If you’ve ever looked at your white-coated Maltese and felt a pang of frustration at those stubborn reddish-brown streaks under the eyes, you’re not alone. Tear stains are one of the most common aesthetic annoyances for toy-breed owners — and many find themselves wondering if diet, especially treats, might hold the key. Could switching to grain-free treats really make a difference in reducing tear staining? Let’s dive into what could be behind those tear marks and whether a smarter treat choice — such as those from Plato Pet Treats — might help turn things around.
White-furred pups like the Maltese often show tear stains more visibly simply because the discoloration stands out so sharply. But behind the surface, there’s biology, nutrition, and sometimes lifestyle factors at play. While no treat or food alone can guarantee a stain-free face, thoughtful snack choices can support overall health, digestion, coat quality, and potentially reduce conditions that contribute to staining.
What Causes Tear Stains On White Dogs
Tear stains arise when excess tears spill onto the fur, and when those tears contain iron-rich porphyrins — by-products of red blood cell breakdown — they oxidize and leave reddish-brown marks. This is especially noticeable on white-coated dogs because the contrast makes the stains stand out.
But it isn’t just about tears. Several factors can contribute: inflamed tear ducts, allergies, digestive sensitivities, irritation from artificial additives, or a diet heavy in grains or fillers. Dogs with sensitive systems — often small, light-coated breeds like the Maltese — can be more prone to these issues.
Why Grain-free Treats Might Help
Many experts suggest that diet plays a significant role in how often a dog tears, how healthy their digestion is, and how clean their coat appears. Grain-heavy diets can sometimes lead to inflammation or irritations. On the other hand, grain-free or limited-ingredient diets avoid many common allergens and fillers that can disrupt digestion or trigger immune reactions — which in turn may lessen excess tear production or reduce the porphyrin load in tears.
Also, grain-free diets often include high-quality proteins and may emphasize omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and other nutrients beneficial for coat health, skin integrity, and overall well-being. All of these can contribute to reducing irritants that might otherwise exacerbate tear staining.
How Treats Differ From Regular Food
Treats, although usually given in smaller amounts than regular meals, still influence your dog’s overall nutritional load — especially if given often. If treats are grain-heavy, full of fillers, or contain artificial additives, they can undermine the benefits of a good regular diet. On the flip side, well-formulated grain-free treats can complement a balanced diet, offering protein, healthy fats, and digestible ingredients without causing dietary stress. That’s why for a white-coated toy breed prone to tear stains, selecting grain-free treats thoughtfully matters.
Moreover, treats are often used during training or daily rewarding — which means frequent feeding. Frequent, poor-quality snacks can cumulatively contribute to sensitivities or irritation. Switching to high-quality grain-free treats can help reduce that burden. Think of them as small but frequent choices that either help maintain balance or quietly add stress to the system.
What to Look for in Grain-free Treats
When choosing grain-free treats with tear-stain prevention in mind, aim for treats that use high-quality animal protein (like chicken, lamb, or fish), avoid fillers and artificial additives, and ideally provide nutrients that support coat, skin, and overall health — such as omega oils and easily digestible proteins. Unless your dog has a known allergy, variety can help prevent sensitivities associated with repetitive single-protein diets. For white-coated dogs, treats low in iron overload, free of artificial dyes, and easy on digestion are often better.
How Plato Pet Treats Fit In
At Plato Pet Treats, our range of grain-free, single-ingredient or limited-ingredient treats fits many of these criteria — making them a smart choice for Maltese owners and other small white breeds concerned about tear staining. For a treat that delivers quality protein without unnecessary fillers or grains, you might consider offering your pup something like Small Bites With Lamb — soft enough for tiny toy breeds yet wholesome enough to avoid extra dietary stress. For those who prefer fish-based protein and the benefits of omega oils, a treat like Small Bites With Salmon delivers digestible nutrition. And for a richer, protein-packed reward after a grooming session or bath (when skin and coat health matter most), Chicken with Goat Milk & Collagen Food Topper can add skin-supportive nutrients that may indirectly support tear-stain prevention over time.
Adding grain-free treats from our lineup can support your dog’s overall diet — which, combined with proper grooming and eye hygiene, may help reduce the frequency or severity of tear staining. Treats should supplement, not replace, balanced meals — but smart treats can certainly make a difference.
Other Important Considerations
While grain-free treats and diets can help, they’re just one piece of the puzzle. Tear staining can be influenced by eye shape, tear-duct structure, genetics, environmental irritants, grooming habits, and underlying health issues. That means even with the best diet, consistent grooming — gently cleaning tear runoff, keeping the face dry and clean — remains essential. For severe or persistent staining, especially if there’s discharge, discomfort, or sudden onset, consulting a veterinarian is always wise.
Also, because grain-free treats often contain richer proteins or oils, it’s smart to introduce them gradually and monitor your dog’s digestion, skin, and coat response. Overfeeding treats, even high-quality ones, can lead to unwanted weight gain or upset tummies — which can ironically worsen tear-stain issues if digestion becomes stressed.
Final Thoughts: Worth a Try for Your White-Coated Pup
If your Maltese or other small white-coated pup struggles with tear stains, switching to grain-free, high-quality treats — like those from Plato Pet Treats — could be a simple, sensible step. While no treat can single-handedly solve tear staining, choosing nourishing snacks that support digestion, coat health, and overall balance may give you a visible difference over time. Combine treat care with good grooming, fresh water, and regular vet checks — and you’ll be giving your fur baby the best shot at that clean, bright-eyed look we all love.
