Tear stains are caused by the overproduction of tears in cats and dogs eyes, and take the form of red/brown streaks around your pet’s eye area (usually most prominent in lighter-coloured pets).

How To Set About Tackling Tear Stains

More often than not, tear stains are nothing more than an annoyance, and aren’t a sign of anything more sinister than the overproduction of tears. However, they can sometimes be a sign of medical conditions that, if left untreated, can have serious impacts on your pet’s health.

What causes tear stains?

Tear stains can simply be caused by the overproduction of tears in your pet’s tear ducts, and usually this is just down to genetics, meaning you have nothing to worry about. However, unfortunately tear stains can also be a sign that your dog has Glaucoma (or other eye diseases) or infected tear ducts. The stains may also be a result of less serious problems, such as an ingrown eyelash or a food allergy, which be easily resolved. It is because of the many different reasons for tear stains that it is very important to consult your vet, as they could help to prevent the development of serious health problems.

How Can I Prevent Them?

In order to try to prevent your pet from getting tear stains, you can try a number of different things:

• Change their diet- It may be the grain in your pet’s food that is causing the reaction of increased tear production. If you suspect an allergy, you should change your pet’s food to a brand or type that does not contain grains.
• Change their bowls- Plastic pet bowls often harbour bacteria, which, as water splashes back into your pet’s face, may cause eye-infections, resulting in tear stains. Stainless steel bowls, on the other hand, are much cleaner- but you should still aim to clean this to the point of sterilisation (such as in a dishwasher) around three times a week.
• Keep them groomed- Long hair around your pet’s eyes may irritate them, causing them to produce more tears, which lead to tear stains. Keeping the hair around your dog’s eyes short will help to prevent this.

How Can I Remove Them?

If, after visiting your vet, you find that your pet’s tear stains are unpreventable, you can simply try to clean them in these ways:

• Water- Using warm water and cotton wool, clean your pet’s eyes as often as is necessary to prevent the tears from staining.
• Vaseline- Once your pet’s tears have been cleaned, apply a small amount of Vaseline to the area just under the eye to prevent the tears from sitting in the same area and staining.
• Cleansing solution- Ocryl Tear Stain Remover & Eye Cleansing Solution can help to reduce reduce hair discolouration caused by tear staining and remove dried on crust.

If your pet has recently developed tear stains, you should take them to a vet as soon as possible.  Also, it is important that you always seek advice from your vet before using anything to remove your pet’s tear stains, even water, as the eyes are an incredibly sensitive area.

Coping with an ageing dog is difficult at an emotional level. We would all love to keep our dogs forever young, and sometimes when we think of our dogs ageing it can be overwhelming. While older dogs will require more care and attention, with the right knowledge, it doesn’t have to be a worrying time . To help you deal with this period in your dog’s life, we’ve put together some advice on how to best cope with your dog as it grows older.

When will my dog become ‘Senior’?

Not all dogs reach their senior years at the same time. It will depend on their breed and size. Larger breeds, such as Great Danes, are considered senior at around 8 years old, whereas small breeds, such as Chihuahuas would not be considered senior until around 10.

As a quick rule of thumb, we can consider dogs ‘senior’ at the following ages:

• 5-8 years of age for very large / giant dogs
• 7-10 years of age for medium-sized dogs
• 9-12 years of age for small dogs

As these guidelines vary considerably between individuals, it is worth asking your vet their opinion on whether your dog is a senior or not.

Should I change my dog’s diet?

It is important that your dog has all of the necessary nutrients and vitamins to reduce the risk of any health problems. You should move your dog onto a food formulation specifically for older dogs, as these are likely to be lower in calories (to help prevent weight gain as energy levels drop) and will also contain essential oils to maintain joint health.  The change to a new food should be made gradually to avoid stomach upset. If you’re unsure which diet is right for your dog, consult with your vet first.

Do we need to visit the vet more regularly?

Ideally, yes. As your dog grows older, you should aim to visit the vet every six months for a checkup, or more regularly if your pet has known health issues. Regular vet visits are important as older dogs are more likely to suffer from illness or injury, which can become serious if left untreated.

Signs to watch out for in senior dogs will include:

• Declining Senses. Dogs are less able to see, hear and smell and these senses get progressively worse over time.
• Nuclear sclerosis. This is when the dog develops a blue-tinge to the eyes. Affected dogs can still see and this normal old age process is not to be confused with cataracts which cause blindness.
• Grey fur. This is more noticeable in some, depending on their original fur colour and coat type.
• Irritability. This is not necessarily normal and can indicate an underlying issue such as joint or dental disease, so should be investigated if the dog is normally mellow.
• Sleeping more. As well as spending more time in the land of nod, your older dog will need more rest and downtime during the day.
• Signs of mental decline. Some dogs experience cognitive disease as they age and may become aloof, bark for no reason, stare into space etc. Talk to your vet if you feel your dog is showing any symptoms of ‘doggy dementia’.

Does my dog still need exercise?

Yes! In fact, exercise is very important for senior dogs as it can help to prevent joints from becoming stiff, and can help to keep weight at a moderate level. You should try to keep the exercise fairly low impact, and try to implement it little and often as this will prevent your dog from becoming too tired. Older dogs will take longer to recover from exercise, which means it is important to provide them with a comfortable bed in which they can rest.

Will my dog still want to play?

Energy levels in older dogs will vary from one dog to another, and you should respect your dog’s mood before trying to make them play, as you could end up irritating them. However, you should try to have some fun with your dog, as playing and mental stimulation can help them feel young.

While your dog may not be as playful or demanding as they once were, they will still appreciate a good cuddle! If you have any concerns about your dog’s health as they grow older, you should not hesitate to seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.