Your dog could have tear stains for many reasons, including food intolerances. According to the American Kennel Club, some dogs see a reduction in tear stains after changing diets, we recommend a switch to a high-quality, limited-ingredient dog food.¹

Before you change your dog’s food, though, schedule a vet appointment. You’ll want to rule out physical conditions like clogged tear ducts or other eye abnormalities. If changing dog food brands is an option that you should pursue, we hope that these reviews give you a good starting point.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

The 10 Best Dog Foods for Tear Stains

1. Ollie Fresh Dog Food Chicken Dish With Carrots — Best Overall

Ollie Fresh Dog Food Chicken Dish With Carrots is the best overall dog food for tear stains. Dogs love the taste of chicken and vegetables, while superfoods like spinach and cranberries offer a nutritional boost, and all of Ollie’s dog foods are free of artificial ingredients, other than the added vitamins and minerals that all dog foods contain.

Ollie is available online via a subscription service, so while you won’t be able to go and pick it up from the store, its delivery service is easy and efficient. You fill out a short quiz about your pup and then receive a starter box in the mail. Subscribers have the flexibility to delay or change upcoming orders. Ollie recommends that you slowly transition your dog to the food over 7 days.

As you probably guessed, this isn’t the cheapest dog food you can buy, but several reviewers have stated that Ollie’s fresh food costs the same as a prescription diet but has higher-quality ingredients.

---

2. Gentle Giants Chicken Small Bite Dog & Puppy Dry Food — Budget Buy

While the packaging does look a bit strange, the Gentle Giants Chicken Small Bite Dog & Puppy Dry Food is free from corn, wheat, soy, and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. It is fortified with antioxidants to support your dog’s immune system and probiotics to promote healthy digestion.

It also includes things like menhaden fish meal, which has tons of omega fatty acids. These help improve your dog’s coat and skin. Sweet potatoes, pumpkin, apples, and other ingredients add extra fiber and other nutrients that your canine needs.

The ingredients list is a little long, but many of the ingredients are superfoods that bring a lot of nutrition to your dog’s meal. At 9%, the protein content of this food is low for a dry diet.

• Related Read: Gentle Giants Dog Food Review

---

3. Purina Pro Plan Adult Shredded Blend Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

We also highly recommend the Purina Pro Plan Adult Shredded Blend Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food. Purina is a well-trusted dog food brand known for few recalls. When you consider how much food it makes, that is truly astonishing!

This formula includes hard kibble combined with tender, shredded pieces for taste and texture. Your dog should absolutely adore this food if they’re looking for variety. It also has salmon as the first ingredient, which helps with your dog’s skin and coat health. Vitamin A and omega fatty acids are added for this purpose too.

We love that this formula is fortified with probiotics for digestive health. Your dog’s gut is a huge part of their immune system, and probiotics can prevent them from getting sick.

---

4. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Sensitive Skin Small Bites Dry Dog Food

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Sensitive Skin Small Bites Dry Dog Food comes from a premium dog food brand, with all-natural ingredients designed to support dogs with sensitive skin and stomachs. The formula is highly digestible with prebiotic fiber to maximize stool quality. Omega-6 fatty acids help your pup’s skin and coat.

The small bites are great for smaller dogs, and the product also comes in other sizes. Unfortunately, you can only purchase this food in chicken flavor, so it won’t work if your dog is sensitive to chicken in the diet. Other than that, the ingredient list is fairly short and good quality.

---

5. Nulo Frontrunner Ancient Grains Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Dogs of all sizes can develop tear stains. However, small breeds like Toy Poodles, Shih Tzus, and Malteses are more susceptible. This Nulo Frontrunner Ancient Grains Small Breed Dry Dog Food meets the dietary needs of little dogs. Despite the “turkey” and “whitefish” name, this recipe also contains chicken and dried egg products. The added probiotics make it easy on most stomachs.

While many owners love this food, a few report that the kibble is too big for tiny canine mouths. The omega-3 and omega-6 can help improve your dog’s fur and skin, though, and Nulo differentiates itself from other small breed dog foods by offering high-protein and low-glycemic nutrition. This diet is calorie-dense so we don’t recommend it for pups needing to shed extra weight.

• Also Read: Nulo Dog Food Review

---

6. Solid Gold Hund-n-Flocken Lamb, Brown Rice & Pearled Barley Recipe Whole Grain Adult Dry Dog Food

Solid Gold bills itself as “America’s first holistic pet food.” All of its dog food formulas are free of artificial preservatives. While lamb is the primary protein source, this food also contains ocean fish meal and chicken fat. Solid Gold Hund-n-Flocken Lamb, Brown Rice & Pearled Barley Recipe Whole Grain Adult Dry Dog Food offers probiotics and superfoods in their recipe to keep your pup in top shape. Pumpkin and ground flaxseed are tasty additions that boost the fiber content.

---

7. Wellness Complete Health Adult Whitefish & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food

You may feel like you’re out of options if your dog is sensitive or allergic to chicken, wheat, and soy. Dog foods with alternative protein sources like lamb, bison, and venison are harder to come by and more expensive. Wellness Complete Health Adult Whitefish & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food is free of these three ingredients and a good choice if your dog tolerates fish and benefits from grains like barley and oats, and the added omegas are good for your dog’s fur and skin.

This isn’t the cheapest dog food for tear stains, but it’s also not the most expensive. The caloric density is higher than some other foods. That means your dog may need to eat less than with other brands, and it could be easy to overfeed them. Check with your vet if you have questions about how many calories your dog should eat daily.

One disadvantage to this brand is that Wellness does not offer a trial or sample sizes. Some owners report that small dogs have difficulty chewing the large kibble size.

---

8. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein HP Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein HP Dry Dog Food is one of the best hypoallergenic diets you can get. The protein in this diet has been broken down into low molecular weight particles, meaning it produces fewer allergic reactions in the gastrointestinal tract and skin. This is a great option for pets with more severe food allergies. The omega-3 fatty acids provide an anti-inflammatory benefit to your pet’s gut and skin.

This diet is available with the approval of your vet only. It is a pricey option, but one that could be well worth it for dogs in need of a hypoallergenic formula. The high-fat content means it is not a good option for pups sensitive to fat or prone to pancreatitis. Most of the protein in this diet comes from hydrolyzed soy.

---

9. American Journey Protein & Grains Healthy Weight Salmon, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe Dry Dog Food

The American Journey Protein & Grains Healthy Weight Salmon, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe Dry Dog Food makes it possible for your dog to maintain a healthy weight, and potentially clear up tear stains. The primary protein sources in this food are salmon and fish meal, but it also contains chicken meal and chicken fat. Brown rice and barley provide a gentle source of grains, a food group that most dogs need in their diet. American Journey is one of the lesser-known dog food brands produced solely for Chewy.

It’s difficult to find third-party information about American Journey, but the company states that it makes its dog food in the U.S. with domestic and imported ingredients.

---

10. Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Hearty Recipes Variety Pack Wet Dog Food

While Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Hearty Recipes Variety Pack Wet Dog Food meets the AAFCO’s nutrition guidelines for adult dogs, it contains less protein and fat than most other brands. Some dogs are sensitive to corn, wheat, or soy but will still benefit from grains. These Nutrish formulas rely on rice and tapioca for gentler and easier digestion.

This probably won’t be the wet food variety pack you reach for if your pup has protein sensitivities, as these contain a bit of everything: chicken, dried egg, and beef. That said, we like this food because it’s affordable and easy to find in stores. Dogs love the rich gravy and delicious recipes, while owners love the convenient packaging. The Nutrish varieties aren’t pâté or blended and look like their human counterparts of pot pie and stroganoff.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Food for Tear Stains

While several issues can cause tear stains, a poor-quality diet is one factor. Consult with your veterinarian before you switch your dog to a new food. You’ll want to rule out any physical abnormalities, like an eye or tear duct condition.

Contrary to current trends, most pups can tolerate grains. The most common canine food allergies are proteins. Grains provide an essential source of carbohydrates, a nutrient that your dog needs to provide energy. Identifying possible allergens and intolerances is difficult. Limited-ingredient dog foods like the ones on this list make it easier to identify potential allergens.

When evaluating different dog food brands, we considered money-back guarantees, trials, ingredient transparency, and value for the money. Every food on the list identifies the protein source. We did not include any foods with vague ingredients like “poultry by-products” and “bone meal.”

A few of the picks contain “natural flavor.” While we don’t like the lack of transparency surrounding this ingredient, it’s often far enough down the ingredient list that it may not be a cause for concern. We also prioritized brands that offer smaller packaging or a starter box, as you never know whether your dog will take to a new food.

Dog Food and Tear Stains: FAQ

Why does my dog suddenly have tear stains?

Environmental triggers are often to blame for your dog developing tear stains. In addition to a new diet, other culprits include sensitivity to a plastic food or water bowl and mineral content in your tap water. Allergies aren’t just for puppies. Dogs of all ages can develop food and environmental sensitivities.

Are tear stains painful for dogs?

The actual tear stains look worse than they feel. The brown streaks look unsightly to owners, especially on a white or light-colored dog. Most tear stains are not painful, but your dog will rub their paw or leg against their eyes if they experience discomfort. If eye discharge is not regularly cleaned it can lead to moist dermatitis which can be irritating.

What foods can cause tear stains in dogs?

Canine food allergies or intolerances can be challenging to pinpoint. You always want to start by consulting with your vet or a certified veterinary nutritionist. Dogs are often intolerant of common protein sources like chicken or beef. Quinoa, barley, and rice are often well-tolerated by pups that have problems with corn, soy, and wheat.

Top 3 Tips for Buying Dog Food for Tear Stains

Shopping for dog food to eliminate tear stains is challenging. These three tips can help you determine which brands might suit your pup.

1. Read the entire ingredient list.

A pet food company may advertise their product as “chicken” but still include beef fat. You’ll want to avoid foods that don’t specify the exact protein source, such as “bone meal”. Some companies still use artificial dyes, flavors, or preservatives. These ingredients can cause inflammation or other reactions, so look for dog food with all-natural ingredients.

Legumes like peas provide fiber and protein, but research has found a potential link to heart problems2. Check with your veterinarian before switching to any dog food with legumes as a primary ingredient.

2. Be ready for trial and error.

Even after a vet exam, you may not have a clear idea of possible food triggers. Finding a recipe that will clear up your dog’s tear stains can take trial and error. Transitioning to a new food should be done over several days or even 1 week. Start by mixing 25% of the new food with your dog’s current food. Then slowly increase the amount of new food.

3. Look for companies that offer money-back guarantees.

A handful of pet food companies offer a trial or a money-back guarantee if the food doesn’t work for your pup. These brands can be a good starting point if you don’t want to purchase a large bag of food or need to stay within a tighter budget.

Final Thoughts

If you want to get rid of your dog’s tear stains, you need to feed them a high-quality diet, and it doesn’t get much more high quality than Ollie. If you want your canine to look and feel healthier, this fresh dog food is the way to go.

That said, it is expensive. If you’re looking for something a bit more budget-friendly, we recommend Gentle Giants Chicken Small Bite Dog & Puppy Dry Food. It contains quality ingredients, including chicken as the primary ingredient, but it is much cheaper than similar foods.

We hope that you’ll find the ideal food for your pup among these reviews, so you can help mitigate tear stains and serve them healthy meals!

---

Featured Image Credit: Susan Schmitz, Shutterstock