I am sure this is a common question!

[Lexi's_mama]

You are all probably sick of this question by now but I am a newbie! so go easy on me! :wink5:

I hear certain foods worsen the maltese's tear staining. What kind of food do you feed your maltese to avoid tear staining? I hear to stay away from wheat and coloring. I am feeding lexi Natural Choice with angel eyes in it. Her treats may be an issue tho. I give her different kinds.

Thanks! :)

[bek74]

I think it depends on the dog. What works for one dog may not work for another. I recommend staying away from food colouring. Some people believe that Beet Pulp adds to staining, but in actual fact the beet pulp used is WHITE, not the salad beetroot we eat.
Everydog can react differently to different foods. Some dogs get staining if the food they eat has beet pulp, wheat, chicken etc etc and yet others may not.
Age is a big thing also, because if your baby is still young it can be a teething issue, it could be a yeast infection, it could be the water you use. Honestly the list can go on and on. Its all trial and error no two dogs are ever the same, bit like skin kids.

Good luck

[Sassy's Mommy]

Teething can be a major factor in tear staining. So you may not see an improvement until after she has finished teething. I feed Sassy Natural Balance Venison and Sweet Potato. It has limited ingredients and no grains.

[Morkie4]

I agree I think it depends a lot on the particular dog. I know I try to stay away from the tomato pumace that a lot of manufacturers put in their product by finally decided that it was better to feed healthy than worry about one small ingredient. But I do avoid red dyes which the major manufacturers eliminate also. If you can get hold of a high quality product, you are better off. Tear stains can be caused my teething, ear infections, eye irritations, stress. I also find that washing the face daily is a key to keeping a clean, white face. The quick fix antibiotics can only be used after a certain age and for a limited time or you risk them developing immunity to anitibiotics and then when they are ill and "need" the meds, they are not as effective so be careful about using antibiotics on a regular bases.

Did I go easy on ya? :D

[JesBred]

I feed Taste of the Wild although it has neither eliminated nor contributed to Mitzy's eye stains. I wash her face every morning with a warm cloth and then comb out the goop with a flea comb. I recently started using Spa Lavish facial scrub too to see if it helps.

[Alana]

I am one of the lucky ones. Vincent has no tear staining.

He eats Iams Proactive Health for toy breeds. Not my choice!! It's the only food he will eat. I want him on a natural food with no filler's or by product's (I hate to even type those words!! Fillers/by products..yuck) but he will have none of that. He won't even eat a high quality canned. Just the Iams.

Stubborn boy.

[JesBred]

I am one of the lucky ones. Vincent has no tear staining.

He eats Iams Proactive Health for toy breeds. Not my choice!! It's the only food he will eat. I want him on a natural food with no filler's or by product's (I hate to even type those words!! Fillers/by products..yuck) but he will have none of that. He won't even eat a high quality canned. Just the Iams.

Stubborn boy.

Have you tried mixing the Iams with a food without fillers?? Mine used to eat Iams too and LOVED every bite of it but when I tried to switch they wouldn't eat. So I mixed it and now they will eat any food they try :tounge:

[Zanadu'sMom]

I think it depends on the dog. What works for one dog may not work for another. I recommend staying away from food colouring. Some people believe that Beet Pulp adds to staining, but in actual fact the beet pulp used is WHITE, not the salad beetroot we eat.
Everydog can react differently to different foods. Some dogs get staining if the food they eat has beet pulp, wheat, chicken etc etc and yet others may not.
Age is a big thing also, because if your baby is still young it can be a teething issue, it could be a yeast infection, it could be the water you use. Honestly the list can go on and on. Its all trial and error no two dogs are ever the same, bit like skin kids.

Good luck

:lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2: Me and you and the beet pulp :lol2::lol2:
Oh good lord the memories.
For those that don't know me and Bek were at odds in the threads at another forum over this very topic(Years ago), this is how we became friends. And to think I thought you and me were going to clash for years to come, I ended up loving ya :hearter:

[jdy]

I think it depends on the dog. What works for one dog may not work for another. I recommend staying away from food colouring. Some people believe that Beet Pulp adds to staining, but in actual fact the beet pulp used is WHITE, not the salad beetroot we eat.
Everydog can react differently to different foods. Some dogs get staining if the food they eat has beet pulp, wheat, chicken etc etc and yet others may not.
Age is a big thing also, because if your baby is still young it can be a teething issue, it could be a yeast infection, it could be the water you use. Honestly the list can go on and on. Its all trial and error no two dogs are ever the same, bit like skin kids.

Good luck

Bek you wrote everything out good...

Just wanted to add we moved to our new home that has carpet, I noticed deuci has been tearing a little more, AND his coat on the tip is damaged.
Try to keep your furkid face as dry as you can whenever you see it tearing you should dry it up. I know a breeder who uses wraps when they tear.

[bek74]

:lol2::lol2: Me and you and the beet pulp :lol2::lol2:
Oh good lord the memories.
For those that don't know me and Bek were at odds in the threads at another forum over this very topic(Years ago), this is how we became friends. And to think I thought you and me were going to clash for years to come, I ended up loving ya :hearter:

:lol2::lol2::lol2: I remember all to well, Geez that would be like 4yrs ago now.
See ya couldn't help but end up loving me, turned out we are just so much alike and have almost everything in common with each other (even down to our 3 sons LOL)

Thank goodness for that Beetpulp thread, I made a very special and dear friend from it. :hearter::hearter: XOXOXOXO