How To Get Rid Of Tear Stains – Tips To Keep Your Bichon Frize Looking Good
If you own a Bichon Frisé, you are probably familiar with tear stains. These are the reddish-brown spots on the coat around the Bichon’s eyes. It is natural for a dog to have some tearing and discharge from the eyes. However, white fur shows the resulting spots more than dark fur. And if the coloring is extreme, the effect can be quite unattractive. The good news is that there are several ways to get rid of tear stains on your Bichon’s face.
1) Check for physical causes. Excessive tearing and staining may be caused by irritation. Is there an eyelash or hair that keeps rubbing in the eye? Comb the facial fur away from the eye area and, if necessary, trim the fur so that it does not come into contact with the sensitive eyes.
Check the condition of the teeth and gums. A broken or decayed tooth can cause the eyes to water and become discolored. Dental problems are painful and can become emergencies – so get your Bichon to the vet quickly if you suspect anything.
If your Bichon has a significant tear stain, your veterinarian should check that the tear ducts in the eyes are not blocked.
2) Change the diet. Many Bichon Frisé owners have minimized tear staining by feeding their dog a different food. For some Bichons, eating grains contributes to the coloration of the tears. Try reducing or eliminating grains from your diet. That means feeding a raw diet or switching to one of the new grain-free dog kibbles like Evo.
Before changing the food, you may want to consult your veterinarian. If your Bichon is on a special diet for medical reasons, you should certainly not change it without the consent of your veterinarian. It is also very important if you decide to feed a raw diet that you make sure it contains all the necessary nutrients. There are many frozen or dried grain-free dog foods available that offer an optimal nutritional balance. Never feed your Bichon only meat, as he will get sick very quickly on such an unbalanced and unhealthy diet.
3) Clean the eyes regularly. Part of your daily routine should be to remove debris that builds up in the corners of your dog’s eyes. Do not allow this material to build up as it is irritating to your Bichon and will contribute to tear staining.
Also, regularly clean the area under your dog’s eyes with a boric acid solution. Boric acid is a powder commonly used in eye washes. You can find it at the pharmacy. To make the solution, dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of boric acid in about half a cup of boiling water. Leave to cool. Dampen a cotton pad with the solution, then gently wipe the stained area two or three times a day. Store leftover boric acid solution covered and in the refrigerator for up to one week. You should notice an improvement within a few days. Boric acid treatment may be enough to keep your Bichon’s face beautiful.
4) Use an antibiotic product. There are several products on the market that are quite effective at preventing tear staining. One of them is a powder called Angels’ Glow. Every day you put a small amount of the powder in your Bichon’s food.
The reason these types of products work is because they contain a small amount of a specialized antibiotic. Some people don’t like the idea of using antibiotics just for cosmetic reasons. However, if your Bichon’s tear staining is quite strong, you may want to give it a try. It’s always a good idea to get your vet’s opinion before giving your dog any medication or supplement.
Tear stains are a common problem in Bichon Frisé and can spoil the appearance of your beautiful dog. In most cases, however, tear staining can be significantly reduced by using one or more of these suggestions.
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