ArcaMax

I wrote to you last year about my white dog with red tear stains. I tried several products, but nothing worked. While visiting a friend, my dog started eating her cat's dry food. My dog is a picky eater, so I was surprised. My friend said it was salmon-flavored pet food.

I searched and found a limited-ingredient diet with salmon, and she loves it. The bonus is the red stains disappeared. I don't know if this will help anyone else, but my little dog is much happier now that she enjoys her food and looks beautiful. I guess you have to keep trying until you find what works.

— Lois, Glen Cove, New York

Dear Lois,

That’s wonderful news, and it can’t hurt for someone else to try a limited-ingredient diet with their dog to see if it helps with eye staining.

Pet food manufacturers developed limited-ingredient diets to address pet food allergies. These diets offer a single protein and carbohydrate source (like salmon and sweet potato, for example), a few supplements, and some fats to provide a healthy and hopefully allergy-free diet for the dog or cat. Even though it says "limited ingredients" on the label, it is not regulated by the FDA. So, for others (not you because you found what works), check the pet food label to ensure only a few ingredients are listed compared to other pet foods.

Thanks for sharing what worked for your dog.

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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)

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