Venison and potato minimized tear stains for my one dog; resulted in yeasty ears in another. Go figure.

I concentrate on changing food to get better results because beyond using "free and clear" type detergents, cleansers, and shampoo, there isn't a heck of a lot I can do about the outside environment.

None of my 5 dogs (plus 1 foster) have tear stains. I credit that to my grooming obsession rather than the food. The foster came in with terrible gunky eyes and folds. They are pretty much gone. I did change his food though.

When I first got Belle, she had dark brown gunky tear stains. She was on Avoderm food at the time. I switched her food and started wiping her face and the stains slowly went away. I should experiment and put her back on the Avoderm to see if it's me or the food making the difference. LOL


I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"

so far so good. Swithched from Blue Buffalo to NB Vegetarian and now I'm using the Sweet P. and Sal.

is normally only a concern for a growing bulldog puppy...adults should do fine on it - if your dogs get loose stool, cut back the serving size until it straightens out, with grain free & high protein you'll obviously feed less

Dixie used to eat Wellness Core, Reduced fat, Evo, Orijen, etc.. and did just fine on them - if you want grain free and low protein try Now (see link)

http://www.petcurean.com/index.php?page_id=160

Diesels feet get a bit red between the toes and his ears gunk up a bit easy but I never knew that could be due to food, always thought it was his play habits and he is big into rolling around in the bushes and dirt. My girl audi has had many foods with no issues to any but she does get tear stains.. Its been recently that I have heard and seen more responses to tear stains related to diet.

I've tried the NB Venison, Duck, and Fish recipes.

Had two dogs on the fish for quite a while before they developed ear and feet issues. Venison caused skin break out right away, so I switched to Duck.

Junior is on NB Duck now. I don't even have to clean his ears, BUT he licks his feet and they are red between toes. No tear stains.

Took Teddy off NB Duck because of feet irritation issues. Put him on Canidae Lamb and Rice. Feet look great, BUT ears are gunking up. No tear stains.

Tried Roxy on NB Duck and her stomach can't handle it. Too rich, I guess. Put her back on Hill's Prescription i/d. Tummy is good, BUT one ear is red.

Belle is on Canidae Lamb and Rice. Nose folds are irritated, BUT ears are clear.

Trying Zymox Otic on Ted and Roxy's ears.

Wish I could find a perfect food!


I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"

I considered using this as well cause its rated a top notch food but the 34-35g of protein scared me away...

and have had no problems with it. I recently switched to the venison and sweet potatoe formula and so far so good no problems with it. Bentley has grain food allergies and both of these foods work great for him.

GAVE my bully baaddd gasssss ..but we are using wellness core with great results

Christiane& Meatball

I don't see a difference between them.

Hope everyone has a great day

it's got to be my compulsive grooming.


I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"

Tanks, I feed nb. Change formulas about every 6 months. Right now they are on the duck,before that it was the venison. They do get nb treats.

I wash all folds with a soapy wet cloth in the tub during weekly bath (or every 2 weeks in winter) and then wipe faces after every meal with a damp cloth. If anyone has runny eyes, I blot with a dry tissue. I guess I'm just anal about grooming. That's the only reason I can think of because even the foster dog's tear stains clear up while with me.

What food are you feeding? My dogs rarely get people food other than a little cheese if they are getting a pill. I don't buy dog cookies or treats. I've trained hubby to give a nibble of their kibble as treats. They think a piece of kibble is a "cookie."






I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"

What is your method for removing them? I am going crazy with them and nothing I've tried worked.