A majority of dog owners will agree the tear stains are an eyesore. In many cases, no matter how much effort you put into making your dog look healthy, those tear stains under your dog’s eyes will ruin their awesome look. What are ways to minimize tear stains on French Bulldogs? You must know the causes of tear stains and how to treat them to make your French Bulldog look healthy all the time.
What Are Tear Stains?
Tear stains on dogs look ugly. Fortunately, they are neither painful nor dangerous. However, they might be a symptom of an underlying health issue.
Since French Bulldogs have protruding and huge rounded eyes because of their brachycephalic skulls, their eyes need more tears to keep hydrated. To mitigate the dry eye problem, French Bulldogs produce more tears than other breeds.
The same situation can be said of other brachycephalic dogs such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and Mastiffs.
It is easier to see tear stains on French Bulldogs with light-colored fur. But it doesn’t mean that dogs with darker fur will not have tear stains. They will only be more difficult to spot.
How Can You Prevent Tear Stains?
French Bulldogs have eye sockets that are uniquely-shaped. Because of this, they are susceptible to several eye issues, such as the cherry eye.
One tip to mitigate tear stains is to massage the tear canal of the eye gently.
Since dogs cannot wash their faces, dog owners must clean around the eye areas by utilizing vet-recommended tear stain wet wipes. Choosing a tear stain remover that works will also help keep your dog’s appearance clean and fresh. It should be noted that French Bulldogs have sensitive eyes. It is recommended to purchase a vet-approved product.
Another thing to remember is that you should know the difference between a red and brown tear stain. Red tear stains result from porphyrins. It is an iron-containing waste product due to the breakdown of red blood cells excreted via the tear ducts and saliva.
But if your dog has brown tear stains, it can be a sign of a yeast infection. Yeast is a natural microorganism in your French Bulldog’s body. But if it overgrows, then the immune system becomes weakened.
Yeast overgrowth thrives around the mouth areas and under the eyes. You might find that your Bulldog’s tear stains are a result of bacteria and fungi. Check the odor as well. If your French Bulldog’s face has a foul odor, there is a good chance your dog is suffering a yeast infection.
How to Minimize French Bulldog Tear Stains?
There are several steps you can take to minimize French bulldog tear stains right off the bat. You can reduce their occurrence. Although it is not always possible to minimize eye infections, there are several things you can do to prevent them from occurring in your French bulldog. Good prevention maintenance is the following:
- Clean the face of your Frenchie once or twice a day utilizing a moistened cloth or vet- recommended wipes. Make sure that the folds are clean and dry.
- Make sure the hairs near the eyes are short.
- Purchase a good pair of dog goggles to shield their eyes from trauma as well as foreign bodies, especially if you live in dusty locations.
Regardless of how mild, eye injuries and infections must be treated as soon as possible. If you ignore these issues, it can result in long-term damage such as scarring, impairment in vision, and even blindness.
Apart from the mentioned grooming tips, there are several ways in which you can mitigate tear stains on your French bulldog, such as the following:
- Use steel or ceramic food dishes.
- Veterinarians suggest replacing any plastic material feeding dishes with stainless steel or ceramic material.
- Plastic dishes tend to be a breeding ground for bacteria and are more difficult to sterilize. A majority of dogs will have allergies from this, which may result in tears stains.
- In contrast, ceramic bowls are more hygienic, but it is best to get them replaced right away if you notice any cracks or damages. Even tiny cracks can harbor harmful bacteria, which can be extremely difficult to clean and sterilize.
- It is recommended that owners care and maintain their dog’s feeding dishes regularly. Doing so will help mitigate the buildup of bacteria.
- A majority of owners also believe in providing their French bulldog with clean water. It is crucial to give your Frenchie unlimited access to filtered water.
Nutrition and Stress
Vets also suggest mitigating stress and improving the nutrition of your French Bulldog. Prior to making any significant changes in your Frenchie’s diet, it is crucial to consult with your vet. They should recommend nutrition based on your Frenchie’s lifestyle, age, health, and current nutrition.
Another way to mitigate tear stains is by gently massaging the area just below the tear ducts. It is crucial to do this routinely to loosen any blockages and clogs near the tear ducts.
Modify their water quality
Tear stains can also result from your French bulldog’s drinking water, which may contain high mineral levels.
According to the AKC, it is recommended that you give your dog purified distilled water or water that has been treated with reverse osmosis. If you give your dog water from your supply of bottled water, they might develop tear stains rather quickly.
Check if there are additives in their food
In some cases, owners will supplement the food of their dogs with food additives. The AKC recommends that you add 1 teaspoon of organic Apple cider vinegar or buttermilk to your French Bulldog’s meals. You might also want to add I-stain, which is a probiotic enzyme. It reportedly has good results.
Why Do French Bulldogs Have Tear Stain Infections?
Age
French Bulldog puppies can have excess moisture around the eyes. This is a result of the growth and development of the facial structure.
Your French bulldog may also show signs of excessive tears during the teething phase. But once they reach adulthood at 2 years of age, you should see the tear stains peter off.
That being said, if your French Bulldog suffers excessive tear stains, it is still crucial to consult with a vet about underlying medical concerns.
There is a huge chance that the signs you see result from an underlying allergy or irritation, especially if your puppy shows discomfort or signs of swelling on the face areas.
Breeding
Although it is typical to witness tear stains in numerous breeds, Frenchies are particularly susceptible to tear stains because of how they were bred. Since they have large, protruding eyes with short snouts, they can have malformed tear ducts.
The size and position of their eyes mean they need to produce more tears to mitigate dry eyes.
Blockage in the tear ducts
A majority of flat-faced dogs, which include Frenchies, will have trouble with their eyes draining optimally. It is a result of their face structure. Tears will not drain through the tear ducts similar to other breeds. Instead, the tears will slide straightaway onto the face.
There are some Frenchies who will have malformed tear ducts. In this case, the entrance has never opened during development. There is a possibility that your vet might have to open the tear ducts by surgery.
There is also a chance that tear duct blockage results from a medical condition such as chronic eye infection or allergies. In this case, your vet should provide your dog relief by flushing the tear ducts.
What Triggers Tear Stains in French Bulldogs?
As previously mentioned, yeast infection is one of the top triggers for tear stains in French Bulldogs. Yeast occurs in dogs with compromised immunity. Yeast can regrow even when eradicated. A dog’s immune system often gets affected by allergies. Because of this, it is crucial to discover the type of allergy in your French Bulldog to help mitigate the problem.
Another cause of tear stains is porphyrin. It is a compound that breaks down red blood cells. Since the French Bulldog has protruding and large eyes, they have a higher susceptibility to produce excessive tears.
Like human babies, the teething phase is one of the most painful and irritating conditions for mammals. While human babies get runny noses, French Bulldogs get runny eyes.
Other causes that may affect your French Bulldog’s tear stains are bacterial infections such as conjunctivitis. It is also an extremely unpleasant condition that may progress and develop into a severe condition if you do not treat it at once.
What Is the Best Treatment for French Bulldog Tear Stains?
It is crucial to know that tear stains can be a persistent problem. But it would be best if you never gave up. Those ugly marks must be wiped out beneath the lovely eyes of your dog.
Gently cleanse the areas around your dog’s eyes with a cotton ball, soap, and water. You might also want to purchase an OTC product. These products have a strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ability.
It would help if you wiped the tear stains with a cotton ball soaked in a formulation. Clean the eyes every 2nd or 3rd day in the next 4 weeks. Once you have finally eradicated the tear stains from your French Bulldog, you can continue utilizing the product once a week for maintenance.
Why Do Tear Stains Occur on French Bulldogs?
Tear stains occur not only in French Bulldogs but also in other breeds. There may also be an underlying medical condition that require immediate treatment. Tear stains are either reddish marks or dark brown underneath the French bulldog’s eyes. In some cases, they are followed by a discharge.
The following are some reasons French Bulldogs have tear stains:
- Your French bulldog has a yeast infection
- There is excessive production of porphyrin
- Your French bulldog has conjunctivitis
- Glaucoma
- Bacterial infection on the eye
- Environmental allergens
- Teething phase
- Your dog is suffering from epiphora, which is excessive tear production
note:
Tear stains are less observable in dogs with dark-colored fur. It is wrong to assume that only dogs with light-colored fur can suffer from tear stains.
Experts recommend maintenance for tear stains in French Bulldogs.
Steps to Mitigate Tear Stains on French Bulldogs
Grooming
Your French bulldog must get proper grooming, especially on areas near the eyes. Make sure their hairs are kept short and dry.
Wiping
Tear stains on French Bulldogs can be mitigated by wiping them off with vet-recommended wipes. It is crucial to stick to a routine when wiping away the tear stains. Wipe at least once or a couple of times a day.
Non-Tylosin supplement
Some antibiotics will contain harmful and unauthorized compounds. Instead, it would help if you utilized a supplement that is Tylosin free. These products contain botanical natural ingredients and an easy to follow administration.
Water and food bowls
Water and food bowls made from stainless steel are not likely to crack and easier to clean. It is less likely to be a breeding ground for bacteria that stimulates the production of porphyrin.
Final Thoughts
French Bulldogs have a lovely face, but tear stains can mar that beauty. It is crucial to care for and maintain your dog’s appearance optimally to mitigate the occurrence of tear stains. Consult your vet if there is an underlying medical condition why tear stains occur. You might also want to make adjustments in their nutrition and utilize an OTC product if tear stains occur.
