If you have a Bichon Frize, you are probably familiar with tear stains. These are the reddish-brown markings on the fur around the Bichon’s eyes. It is natural for a dog to have some tearing and discharge from the eyes. White fur, however, shows the resulting spots more than dark fur. And if the staining 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 tears and staining can be caused by irritation. Is there an eyelash or strand of hair constantly brushing against the eye? Comb the fur on the face away from the eye area and, if necessary, trim the fur so it doesn’t come into contact with sensitive eyes.
Observe the condition of the teeth and gums. A broken or decayed tooth can cause tearing and staining of the eyes. Dental problems are painful and can turn into emergency situations, so get your Bichon to the vet quickly if you suspect anything.
If your bichon has fairly significant tear staining, your vet should check to make sure the tear ducts in the eyes are not blocked.
2) Change the diet. Many Bichon Frize owners have minimized tear stains by feeding their dog a different food. For some Bichons, eating grains contributes to tear staining. Try to reduce or eliminate grains from your diet. This means feeding him a raw diet or switching to one of the new grain-free dog kibbles, like Evo.
Before changing foods, you may want to check with your vet. If your bichon is on a special diet for medical reasons, you should certainly not vary it without your veterinarian’s approval. It is also very important that if you decide to feed him a raw diet, you make sure that it contains all the necessary nutrients. There are many grain-free frozen or dry dog foods available that offer an optimal balance of nutrition. Never feed your Bichon only meat as he will get sick very quickly from such an unbalanced and unhealthy diet.
3) Clean the eyes regularly. Part of your daily routine should be removing debris that accumulates in the corners of your dog’s eyes. Do not allow this material to build up as it irritates your Bichon and will contribute to tear staining.
Also, regularly clean your dog’s under-eye area with a boric acid solution. Boric acid is a powder that is 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 a half cup of boiling water. Let it cool. Soak a cotton ball in the solution, then gently wipe the stained area two to three times a day. Keep leftover boric acid solution covered and in the refrigerator for up to a week. You should notice an improvement within a few days. Boric acid treatment may be enough to keep your Bichon’s face looking pretty.
4) Use an antibiotic product. There are several products on the market that are quite effective in preventing tear stains. One of these is a powder called Angels’ Glow. You put a small amount of the powder in your bichon’s food every day.
The reason this type of product works is because it contains a small amount of specialized antibiotic. Some people don’t like the idea of giving antibiotics for cosmetic reasons alone. However, if the Bichon tear stain is severe enough, you may want to give it a try. It’s always a good idea to get your veterinarian’s opinion before giving your dog any type of medication or supplement.
Tear stains are a common problem in the Bichon Frize and can spoil the look of your beautiful dog. However, in most cases, tear stains can be greatly reduced by using one or more of these suggestions.