Have you noticed that your Pomeranian has pink, reddish, or dark stains under their eyes? Usually, such stains aren’t part of your Pomeranian normal complexion but are the result of tears. Hence the name tear stains.
So, how to clean Pomeranian tear stains? To remove your Pomeranian tear stains, you have to apply a liquid stain remover and a stain remover powder to the discolored stops. Depending on the degree of staining, you might have to continue the treatment for about two weeks.
So, let’s see what causes tear stains in Pomeranians and how to deal with them. Just keep on reading.
What Are the Top Causes of Pomeranian Tear Stains?
To understand why your Pomeranian has tear stains, you should know what these spots are and how to distinguish them from other eye problems.
So, tear strains are discolored fur around your Pomeranian’s eyes. Their color varies from pink to rusty to dark brown, and they’re more visible on white Poms or those with light fur.
Light-colored Pomeranians rarely have natural discoloration around the eyes, and any rings around the eye area signals tear stain. However, these stains might be hard to notice on black or chocolate Pomeranians.
Usually, tear stains affect the area under the eyes, but sometimes they circle the eye. They don’t develop overnight but take a few months to appear. Any sudden discolorations around the eyes probably aren’t tear stains, and you should consult with a vet.
Without treatment, these stains are going to spread to the muzzle, cheeks, and between the eyes. They can change the texture of the facial hairs and make them crispy and difficult to brush.
So, what causes the appearance of these tear stains? As the name suggests, most stains are the result of tears. You probably don’t know it, but Pomeranian tears have a natural coloring compound called porphyrins.
So, if your Pomeranian’s fur remains damp from tears, the hairs are going to stain. You might not notice it on dark-colored Poms, but the staining is there.
Moreover, wet and damp fur is the perfect breeding ground for red yeast, which also stains the hair around the eyes.
But the more important question is what causes excessive tearing in Pomeranians. A lot of people think that dogs cry when they’re sad, but humans are the only people who shed tears because of emotional distress.
Usually, allergies are the most common reason why your Pomeranian has excessive tearing. In this case, the eyes’ fluid will be watery and clear, while yellow or green eye discharge points to an infection.
Besides allergies, Pomeranians often get runny eyes because of a blocked tear duct. The excessive tearing might be the only sign of trouble, but your Pomeranian might also have an itchy or slightly red eye.
Sometimes Pomeranians also have problems with eyelashes or eyelids turned inwards, which causes excessive tearing. In such cases, your Pomeranian should be examined by a vet and receive treatment.
Pomeranian puppies don’t get tear stains as often as adult ones because these spots take time to develop. However, tear stains can appear at any age as long as there’s enough moisture to discolor the hair.
How to Remove Pomeranian Tear Stains in 5 Steps
Now that you know what causes your Pomeranian’s eyes to water, you have to learn how to clean Pomeranian tears strains. Here’s a quick guide to help you.
1. Identify the Cause
First, you have to find out why your Pomeranian has runny eyes and deal with the underlying cause. If you don’t, your Pomeranian eyes will continue to tear and stain their facial hair.
Moreover, some eye conditions might affect your Pomeranian’s vision, and you want them fixed as soon as possible. So, you should consult with your vet before you start cleaning your Pomeranian’s tear stains.
2. Gather Your Supplies
To clean your Pomeranian tear stains, you should have the right supplies. Don’t ever use cornstarch powder, hydrogen peroxide, or bleach. You’re going to damage your Pomeranian’s eyes or irritate them at the least.
What I recommend is Petpost Tear Stain Remover Wipes (link to read reviews on Amazon). Their products contain safe ingredients that draw the moisture from the fur and inhibits the growth of yeast and bacteria.
These removers also repel tears and keep your Pomeranian’s face dry. Moreover, they are safe to use on puppies.
For the best results, you should use the liquid solution and the powder combined.
You also need make-up pads, cotton cloths, or a brush to apply the liquid cleaner and the powder.
3. Clean Your Pomeranian’s Tear Stains with the Liquid Remover
Get a cotton pad and soak it with the liquid solution. Then wipe the tear stains under one of the eyes. Then repeat the same procedure with the other eye.
It’s important to wet the stains thoroughly with the liquid remover.
4. Apply the Powder
Once you’ve cleaned your Pomeranian’s tear stain with Petpost’s solution, it’s time to apply the powder. You can use your fingers or a brush to make sure that you cover the whole stained area.
Try not to get the powder into your Pomeranian’s eyes. If you do, don’t panic. It doesn’t contain harmful chemicals and shouldn’t irritate your Pom’s eyes.
When you’ve worked the powder into the stains, you should let it absorb the moisture. Don’t remove it, but wait for it to flake off on its own.
5. Clean Your Pomeranian’s Tear Stains Daily
For this treatment to work, you have to apply the liquid and the powder daily. Otherwise, it won’t be very effective and might take longer to work.
How to Prevent Pomeranian Tear Stains?
So, can you prevent Pomeranian tear stains? Yes, you can. Here’re are a couple of tips to get you started.
1. Change the Food
Always feed your Pomeranian a high-quality dog food. Low-quality one doesn’t have all the nutrients your Pomeranian needs to thrive, and it’s filled with ingredients that can cause allergy.
2. Remove Irritants
A lot of things can irritate your Pomeranian’s eyes. I’m talking about cigarette smoke, perfumes, sprays, pollen, mold, dust mines, and so on.
Plastic bowls can also cause staining around the eyes, so you’d want to change to ceramic or metal ones.
Removing or limiting your Pomeranian’s exposure to irritates will reduce the amount of discharge from the eyes.
However, sometimes that’s easier said than done. If you can’t narrow down what’s causing your Pomeranian’s allergic reaction, you should consult with your vet.
3. Give Your Pomeranian Purified Water
Sometimes water rich in iron and other minerals can contribute to tear stains. That’s why you should get your Pomeranian purified or distilled water. Or you can get a filter and purify the water at home.
Besides high mineral content, unfiltered water sometimes gets contaminated, which might lead to an allergic reaction.
4. Groom Your Pomeranian
Wipe your Pomeranian’s eyes daily if they’re watering excessively. That will keep the moisture from building up. Trimming the hair around the eyes also helps to keep the area dry and prevents bacteria overgrowth.
If you’re nervous about cutting the fur beneath your Pomeranian’s eye, you should take your Pom to a groomer to do it for you.
Closing Thoughts
Usually, tear strains aren’t dangerous for your Pomeranian’s health. However, excessive eye watering isn’t normal for your Pomeranian, and you have to find the cause. Pomeranians often have eye issues, so you shouldn’t ignore tear strains.