROJECO 3-in-1 Pet Foot Hair Trimmer — compact and designed for sensitive areas including the face, giving more control than a full-size clipper near the eyes. View the foot and face trimmer.

Always trim with the point of the scissors or trimmer facing away from the eye, and stop and reassess if your pet moves unexpectedly.

Pro tip: If your pet tolerates a spray comb, using it to gently soften the fur below the eyes before wiping can make the whole process quicker and less irritating. The ROJECO Chick Pet Spray Hair Comb works well for this on cats in particular.

Diet and Water as Contributing Factors

Some owners find that switching to filtered water, or moving away from plastic bowls (which can harbour bacteria and sometimes trigger mild reactions along the muzzle), makes a small but noticeable difference to staining. This isn't guaranteed to help every pet, but it's a low-risk change worth trying alongside a regular wiping routine.

How Long It Takes to See Improvement

With a consistent daily wiping routine, mild ordinary staining often starts to look noticeably better within one to two weeks, since existing pigment on the fur fades or grows out while new staining is prevented from building up. Deeper, longer-standing staining can take a few weeks longer, particularly on lighter coats where any discolouration shows up more clearly. Patience and consistency matter more here than any single product — a routine kept up daily will outperform an occasional deep clean every time.

What Not to Do

• Don't use human eye products — anything not specifically formulated for pets can irritate the eye itself.
• Don't scrub — vigorous rubbing can irritate already sensitive skin around the eyes.
• Don't ignore sudden changes — assuming ordinary staining when the pattern has genuinely changed can delay a vet visit that's actually needed.

Conclusion

Most tear staining is a manageable, cosmetic issue rather than a medical one, and a short daily wiping routine combined with keeping fur trimmed around the eyes is usually enough to keep it under control. The exception is any sudden change, one-sided staining, or signs of discomfort — these are always worth a quick vet check rather than home treatment alone.

Browse the full Rojeco grooming range for gentle tools that make everyday face and eye care easier.