7 Best Dog Tear Stain Removers in 2025, Recommended By Vets
Daniel de Andres Jimenez/iStock via Getty Images
All products in this article have been reviewed by our trusted vets and experts. PetMD is owned by Chewy.
Tear stains are common for many dog breeds, especially if a pup has light-colored fur.
Tear stains on dogs happen naturally, but they can also occur more frequently due to a medical condition such as entropion, eyelash disorders, eye infections, or allergies, or in breeds with a congenital tear duct abnormality.
Everything Our Vets Recommend
Some dog breeds will be more prone to tear stains due to the shape of their face and eyes. Pugs, for example, experience more tears because they have flat faces, shallow eye sockets, and extra skin surrounding their eyes.
Fur color, length, and type will also affect how visible your pup’s tear stains might be. Light, thick, or curly fur around the eyes is more prone to tear buildup and staining.
If your dog has frequent tears and staining, make sure to see a veterinarian to determine if there is an underlying medical condition.
If you’re not a big fan of the way those stains look, there are plenty of tear stain removers for dogs on the market. These products are the best way to remove dog tear stains, so your pup will look fresh and clean despite those teary eyes.
Our Vet Pick: Best In Show
The best tear stain remover for dogs should be convenient and effective, which is why our vets chose the Optixcare eye cleaning wipes for best in show.
Whether you’re at the dog park, on the couch, or packed for a road trip, these wipes can quickly soften eye goo and keep tear stains at bay. Our vets recommend that pet parents keep these wipes in a dog first aid kit so they’re on hand when the need arises.
Our vets also love that this product has no harsh chemicals like bleach, boric acid, or antibiotics. While these wipes work as a dog tear stain remover, they also help prevent tears in the first place by keeping the under-eye skin soothed with chamomile extract.
One of our vets particularly likes the chamomile for reducing inflammation. According to them, by preventing any irritation or inflammation, chamomile helps to prevent further discharge that can lead to more tear staining. This is especially helpful if the dog has watery eyes due to allergies and if they spend a lot of time outdoors.
- Wipes are pre-moistened
- No alcohol or peroxide
- Lint-free—so the wipes won’t leave behind residue that may irritate eyes
- Affordable
- Easy to use—pre-made wipe
- Good for pet parents on the go
Our Vet Pick: Best Eye Wash
One of the best ways to remove dog tear stains is to prevent them with an eye wash.
This antimicrobial eye wash can help flush discharge caused by eye problems and allergies. The solution is unmedicated, so your pup won’t experience stinging or discomfort after application.
Pet parents might prefer eye wash over other types of dog tear stain removers because it may help relieve the root cause, such as allergies to pollen and dust.
However, depending on how much discharge is present, pet parents still might need additional tools like a wipe or comb to tackle the stains.
Our vets point out that pet parents should only use eye wash if a veterinarian confirms the top layer of the dog’s cornea is intact—otherwise, it could cause irritation or further damage. If your pup’s eye has been scratched, ulcerated, or injured, skip this eye wash.
This is another great product to have in your pet’s first aid kit at home.
- Unmedicated eye wash with limited ingredients
- Can help flush debris like pollen—which may cause tears
- May be difficult to administer if your dog is wiggly
- Cannot be used if your dog has an eye injury like a scratched cornea
Our Vet Pick: Best Comb
If you’re looking for the best dog tear stain remover, a comb can help get rid of the existing tears that clump to stop stains from forming.
Some dogs have eye discharge that gets matted to their fur and needs to be combed out before their eyes can be cleaned up.
This tear stain remover comb is made with 65 stainless steel pins to help you remove the crust around your dog’s eyes. Our vets like that the comb’s round prongs are made with smooth stainless steel so the prongs won’t pull at the fur and cause discomfort.
According to one of our vets, “The handle has an ergonomic design for easy handling, the bristles are close enough together to effectively remove mats, and the pins are short enough to get close to the base of the fur follicles while remaining comfortable for the dog.”
Our vets also mention that a tear stain remover comb works best when the comb is used regularly to remove eye crust, and it’s most effective when used frequently before tear stains have formed on the fur itself.
It’s a good idea to first moisten the dry or crusty eye discharge to make the combing process a bit easier.
- Works to remove eye crusting and prevent stains before they can form
- Use with caution in wiggly or bouncy pups, as the comb could cause trauma to the eye if accidentally poked
- Works best when used regularly to remove eye discharge and crust
Our Vet Pick: Best Chew
Wiggly pups might do better with a chew to help reduce tear stains instead of wipes, eye drops, or a comb.
If your dog is food-motivated, a tasty chew might be the perfect solution to help support their eye health and reduce tears that can cause stains.
The Zesty Paws Tear Stain Bites are formulated to support normal eye moisture, vision, and immune system function. They’re made with quercetin, lutein, AlaskOmega fish oil, and astaxanthin, ingredients known to support vision in dogs.
The chews also contain cran-max cranberry concentrate, marshmallow root, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and vitamin E for antioxidants that may support immunity.
According to our experts, the ingredients in this chew help to reduce eye inflammation. Inflammation of the eye can increase tear production and eye mucus, which are precursors to tear staining in dogs.
According to one of our vets, “A pet parent might be interested in a chew to help decrease the amount of eye discharge in their dog because it’s easier to prevent the discharge than to remove the tear stain once it’s there. Plus, chews have added benefits of supporting the health of the eye, something that wipes or rinses don’t offer.”
- The chews contain antioxidants—which may support immunity
- Check with your veterinarian before administering any new supplement—especially if your pet is on other medications or supplements
- Some dogs may not like the flavor
Our Vet Pick: Best Paste or Balm
This topical balm is made with all-natural ingredients and can easily be absorbed into your pup's skin for protection against damage that tear stains can cause. The dog balm works to treat cracked noses, paw pads, hot spots, and pressure points, and also creates a skin barrier resistant to infections.
We love that this waterproof balm is made without mineral oil or petroleum-based ingredients like soybean oil, so it’s safe for your pup (unless they have a contact allergy.)
A balm can help remove tear stains by partially dissolving the stain or removing built-up eye crusts that are the precursor to stains.
One of our vets uses this balm on their own dogs and highly recommends it, saying that the smell is pleasant and that their dogs tolerate it well.
Another benefit of using this balm for reducing tear stains is that it’s waterproof, so the tears can’t penetrate it and cause buildup on the fur.
- Balm can be used on other areas of the body
- Waterproof—which can create a barrier to tears
- Cannot be used on dogs less than 12 weeks old
- Avoid getting the balm in your dog’s eye
Our Vet Pick: Best Eye Cleaner
This eye-cleaning solution for dog tear stains can be applied topically to wipe away built-up mucus, dirt, and discharge that can cause dog tear stains.
We like that this formula contains chamomile extract and aloe vera to help soothe irritated skin around your pup’s eyes. We also like that the formula doesn’t contain artificial ingredients, parabens, or bleaching agents, which could cause further irritation.
It’s simple to use, too. Just apply some solution to a cotton ball and use it daily to wipe around your dog’s eyes.
Our vets recommend this tear stain remover to their clients, stating that it’s effective and soothing. This type of solution can be similar to eye wipes, but for pet parents who don’t like the waste that wipes create, a solution rinse may be a better option.
Just remember that this solution is for topical use on the skin around the eye only, making it different from the eye wash for dog tear stains on our list above.
- Good for all dog breeds
- Formulated with aloe vera and chamomile extract
- Does not contain bleaching agents, parabens, or artificial ingredients
Our Vet Pick: Best Wipe
Whether you want the best tear stain remover for white-fur dogs, need a solution for removing tear stains on puppies, or have a pet with lots of tears, these wipes are convenient and safe for daily use.
Our vets like that this presoaked textured wipe can help remove dirt and ocular discharge.
The unique formulation requires no rinsing and is made without harsh bleaching agents. Added chamomile extract and aloe vera help to soothe irritated areas.
- Easy to use pre-formulated wipes
- Safe for daily use
- Formulated with aloe vera and chamomile extract
