Hi
Apologies if there's already a topic on this but I couldn't find one when I searched.
My Maltese dog currently eats Royal Canin Mini Adult food but she's got quite bad tear staining and some doggy friends have recommended a change in food to improve the staining.
Has anyone had success with changing their dog's food on tear staining?
I've heard good things about Specific Cdd HY and Barking Heads- can anyone vouch for them?
Thanks in advance!

Royal canin is a poor quality food, loaded with grains and many other cheap "fillers". Many of which are causing our pets health problems, including tear staining.
Have you thought of changing to a better quality "Grain" Free product (remembering that RICE is also a grain).
Millies Wolfheart , Eden, Acana, Origen, and quiet a few more. Take care with these good quality products as a lot less is needed when feeding, and can cause a runny tummy.
Of course Raw feeding produces good results and helps with the tear staining.
Feeding raw is no longer bloody and smelly! There are plenty of companies who supply "complete" raw meals and nuggets.

I'll look into those, thank you!
Is there one of those brands that you would recommend in particular?

I agree with wait ok   i feed raw too.  Do your homework before jumping in as it is easy but u do need to understand it or if things don't go to plan u may think  it's the raw otherwise .when all is needed is steak here and there  I would recommend d joining barf uk on fb .u will be able to get into on starting whuch brands 're popular and why and how to diy. Of course their are other groups and books but I find that one of the best for simple helpful info
Of the kibbles it's really trial and error

Thank you for the advice, really appreciate it!

Hope u find something that helps . There are various theories as to why it happens.food being one, genes ? And sone only supply filter water . There was also a product available in the US and bot so biblically here which co rained antibiotics that helps but as giving and is dubious without a real medical need it's not widely used anymore

"Royal canin is a poor quality food, loaded with grains and many other cheap "fillers". Many of which are causing our pets health problems, "

I can, from first-hand experience agree with this.   It might work for the smaller breeds, but it would appear, with my Basset, that it caused 'too much, too fast'!!   With resulting structural problems.   Some of how he is may be genetic (although his 'conformation' - front and back angulation, is better than most!).   His breeder, who'd been in the breed as long as me, if not longer, was hooked on 'big'.   Well she got that ok, but at what cost.

I hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread, but I also have a toy breed on Royal Canin Mini Adult. Most days I have to wipe her eyes - they go crusty in the tear duct area - but because she's black I've never thought of tear  staining.
She gets fed home cooked for tea so the kibble is put down at breakfast, but she hardly ever eats it. She will often eat it if I feed it to her, but she can take or leave it and I usually end up throwing it away !

I've recently thought about putting her on a really good quality kibble, because she eats so little I can afford to, and maybe it will improve her eyes.
So,  am I likely to be able to get samples from any of  the manufacturers so that I can try before I buy a full bag ?
TIA

If u ring some of the companies direct I 've had samples in the past.but that was many years ago before raw.alsp if u Google the products some do sample size bags

I've Googled the 4 products mentioned above, but none of them appear to do smaller sized kibble for toy breeds.
Does anyone on here know of any good quality grain free kibble that comes in smaller sized kibble ?
TIA

There was post recently on Facebook regarding tear stains (it was a clumber group) and someone said that garner micellar cleansing water had worked wonders and got rid of the stain on the fur within a couple of applications. They had tried everything but this really did the trick.
Mine don't get a long tear stain but one has very runny eyes all round the lids causing that horrid orangey/pinky wetness. I thought I'd try this stuff so going to get some, plus its only about £4 if that.

https://www.applaws.co.uk/product-category/dog/dry-dog-food/
They do a kibble for small/medium dogs but the pieces are REALLY small, they start as 2kg bags.

Just thinking -  the usual 'sample' bags are so small these days that if you take at least 2-3 days to switch from current food you would have finished the sample but I suppose at least you could see the actual kibble size.

I've just been on Applaws and filled in a form for a sample, I also emailed Lily's Kitchen to ask for a sample.
Thanks.

Along with changing diet, I also recommend raw, it's worth trying a water filter. I recently moved house and my Papillon started getting red tear stains - he's been raw fed since I got him as a pup. It's all cleared up since getting a water filter jug. As a bonus, I'm enjoying the water better too

Thank you!
Thanks so much to everyone for all the advice, it's really helpful!