Maltese Guide

Maltese Tear Stains: Why They Happen and What Helps

Maltese tear stains are the rusty pink or brown streaks that run from the inner corner of the eye down the muzzle. They are common on white dogs because the color shows so clearly, and they can be anything from a cosmetic nuisance to a sign that something is irritating the eye.

This guide explains what the stain actually is, why a Maltese tears more than many dogs, which causes need a vet and the daily routine that works best. The coat side of face care is in the Maltese grooming guide.

Why do Maltese dogs get tear stains?

All dogs make tears, which drain out through a small channel in the corner of the eye into the nose. When that system cannot keep up, tears spill over the lid and run down the face. Tears contain pigments called porphyrins, which contain iron. On their own they are nearly colorless, but once they sit on damp hair and are exposed to light, they turn red-brown. Saliva and bacteria or yeast living in constantly wet fur can add to the color.

The Maltese is prone to this for a few reasons:

The coat is white, so any pigment is visible at once.
The face is small with large, prominent eyes close to the surface.
Long facial hair can fall into the eyes and wick tears onto the cheeks.
Tear ducts can be narrow or partly blocked, which is common in small breeds.

A stain is not dirt, and on its own it does not mean the dog is unwell. It is a trace of moisture that has stayed in the same place.

Do all Maltese have tear stains?

No. Some Maltese stay clean-faced for life, and others show mild staining only at certain times. The difference comes from the shape of the face, how the tear ducts drain, how the hair grows around the eyes and how well the face is kept dry.

Staining often appears or worsens at predictable moments:

During teething, roughly between four and seven months of age, when puppies commonly tear more.
Seasons when pollen or dust irritate the eyes.
After a change of household products, such as new cleaners, candles or air fresheners.
When the face hair grows long enough to touch the eyes.

If your puppy is young and the staining is mild, it often settles down. A guide to Maltese puppy growth stages shows when teething and coat changes tend to happen, and the Maltese puppy care guide covers the daily routine that keeps a young face comfortable.

When are tear stains a sign of a health problem?

Normal staining is slight, symmetrical and not painful. Book a vet visit when you see any of these:

Sudden new tearing in a dog that had a clean face before.
Squinting, pawing at the eye, redness or cloudiness.
Thick yellow or green discharge, or a smell from the face.
One eye affected much more than the other.
Staining that keeps getting worse despite good face care.

The vet will look for the cause. The possibilities include a blocked or narrow tear duct, extra or ingrown eyelashes, eyelids that roll inward, a scratch on the surface of the eye, allergies, or an infection. Simple tests, such as putting a dye in the eye to see if it drains, can tell a blocked duct from an overflow caused by something else. Many of these conditions are treatable, and early treatment protects the eye. The wider picture of the breed's eye and other health issues is in the Maltese health problems guide.

How do you clean Maltese tear stains safely?

The aim is to keep the area clean and dry. A routine that takes two minutes a day does more than any single product:

Wipe under each eye once or twice a day with a soft cloth dampened in warm water, or with an eye wipe designed for dogs.
Use a fine comb to lift the dried crust at the corner of the eye. Move gently and always away from the eye.
Dry the fur afterward with a clean, dry cloth, as a damp area is where staining builds.
Wash the face when the dog has its bath and rinse the area thoroughly, as soap residue can irritate.

Hair that is already stained will not turn white again, however carefully you clean. The stain grows out as the coat does. A groomer can trim it away, and if you want a quicker result you can have the stained hair clipped short.

Avoid putting peroxide, bleach or human whitening products anywhere near the eyes, and be careful with home remedies found online. If a product stings, the dog will keep rubbing at the face, which makes everything worse.

What are the best ways to prevent Maltese tear stains?

Prevention depends on reducing the amount of moisture that reaches the hair and removing triggers that cause extra tearing.

Keep hair out of the eyes. A small topknot or a trimmed face keeps lashes and hair from touching the eye surface.
Keep the face dry. Wipe it after meals, drinks and baths.
Use clean bowls. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls washed daily are easier to keep free of bacteria than plastic, which can scratch and hold germs.
Reduce irritants. Avoid smoke, strong sprays and dusty bedding, and keep shampoo out of the eyes at bath time.
Brush teeth and keep the mouth healthy. Dental problems can sometimes add to tearing in small dogs.
Keep up with vet visits. Allergies and eye conditions are far easier to manage when caught early.

Some owners also give filtered or bottled water, because tap water mineral content is thought by some to play a part. The evidence for this is thin, but it costs little to try.

Does food affect tear stains in Maltese?

It can, but not in the way many sales claims suggest. Food allergies and sensitivities can cause itchy skin and watery eyes in some dogs, and in those dogs a change of diet may reduce tearing. There is no proven diet that prevents tear stains in every Maltese.

Choose a complete diet from a reputable maker that suits the dog's age and size. The guide to feeding a Maltese covers portions and foods to avoid.
If you suspect an allergy, do a structured trial with your vet rather than switching foods every week, which hides the answer.
Be wary of supplements and powders that promise to clear the stain. Some contain antibiotics, and giving an antibiotic without a vet's direction is not safe for the dog or helpful for resistance.
Avoid dyes and heavily processed treats if the dog reacts to them.

Treat diet as one possible factor to test with a vet, not a cure for tears that are caused by the shape of the eyelid or a blocked duct.

Are tear stains a reason to avoid a Maltese?

No. Most people who keep Maltese treat face care as a small daily habit, much like brushing teeth. A dog with a few stains can still be healthy, happy and very much a good pet. The point is to understand the cause, so a mild cosmetic issue stays that way.

When you meet a puppy or its parents, look at the eyes and the face. Clear, bright eyes with little crust and no squinting are a better sign than a perfectly white face on a freshly bathed dog. Whichever breeder you choose, ask whether the parents have had eye examinations, and what has been noticed about tearing in the family. The available Maltese puppies page has photographs of each puppy's face.

Quick Answers

Do Maltese puppies get tear stains more than adults?

Often yes. Teething, growing hair and developing tear ducts can all lead to extra tearing in the first year, and many puppies grow out of it.

Can tear stains be removed completely?

The color in hair that is already stained will not lift reliably. Stains fade as the stained hair grows out and is trimmed, provided the cause is controlled.

Are tear stains painful for the dog?

Staining itself does not hurt. Pain, squinting or redness points to an eye problem, so those signs deserve a vet visit.

Is it safe to use a store-bought tear stain remover?

Some are gentle, but products used near the eyes can sting or irritate. Ask your vet which product is safe for your dog, and never use one that contains an antibiotic unless your vet prescribes it.

How often should you wipe a Maltese's face?

Once or twice a day is plenty for most dogs, with an extra wipe after a messy meal or a long drink. Wiping many times a day can irritate the skin, so keep each pass gentle and quick.