Have you ever seen a dog with red or brown marks under their eyes? Maybe you thought it looked like "goop"? This is actually called tear staining and can be caused by a number of underlying conditions.

Canine tear stains can actually be the result of an ear infection. To prevent ear infections clean out your dog's ears regularly with a cleansing solution, and if you suspect an ear infection has already set in, pay the vet a visit; as ear infections subside, tear markings should too. Another underlying cause could be allergies. Dogs can suffer reactions to environmental factors, such as food or particles in the air, just like humans. If you notice that your dog's tear stains get worse in certain situations, you should have their allergies checked out. Blocked tear ducts are another culprit for tear stains. They are uncommon; however they require the assistance of a veterinarian to be cured. Other factors that may contribute to tear markings are bacteria growth (red yeast) and water; sometimes water contains minerals that may contribute to the discolouration.

Certain dog breeds are more susceptible to tear staining, especially ones with light coloured fur. These breeds include: English bulldogs, Chihuahuas, Maltese, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Poodles, French Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Cockapoos, Bichon Frise, Lhasa Apsos, Havanese, Cocker Spaniels and King Charles Cavaliers. If you have one of these dogs, you may have to provide extra care in order to keep their tear stains under control.

Unfortunately tear stains can cause a number of problems for outside of the unattractive look including: