Why do dogs have tear marks

That furry dog at home always brings us endless warmth and joy. But when I saw the two obvious tear marks at the corners of its eyes, a sense of heartache arose. Dogs' tear marks not only affect their appearance, but may also indicate their health condition. As pet lovers, delving into why dogs have tears is an important step in providing them with thoughtful care.

From the perspective of breed characteristics, some dogs are naturally prone to tear marks. Small dogs like Pomeranians, Bichon Bears, and Poodles usually have large and round eyes, and their lacrimal glands are closer to the eyeball, making it easier for tears to flow out. Moreover, their nasolacrimal ducts are relatively narrow, making it difficult for tears to flow out and easily accumulating at the corners of the eyes, forming tear marks. Bago, bulldog and other short nosed dog breeds are also high-risk groups for tear stains. Their short and flat facial structure causes the nasolacrimal duct to twist, preventing tears from flowing into the nasal cavity through the nasolacrimal duct. They can only overflow from the corners of the eyes, leaving unsightly tear marks over time. Watching these cute little ones with tears streaming down their faces, as if recounting their discomfort, how could one not feel heartbroken.

Dietary factors are also an important cause of tear stains in dogs. High salt foods are the catalyst for dog tears. When dogs consume too much salt, their bodies cannot metabolize it in a timely manner, which increases the burden on the kidneys and affects the normal function of the lacrimal gland, leading to an increase in tear secretion. Some owners may unconsciously share the food they eat with their dogs, unaware that the salt content is too high for the dogs. Long term consumption of such food will gradually cause tear marks around the eyes of dogs. In addition, food allergies may also cause tears. If a dog is allergic to certain food ingredients, such as grains, meat, etc., the allergic reaction may manifest in the eyes, leading to abnormal tear secretion and the formation of tear marks. For the health of dogs, we must pay more attention to our diet, choose foods that are suitable for them, and avoid causing trouble to dogs due to improper diet.

Eye diseases are one of the "culprits" behind dog tear stains. Conjunctivitis is a common eye disease that can be caused by bacterial, viral infections, or external stimuli. Dogs with conjunctivitis may experience redness, swelling, and itching in their eyes. To relieve discomfort, they frequently scratch their eyes with their paws, which further stimulates the lacrimal gland, leading to increased secretion of tears and the formation of tear marks. Keratitis can also cause tear mark problems. After the cornea is damaged, inflammatory stimulation can cause dysregulation of tear secretion, and tears cannot be discharged normally, resulting in accumulation at the corners of the eyes. There is also eyelash inversion, which refers to the inward growth of eyelashes, stimulating the eyes and causing discomfort and tearing. When we see dogs troubled by tear stains due to eye diseases, we can feel their pain and become more determined to help them solve the problem.

Environmental factors cannot be ignored in the production of tear marks in dogs. Allergens such as dust, pollen, and smoke in the living environment can irritate dogs' eyes, trigger allergic reactions, and lead to excessive tear secretion. If dogs live in environments with poor hygiene and high levels of dust for a long time, their eyes are easily contaminated, increasing the likelihood of tear marks appearing. Moreover, dry air can cause the skin around a dog's eyes to lose moisture, become fragile, and easily trigger inflammation, thereby exacerbating tear marks. We hope that dogs live in a comfortable and clean environment, so as to reduce the possibility of them shedding tears due to environmental factors.

When we discover that a dog has tear marks, we should not only focus on the surface of the tear marks, but also delve into the underlying reasons. For tear stains caused by variety characteristics, we can alleviate them through daily care, such as regularly wiping the area around the eyes with a clean wet towel to keep the eyes clean. If there are dietary issues, it is necessary to adjust the dog's diet structure, choose low salt, nutritionally balanced dog food, and avoid feeding human food. For eye diseases, it is important to take your dog to a pet hospital in a timely manner for professional diagnosis and treatment. Improving the living environment of dogs is also crucial, maintaining indoor cleanliness, ventilation, and reducing the presence of allergens.

Dogs' tear marks are their silent signals of distress, and behind each tear mark may lie their discomfort and pain. As their closest companions, we have a responsibility to understand the reasons and provide them with timely care and assistance. When we see the little face of a dog, which was originally stained with tears, become clean and bright, and bloom with a lively and lovely smile again, the satisfaction and joy are indescribable. Let us create a healthy and happy living environment for dogs with love and patience, and accompany them through every wonderful time.