Does anyone know any homemade recipes for dog tear stains?

My papillon suffers from tearstains. I have been to the vet and they are typical small dog tear stains. Anyone have good alternatives to buying creams or drops that I can make myself?

Pampers fragrance-free baby wipes used daily will keep the stains away.One toy poodle site says they give 1/4 of a Tums per day to keep them tear-stain free, but I would first call the vet about that one..(one English bulldog breeder says they give one tums per day, so it may be a common remedy, but I would sure ask a vet first)

Of course you must be careful using anything around a dog's *eyes*, but I've read several home remedies:Milk of Magnesia, corn starch and peroxide (20 volume to 40 volume)Use equal volume of MOM and peroxide, and then use the corn starch to make a good paste of this; put on and work well into the stained area and let dry overnight. Wash out, CONDITION WELL. Keep doing this for several days until tear staining is gone, although I would recommend skipping a day or two between applications if possible(From:http://www.bhejei.com/tearsta.htm)TUMS If you need to change the pH of your dogs system to aid in preventing yeast or infection then Tums is primarily a source of Calcium, known as an antacid formulated as 500 mg Calcium Carbonate. Giving your Bulldog 1/2 of the Fruit flavored variety twice a day will help change the pH of the tears. This will change the tears' environment and can help make it hostile for the continued growth of yeast and bacteria.White VinegarA teaspoon of white cider vinegar can be added to your dogs drinking water to control new tear stains. It may take a while for your dog to "decide" to drink this water so start with a little less and gradually increase the amount of vinegar. Vinegar works much like TUMS in that it can changes the pH of the drinking water. Changing the pH of your dog slightly will do wonders in the tear stain war and help eliminate bacteria and deep stain color and prevent yeast build up and is best used as a prevention once you have the tear stains removed or nearly removed. This will help for the future of the tear stains and make them a minimum occurrence.(2 above from: http://www.bulldogsworld.com/tear.html)Of course, always check with your vet first!Michelehttp://www.e-dog-training.com

I don't know any homemade products but I use Eye Envy it is all natural and will not hurt your baby's eyes if it gets in them. It will not hurt if they lick their paws or if they lick it around the mouth area. I am attaching some questions and answers from the site I purchase from. Eye Envy is the most effective product for curing runny, ugly tear stains on your dog or cat. Our solution removes tearstains effectively, safely and gently. Eye Envy is an eye treatment solution that is non-irritating and proven to prevent eye leakage and discharge, quickly and through an easy to use method that your pet will thank you for. Eye Envy also comes in an herbal version. It is guaranteed to be effective, endorsed by veterinarians, catteries, and groomers the world over. If your pet is prone to tearstains, Eye Envy is for you. It is also effective in treating urine stains, red yeast infections, food stains, helping droolers, and of course for that unsightly brown goop around the eyes that affects dogs and cats everywhere.Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: What causes excessive tearing and staining:A: Staining can be caused by a variety of things:Clogged or Shallow Tear Ducts: Studies indicate that 20-25% of small dogs and cats are born with closed of shallow tear ducts. Tears overflow because there the eyelid space is not deep enough to contain them. Excessive Tearing: When the face hair is wet from excessive tearing, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast infections (AKA: Red Yeast, which causes deep reddish-brown stains); Low grade bacteria infections may also cause excessive tearing. Cutting Teeth: Cutting teeth may cause changes in the head & mouth structure of your pet, placing pressure on the tear ducts. Irritation & Allergies: Some animals get hair or eyelashes into their eyes causing irritation. Many breeds are susceptible to allergies. Shampoos and other chemicals can also irritate their eyesSome foods cause allergic reactions; animals may also build an allergic reaction over time to a type of food. Water: Water with high mineral levels causes staining Food & Treats: Diet can play a significant role in tearing. Many commercial foods contain additives, preservatives and food coloring. This could lead to staining. Fleas: Fleas survive in moisture, which they get from the eye or moth area. This could cause irritation and in addition red stains left behind may be from flea feces. These are just a few reasons. There are MANY more!! Q: What is Eye Envy so different that all the other products that I've bought and don't work?A: Eye Envy works at the true problem, a bacteria infection. Eye Envy contains a cleanser, an astringent (to dry the area) and herbal flower extract (acts as a natural antibiotic) and an antibacterial. Eye Envy is a topical tear stain remover. Other products are often masked as palatable supplements, taking months to work and requiring your pet to ingest antibiotics (e.g. tylan, tylosin as tartrate, collidal silver). Q: What if I've used bleach or peroxide to clean the area around the eyes?A: Bleach/Peroxide make the hair shaft very pourous, causing the stain to set into the hair. Eye Envy will only lighten the areas previously damaged by bleach or peroxide, but all regrowth will be clean.PLEASE do not use peroxide, bleach or woolite on your animals. Q: Is Eye Envy safe to use on my pregnant dog or cat?A: Yes. Since Eye Envy is applied externally, it is 100% safe to use on pregnant, lactating and even small kittens (over the age of 7 weeks).Q: Should Eye Envy be refrigerated? If so, how long is it's shelf life?A: NO WE CARRY THE BRAND NEW NO REFRIGERATION REQUIRED PRODUCT. THIS PRODUCT HAS A SHELF LIFE OF 3-4 MONTHS..Q: Is Eye Envy applied inside the eyes?A: No. Eye Envy is to be applied externally only.Q: What happens if a small amount gets into my pets eyes?A: There is nothing to worry about is some solution gets into your pets eyes. The ingredients are safe and have been tested. Q: How many pads come in a jar?A: There are approximately 28-30 pads per jar. Our pads are made of special material to avoid any "fuzz" from getting into your pets eyes.Q: Can I use Eye Envy on my dog/cats legs, tail, mouth area? Is it safe?A: Yes. The ingredients will not harm your animal. Also, EE can be used for chin acne and urine stains.Q: Should I refrigerate my product when it arrives?A: NO WE CARRY THE BRAND NEW NO REFRIGERATION REQUIRED PRODUCT. THIS PRODUCT HAS A SHELF LIFE OF 3-4 MONTHS.Q: I have a white dog, do you recommend the powder?A: Yes! With any white animals it is recommended to use both the solution and the powder. Q: Does Eye Envy fade/bleach colored animals?A: No. The produt does not contain any peroxides or bleaching agents. Your pets hair will not discolor.http://stores.ebay.com/S-B-PET-PRODUCTS