What attracted you to your flat-faced dog? Was it their flat face? Or their personality? Both?

Since people bred for this very specific (adorable) appearance it is our responsibility to care for the special needs caused by their flat faces. While adorable, we have a responsibility to ensure our dog's flat faces are clean and dry.

Smoosh, flat faces can become raw, irritated and red down in the facial folds and the area from their eyes down to their mouth. Their tears can run down their face and irritate the skin.

Before you moisturize or treat the wrinkled area, it must be cleaned and completely dry.

Cleaning Your Dog's Flat Face

• Spritz Fresh Face Washonto a washcloth
• Wipe your dog's face
• Pay extra attention to facial folds aka wrinkles
• Dry face completely
• Gently apply Boo Boo Butterto irritated areas to condition and protect against tears

Tear Stain Tips

White or lighter dogs are often plagued with reddish, rusty looking tear stained areas.

The stains are caused by the protein in their tears oxidizing on their face, which dyes/stains the hair.

This is a multi-pronged issue and cannot be remedied by wiping their face off.

There are only three ways to get rid of tear stains

• Stained hair must grow out & be cut off
• Stained hair must be cut off
• Hair must be bleached white 

Some products can brighten the discolored hair, but it won't be 100% white, white, white. 

Tear-stain removing products cannot bleach the hair back on their own, unless they contain bleaching agents. That is just science (again with the science). 

Bleaching agents used near our dogs eyes is something to seriously consider before trying. Consult your veterinarian or professional groomer.

Steps To Take for Cleaner Faces

Keep you dog's face clean with Fresh Face Wash. Daily use may be needed for show dogs or dogs prone to excessive tear staining.

Our Razzle Dazzle White Shampoohelps get and keep your lighter colored dogs bright and clean.

Our Dogs Are What They Eat

Just as our skin and hair is affected by what we eat, stress, age and genetics, so is our dogs.

Clean Face Diet Tips

• Consider a grain-free and/or fish-based diet
• Make sure their food has NO dyes or color enhancers
• Red dye used in many pet foods and treats can make tear staining worse. Eliminate anything with red dye from their diet, if possible.
• Chicken-based food can be problematic for many dogs
• Beef or lamb often cause less staining than chicken
• Check your water. Do you have hard water? Consider installing a water softener or provide bottled water for your dog to drink, if so.