Your dog could have tear stains for many reasons, including food intolerances. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), some dogs see a reduction in tear stains after they switch to a high-quality, limited ingredient dog food.
Before you change your dog’s food, 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 you pursue, we hope these reviews give you a good starting point.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Ollie Fresh Dog Food Chicken Dish with Carrots
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Money-back guarantee
Click to Save 50%
Best Value
Purina Beyond Simple Ingredient Farm Raised Chicken
Inexpensive
Widely available in stores
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Check Price
Premium Choice
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet NP Novel Protein
Novel protein
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Check Price
Best for Puppies
Freely Turkey Recipe Puppy Whole Grain Dry Dog Food
Created just for puppies
No chicken or beef
Attentive customer service
Check Price
Vet’s Choice
Nulo Frontrunner Ancient Grains
No artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors
Calorie dense
Check Price
The 10 Best Dog Foods for Tear Stains
1. Ollie Fresh Dog Food Chicken Dish with Carrots – Best Overall
Click Here to Save 50% with Ollie
Main ingredients: Chicken, Carrots, Peas, Rice, Chicken liver
Protein content: 10% minimum
Fat content: 5% minimum
Calories: 1298 kcal ME/kg
We think Ollie chicken with carrots is the best overall choice for dogs with tear stains. Dogs love the taste of chicken and vegetables, while superfoods like spinach and chia seeds offer a nutritional boost, and all of Ollie’s dog foods are free of artificial ingredients. One downside to Ollie is that you can’t walk into a store and buy their food. Ollie is only available online via a subscription service. You fill out a short quiz about your pup, 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 their food over 11 days. If your dog doesn’t like the food in their starter box, contact the company for your money back. As you probably guessed, this isn’t the cheapest dog food you can buy. However, several reviewers state that Ollie’s fresh food costs the same as a prescription diet but has higher-quality ingredients.
Pros
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Money-back guarantee
Cons
Requires a subscription
Expensive
Purina is a pioneer in the pet food industry, having been in the business since 1926. We think the best dog food for tear stains for the money is their Beyond Simple Chicken & Whole Barley. Unlike some other big-name dog food brands, you won’t find artificial ingredients in this chicken and barely recipe. Despite having only “chicken” in the name, this recipe does contain beef fat. The “natural flavor” further down the ingredient list raises some questions. But this Purina formula is a solid choice if you need to strike a happy medium with healthier ingredients and price. You’ll find this and many other Purina’s Beyond Simple dog foods at most retailers.
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Money-back guarantee
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Money-back guarantee
Requires a subscription
Expensive
- Requires a subscription
- Expensive
Main ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Whole Barley, Canola Meal, Chicken Meal
Protein content: 24.0% minimum
Fat content: 14.0% minimum
Calories: 411 kcal/cup
Check Price on Chewy
Pros
Inexpensive
Widely available in stores
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Cons
Contains beef fat
Unclear what “natural flavor” is
Ask your veterinarian about Blue Buffalo’s Alligator Grain-Free formula if you’ve exhausted all of your other dog food options. Between the novel protein and lack of grains, most dogs won’t need a diet this specialized, but this recipe may be what you need if your pup seems allergic to everything or has skin issues in addition to tear stains. You can order this food from Chewy, but you will need your veterinarian’s authorization. Natural Veterinary Diet comes with one caveat: a possible link between legumes and canine heart problems. Your veterinarian will weigh any benefits of this food with your dog’s risk of heart trouble. This food is expensive, but it may be one of the few options for dogs that need a novel protein source, no grains, and no artificial ingredients. Ask your veterinarian if they have any samples before splurging on a large bag.
Inexpensive
Widely available in stores
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Inexpensive
- Widely available in stores
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Contains beef fat
Unclear what “natural flavor” is
- Contains beef fat
- Unclear what “natural flavor” is
Main ingredients: Deboned Alligator, Peas, Pea Starch, Alligator meal, Pea Protein
Protein content: 22.0% minimum
Fat content: 14.0% minimum
Calories: 372 kcal/cup
Pros
Novel protein
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Cons
Expensive
Requires a prescription
- Freely Turkey Recipe Puppy Whole Grain Dry Dog Food – Best for Puppies
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Main ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Oat Groats, Brown Rice, Pearled Barley
Protein content: 27% minimum
Fat content: 17% minimum
Calories: 397 Kcal ME/cup
Puppies have different nutritional needs than full-grown dogs. This turkey recipe from Freely meets the AAFCO’s guidelines for a healthy puppy diet. Eggs are listed further down the ingredient list, so this food may be unsuitable if your pup is highly sensitive or intolerant. Turkey seems to hit the spot for even the most discriminating puppy. Dog owners give Freely Turkey high ratings and say their pups lick their bowls clean. This food includes whole grain oats and barley to give your growing pup the necessary carbohydrates. The company has a Nutrition Center where you can speak directly with someone if you have any questions. While Freely is sold in many pet stores, the company does not offer a trial.
Novel protein
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Novel protein
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Expensive
Requires a prescription
- Expensive
- Requires a prescription
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Oat Groats, Brown Rice, Pearled Barley
Protein content: 27% minimum
Fat content: 17% minimum
Calories: 397 Kcal ME/cup
Pros
Created just for puppies
No chicken or beef
Attentive customer service
Cons
Contains eggs
No trial or sample sizes
Dogs of all sizes can develop tear stains. However, smaller breeds like poodles, Shih Tzus, and Malteses are more susceptible. This vet-approved 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 the most sensitive of stomachs. While many owners love this food, a few report that the kibble is too big for the tiniest canine mouths. The omega-3 and omega-6 can help improve your dog’s fur and skin, and Nulo differentiates itself from other small breed dog foods by offering “Low carbs and low-glycemic ingredients.” The smallest bag the company sells is a 5-pound bag, which is an investment for a small dog that may not like the food.
Created just for puppies
No chicken or beef
Attentive customer service
- Created just for puppies
- No chicken or beef
- Attentive customer service
Contains eggs
No trial or sample sizes
- Contains eggs
- No trial or sample sizes
Main ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal, Oats, Barley, Brown Rice
Protein content: 27.00% minimum
Fat content: 16.00% minimum
Calories: 432 kcal/cup
Pros
No artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors
Calorie dense
Cons
Multiple protein sources
Unclear what “natural flavor” is
Large kibble
Solid Gold bills itself as “America’s first holistic pet food.” All of their dog food formulas are free of artificial ingredients. While lamb is the primary protein source, this food does also contain ocean fish meal and chicken fat. Solid Gold Hund-n-Flocken Lamb, Brown Rice & Pearled Barley meets the needs of dogs that need a novel protein source but will still benefit from whole grains. Pumpkin and ground flaxseed are tasty additions that boost the fiber content.
No artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors
Calorie dense
- No artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors
- Calorie dense
Multiple protein sources
Unclear what “natural flavor” is
Large kibble
- Multiple protein sources
- Unclear what “natural flavor” is
- Large kibble
Main ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Pearled Barley, Oatmeal
Protein content: 22.0% minimum
Fat content: 10.0% minimum
Calories: 335 kcal/cup
Pros
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Easy-to-digest lamb
Cons
Unclear what “natural flavor” is
You may feel like you’re out of options if your dog is sensitive or allergic to beef and poultry. Dog foods with novel protein sources like lamb, bison, and venison are harder to come by and more expensive. Wellness Complete Health Adult Whitefish & Sweet Potato is 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 dog foods. That means your dog may need to eat less than 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 smaller dogs have difficulty chewing the larger kibble size.
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Easy-to-digest lamb
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Easy-to-digest lamb
Unclear what “natural flavor” is
- Unclear what “natural flavor” is
Main ingredients: Whitefish, Ground Barley, Peas, Menhaden Fish Meal, Oatmeal
Protein content: 22.0% minimum
Fat content: 12.0% minimum
Calories: 435 kcal/cup
Pros
No beef or poultry
No artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors
Cons
No trial or sample sizes
Larger kibble pieces
Dogs can develop tear stains and food sensitivities at any point in their lives. If your senior’s current dog food causes tear stains, check out this formula from Canidae. Many dogs go crazy for the blend of chicken, turkey, and sweet potatoes. Not all dogs will benefit from a grain-free diet, so talk with your vet if you have any questions. Garbanzo beans add fiber and carbohydrates, but there’s a possible link between legumes and heart problems in certain breeds.
No beef or poultry
No artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors
- No beef or poultry
- No artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors
No trial or sample sizes
Larger kibble pieces
- No trial or sample sizes
- Larger kibble pieces
Main ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Garbanzo Beans
Protein content: 28.0% minimum
Fat content: 10.0% minimum
Calories: 409 kcal/cup
Talk with your veterinarian before feeding your senior pup a grain-free diet that contains legumes like garbanzo beans. The company sources its ingredients from the U.S., except for duck (France) and lamb (New Zealand). The one ingredient we take issue with is “natural flavor.” While Canidae doesn’t use artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, we think dog owners need more transparency about this ingredient. This isn’t the cheapest dog food on the market, but it has a strong, loyal consumer base. Most negative reviews are over concerns that their dog didn’t like the taste.
Pros
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Cons
Expensive
Contains unspecified “natural flavor”
This formula from American Journey makes it possible for your dog to maintain a healthy weight and 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.
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Expensive
Contains unspecified “natural flavor”
- Expensive
- Contains unspecified “natural flavor”
Main ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal, Brown Rice, Peas, Barley
Protein content: 25% minimum
Fat content: 9% minimum
Calories: 305 kcal/cup
It’s difficult to find information about American Journey, but the company states that they make their dog food in the U.S. with domestic and imported ingredients. While PetSmart owns Chewy, our research shows that at this time, you can only buy American Journey online. Legumes like peas provide fiber and protein, but research has found a potential link to heart problems in certain breeds. Check with your veterinarian before switching to any dog food with legumes as a primary ingredient.
Pros
No artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors
Cons
Only available on Chewy
While these Nutrish wet foods meet the AAFCO’s nutrition guidelines for adult dogs, they contain much less protein and fat than other brands on our list. Some dogs are sensitive to corn, wheat, or soy but will still benefit from grains. These three Nutrish formulas rely on rice and tapioca for gentler and easier digestion. All three of these varieties contain legumes in the form of pea protein, an ingredient that researchers say has a possible link to canine heart problems.
No artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors
- No artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors
Only available on Chewy
- Only available on Chewy
Main ingredients: Chicken Paw Pie: chicken broth, chicken, dried egg product, egg white, pea protein. Beef Stroganwoof: chicken broth, beef, chicken, dried egg product, pea protein. Chicken Muttballs: chicken broth, chicken, dried egg product, ground tapioca, pea protein.
Protein content: 9.0% minimum
Fat content: 2.0% minimum
Calories: Chicken Paw Pie 239 kcal/8-oz tray, Chicken Muttballs 298 kcal/8-oz tray, Beef Stroganwoof 259 kcal/8-oz tray
You should consult your veterinarian or a certified veterinary nutritionist before feeding your dog a diet heavy in legumes. This probably won’t be the wet food variety pack you reach for if your pup has protein sensitivities, as these contain a little of everything: chicken, dried egg, and beef. 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 paté or blended and look like their human counterparts of pot pie and stroganoff.
Pros
No corn, wheat, or soy
Easy to find in stores
Cons
Not suitable for protein allergies
Lower protein
Dog Owner’s Guide to Pet Food and 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.
No corn, wheat, or soy
Easy to find in stores
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- Easy to find in stores
Not suitable for protein allergies
Lower protein
- Not suitable for protein allergies
- Lower protein
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 your dog needs to stay healthy. Identifying possible allergens and intolerances is difficult. Limited ingredient-dog foods like the ones on our 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 our list identifies the protein source. We did not include any foods with vague ingredients like “poultry by-products” and “bone meal.” A few of our picks contain “natural flavor” further down the ingredient list.
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 prioritized brands that offer smaller packaging or a starter box, as you never know whether your dog will take to a new food or not.
Why does my dog have tear stains all of a sudden?
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 iron 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.
What foods 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 who have problems with corn, soy, and wheat.
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” or “poultry by-products.” 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.
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 one 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
We sifted through dozens of dog food formulas for the top 10 reviews. These brands give you a good starting point if you need to switch your pup’s food to eliminate tear stains.
Ollie’s Chicken Dish with Carrots is a fresh food option and our best overall choice. If you’re on a budget, we think that Purina’s Beyond Simple Chicken & Whole Barley is the best dog food for the money. Our third choice is a prescription-only food, Blue Buffalo’s grain-free, alligator formula. Freely’s turkey and whole-grain food is our top pick for puppies, while our vet’s choice goes to Nulo Frontrunner Ancient Grains Turkey, Whitefish & Quinoa.
Sources
Chewy American Collge of Veterinary PetMD PetMD American Veterinary Medical Association American Kennel Club
Featured Image Credit: Susan Schmitz, Shutterstock
- Chewy
- American Collge of Veterinary
- PetMD
- PetMD
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- American Kennel Club
