If your dog suffers from issues with their skin or coat, few home remedies are as easy to make — or as relaxing for your dog — as a restorative blueberry facial treatment. Whether you’re looking to clean up tear stains, apply a brightener to your dog’s coat, or treat them to a spa day, a blueberry facial is well worth trying out. There are several ready-to-use products available for you to buy, but you can just as easily make your own blueberry facial solution at home.
A blueberry facial is a special dog shampoo derived from — you guessed it — blueberries. This can help decrease the appearance of tear stains in your pet’s face, but it can also be used as an overall body shampoo to brighten their coat. It’s a hypoallergenic, tearless, and lick-safe option that naturally exfoliates as it cleans and hydrates.
Blueberry facials offer the benefits of antioxidants and vitamins A, D, & E to itchy skin, irritated skin, and even dogs that could benefit from a little pet cologne. They’ve grown in popularity recently — it’s like treating your dog to a spa day while addressing tear stains or enhancing coat color without having to visit a groomer.
A note on pet safety
Make sure to be extra careful around the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth to avoid any adverse reactions. Some products purchased through Amazon can be misleading, so consider triple-checking the information on the label and reading multiple reviews before buying. You can also make a DIY facial at home (tips below on that) so you know exactly what you’re administering to your pup.
Not all dogs get tear stains, and the ones that do won’t necessarily have the same skin types or experience this condition for the same reason. Epiphora (Trusted Source) is the most common condition leading to tear stains, and it comes from excessive tear production and the inability to drain tears properly. Moisture from the tear buildup can lead to bacterial infections on the skin beneath the eyes that causes discoloration on your dog’s face.
Other common causes of tear stains include:
👉 If excess tears are persistent or causing apparent discomfort in your dog, please seek the advice of a veterinarian.
While all dogs can develop tear stains, they tend to be more visible on white and light-colored dogs. Certain breeds are also more prone to this condition, including:
Washing your pet’s face with a blueberry facial for dogs is similar to cleaning your own face as you would with a face wash or facial scrub — no need to be a pro groomer. Employ a rotating technique using circular movements to essentially “scrub” your pet’s face with the dog shampoo. The goal here is to focus on the fur itself, not on the skin, so it doesn’t need to be worked in too deeply. Available products and DIY options are created with sensitive eyes in mind, but you should still pay close attention to avoid getting any shampoo in your dog’s eyes.
🐶 While blueberry facial ingredients are lick-safe, it’s not advised to allow your pet to consume any.
It’s best to head to the bath for a blueberry facial to avoid excess mess. No one wants a wet animal running around the house!
Note that if your dog appears distressed at any point during the process, it’s better to cut the experience short to avoid panicking on their part. It’s meant to be a relaxing time, after all.
Blueberry facial products are readily available on the marketplace, serving as dog shampoos, conditioners, and general dog washes. All of them should include the ingredients coconut oil and blueberries (or blueberry extract), but some have added components like jojoba, aloe vera, and avocado. Always remember to double-check the ingredients of whatever products you’re buying to make sure they’re safe for your dog’s face and skin.
One option is the Lillian Ruff Berry Blue Brightening Face and Body Wash for Dogs and Cats, available on Chewy. TropiClean offers a blueberry facial product specifically geared towards removing tear stains, as well as a coconut-based facial cleanser packed with natural ingredients.
If you want to try developing your own recipe at home to pamper your pup, this is a simple and fun alternative to buying pre-existing products.
👉 Remember to exercise extreme caution around your pet’s eyes to avoid abrasions.
A blueberry facial is tear-free face wash for dogs that removes tear stains, cleans the fur, and conditions the skin. It’s a natural exfoliating product and color brightener.
You can make a DIY blueberry facial for dogs by mixing a quarter cup of blueberries with two tablespoons (1 oz) of coconut oil until it’s smooth. If you’re looking to pack your facial with even more beneficial ingredients, consider adding jojoba, aloe vera, and avocado.
Much like the facials humans use, dog facials cleanse, exfoliate, and nourish the skin to promote a shiny, well-hydrated coat. This treatment naturally brightens a dog’s face and can even help their fur look younger.
Blueberries are a nutritionally dense fruit that are high in fiber, low in calories, and totally safe for dogs to eat and come in contact with. Their immune-strengthening phytochemicals, antioxidants, and vitamins help combat life-threatening conditions like cancer and heart disease, and they can even improve things like night vision and mental function in older dogs.
