Tear Stains

Q: Kono has red stain around his eyes what can I properly do to get rid of this? He is almost 16 weeks old. He is an English Bulldog. People are telling me to clean it and use coconut oil under eye. What is the best thing to use to keep his coating nice.

A: Tear staining is caused by a reaction between the chemical nature of the tear and the proteins in the hair. The chemical makeup of tears varies from dog to dog, that is why some white dogs have no problem and others do. There are cleaning type products available but they rarely work. The most reliable products are added to your puppies food and act by changing the makeup of the tear. These products can stop further staining but the already stained hair has to grow out which means you must use the product for a month or so before you see the full benefit. Two of the more commonly used products are "Angel Eyes and White Eyes" There are also several herbal products now available. These products are safe to use and will work for the majority of affected puppies. Also many puppies will respond to a sprinkling of unseasoned meat tenderizer added to their food. I feel no more than weekly bathing with an aloe/oatmeal shampoo is a good plan for a healthy coat.