What are Pomeranian tear stains? Pomeranian tears stains are a regular issue with most Pomeranians.
It’s very common, particularly with lighter colored dogs. Pomeranian eye stains can be brown discolored hair under the Pomeranian’s eyes.
Food does not cause stains. The orange colour has an iron ingredient that the Pom secretes in his saliva, tears and urine.
This is why your Pom may have orange on his lips, or paws or anywhere else he licks all the time. If he’s out in the sunlight and wind, the problem is only aggravated.
Pomeranians Can Develop Tear Stains From a Early Age
Pomeranian Tear stains may develop on very young Pom puppies who are still feeding from their mother. Pomeranian eye stains and staining on paws and around their mouth is very common on white and cream colored Pom puppies.
Light colored Pomeranian puppies may develop food stains on their paws and around the mouth from food.
What Causes Tear Stains in Pomeranians?
Excessive watering of the eyes or epiphora isn’t normal for Pomeranians, and it indicates that your Pom has a problem that you have to fix.
So, let’s take a quick look at the most common causes of watering eyes in Pomeranian that can lead to stains.
1. Pomeranian Allergies
If something gets into your Pom’s eyes, an involuntary reaction is to begin to water because this flushes away lots of irritants. So, this makes allergies a major cause of stains.
There are lots of things that may cause potential allergies for your Pomeranian. Examples can include: pollen, dust, secondhand smoke, plastic, perfumes or other sprays.
He might be allergic to his plastic water and food bowls. It could be seasonal which might take longer to identify. Some Poms have an allergy to grain and if their food is grain-rich, the tears may flow freely.
2. Eyelash Problems
Pomeranian tear stains and watering eyes may happen if conditions affect his eye lashes. Some may bend inward and some could grow from part of his eyelid where they shouldn’t be growing.
If these happen, your Pomeranian’s eyes may be red, swollen and watery. It can become so uncomfortable at times that you may see he’s actually pawing at his eyes to make them feel better.
Having inward-growing lashes might not sound so bad but, must be treated urgently to avoid damage to one or both corneas.
3. Eyelid Problems
Apart from eyelashes pointing inwards, eyelids can bend inwards partially too.
Lashes may then brush the eye, causing cornea damage. The medical term for this is Entropion.
It’s often genetic and is sometimes present when the puppy is born and diagnosed prior to his first birthday.
Cornea Injury
Pomeranians are very curious animals. They may accidentally scratch away part of the cornea with a toy, stick, blanket or something similar.
Depending on the level of damage, you may see redness, swelling, and some tearing.
Blocked or Narrow Tear Ducts
Pomeranian tear stains can occur if your Pomeranian has a blocked tear duct because the tears have nowhere else to go, except to spill onto his fur.
Some Poms may have been born with narrow ducts and the single symptom is the teary discharge.
Pomeranian Eye Infections
Various eye infections can cause Pomeranian eye stains and/or discharge from the eyes. It could be a bacterial or viral infection such as conjunctivitis. If the discharge is yellow and thick, it’s time for a quick trip to the vet.
If you notice your Pom having wet hair around his face, get him to the vet as it’s an ideal breeding ground for yeast and bacteria too. Certain forms of yeast can change the color of fur around his eyes to a rusty color.
How You Can Clean Pomeranian Tear Stains?
You Ask How Do I Get Rid of Tear Stains on my Pomeranian?
Tear stains present no danger to your Pomeranian. However, they’re not pleasing to look at as they detract from that cute face.
Cleaning these discolorations isn’t difficult. However, there’s an important first step and that’s to determine the underlying cause because that could present problems.
There’s a chance the stains reappear if you don’t learn their cause and fix it.
To Reduce Pomeranian Tear Stains, Follow These Steps:
- Human eye drops can be used to flush your dog’s tear ducts. A couple of drops twice a day in each eye often stops ugly eye staining.
- Use a damp makeup pad to wash away the stains each day. (Use sterile water to moisten the pad or eye drops). Never use tissues around your dog’s eye area. Tissues are made from wood and may cause severe eye irritation.
- Get antibiotics from the vet to prevent Pomeranian eye stains.
Many Pomeranian breeders also recommend:
- Only providing bottled/distilled water for your dog to drink.
- The use of moisturising eye drops.
- Giving your dog Vitamin C.
- Include half a teaspoon of coconut oil in his food daily.
- For some dog tear stains apple cider vinegar helps. 1 teaspoon of Apple cider vinegar added the dog’s food daily may also be helpful. Some dogs wont eat their meal with the vinegar added, so start slowly only adding a few drops to start and increasing slowly to one teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar daily.
There are many products available to help remove and prevent eye stains. Certain products are added to your dog’s food.
Another approach is using a product applied externally to help minimize Pomeranian eye staining. Coconut oil applied to the hair under the eyes will help prevent ugly tear staining.
Unfortunately the majority of these eye stain remover type products just don’t work.
Some can even be dangerous to your Pomeranian’s health. As an exhibitor of Pomeranian show dogs, I have experimented and tried all the following methods to remove eye stains with great success.
How Can Vets Treat Tear Stains and Watering Eyes?
What treatments for Pomeranian watery eyes are more widely used?
The best treatment largely depends on the cause. Flushing the irritated eye is the simplest option.
However, eyelash and eyelid issues might need minor surgery or electrolysis to correct the problem.
If your Pomeranian suffers from severe allergies, you may need to give him an antihistamine to decrease symptoms. However, if an infection is the cause, it could mean eye drops or antibiotics are needed on a regular basis.
Pomeranian Tear Stain Remover That Works
How to Get Rid of Tear Stains:
Presentation is extremely important for show Pomeranians. I follow the steps listed above and also apply a dog tear stain remover that works, externally each and everyday.
I have found the best tear stain remover for dogs is Eye Envy Tear Stain Remover.
I recommend Eye Envy – Tear Stain Remover Powder- for Dogs and Cats, 4oz – Safe and Natural as a Pomeranian tear stain Remover that works.
I have been using Eye Envy Tear Stain remover on the Pomeranian Puppy pictured above for a month and the results are amazing.
Repeat Every Day
Once you have the tear stain remover, you’ll need to apply it daily until the discoloration has disappeared. That would take an average of 10 days. After that, use it as needed.
How to Use Dog Tear Stain Remover
I started seeing good results, using the dog tear stain remover that works after a week.
- Apply the tear stain remover powder each and very night.
- First wipe the area clean with a make-up remover pad.
- Comb the hair under the eye in the opposite direction to encourage powder to coat each strand of hair.
- Apply Eye Envy – Tear Stain Remover Powder- for Dogs and Cats, 4oz – Safe and Natural with either the tip of your finger, toothbrush or a cotton bud ( I use either a cotton bud or a toothbrush, but you can purchase a special applicator if required).
At this stage, I have only purchased the powder Eye Envy.
Using the Eye Envy – Tear Stain Remover Powder- for Dogs and Cats, 4oz – Safe and Natural has proved very successful and my Pomeranian Puppy is now a consistent winner at Dog Shows.
Best Product to Remove Tear Stains on Dogs
- Eye Envy Application Powder, 4 oz
- Price: $28.00
For complete Pomeranian Grooming information refer to the Pomeranian Grooming Guide.
Final Thoughts on Pomeranian Eye Stains
Excessive Pomeranian eyes watering should be checked by a Veterinarian. Certain health issues can produce excessive tear production and resulting eye staining.
Your veterinarian should check for an eyelid or lash problem that could be irritating her eye or a blocked a tear duct. Sometimes simple surgery can fix the problem of Pomeranian eyes watering.
Copyright Pomeranian.Org. All Rights Reserved.
References and Further Reading:
[1] Denise Leo “The Pomeranian Handbook”.
[2] Denise Leo “Pomeranian Grooming”.
The Pomeranian Handbook
