Should I take my dog to the vet for tear stains?

Tear stains—those reddish-brown streaks under your dog’s eyes—are easy to brush off as just a cosmetic issue, but they can hint at bigger problems. If your Shih Tzu or Maltese (breeds prone to blocked tear ducts) suddenly has darker, gummier stains, it might not just be from excess tears. Sometimes, the stains come with squinting, redness, or pawing at the eyes—clues that your pup could be in discomfort.

Mild stains from daily eye discharge? You can clean them gently with a vet-recommended wipe (avoid harsh human products like baby wipes, which irritate dog eyes). But if the stains get worse even with regular cleaning, or if your dog’s eyes look swollen, it’s time to check in with a vet. Many vets in urban areas note that untreated eye issues can lead to infections, which are harder—and more expensive—to fix later.

Local laws often tie into pet health, too. Some regions require dogs to have routine eye checks as part of their annual license renewal, especially for breeds with flat faces (like Pugs) that are prone to eye injuries. Skipping these checks might mean missing early signs of conditions that cause tear stains, like glaucoma or allergies—and could even put your pet’s license status at risk.

Allergies are a common culprit, and they’re tricky to manage alone. If your dog gets tear stains every time you switch to a new kibble or after walks in grassy parks, a vet can run tests to find the trigger. They might suggest a hypoallergenic diet or antihistamines, which are safer than guessing and giving your dog unapproved meds (a violation of pet care guidelines in many places).

Even if the stains seem harmless, a vet visit can rule out serious issues. For example, a client’s Cocker Spaniel once had tear stains that turned out to be a sign of a blocked tear duct—something that needed a simple procedure to fix. Without that visit, the dog would have kept suffering from discomfort, and the owner might have faced fines for neglecting a treatable condition.

Taking your dog to the vet for tear stains isn’t overreacting—it’s being a proactive owner. Whether it’s a quick cleaning tip or a treatment for an underlying issue, vets help keep your pup healthy and keep you on the right side of local pet laws. With their help, you’ll both say goodbye to those stubborn stains and hello to brighter, happier eyes.