Why does my Maltipoo have watery eyes, and what should I do? Is it normal or a problem?

Dark or reddish staining under the eyes is one of the first things maltipoo owners notice, often within the first few weeks of bringing a puppy home. It is not a disease and not a reason to panic, but it is also not something to simply ignore. Tear staining in maltipoos is almost universal due to the breed’s facial structure and coat, but the causes and severity vary from one dog to the next. At MilaPoo Family kennel we get asked regularly: why does my maltipoo have runny eyes, is it normal, and what can I do about it? That is exactly why we put this article together – covering everything from the anatomical reasons to practical daily care advice. If you are preparing for a new puppy or want to better understand your maltipoo’s needs, we also recommend reading our guide on daily maltipoo care – it includes a dedicated section on eye hygiene.

Why maltipoo eyes water: the main causes

Before looking for solutions, it helps to understand the cause. Eye watering in maltipoos can be completely normal or a symptom of something that needs attention – and the difference between the two matters. In most cases, dark staining under the eyes is simply the result of tears coming into contact with air and coat: tears contain iron and porphyrin, which oxidise and produce that characteristic dark reddish-brown colour. On its own this is not dangerous, but it looks untidy and requires consistent care. Sometimes, though, the watering points to something specific that needs to be addressed.

The breed’s anatomy

Maltipoos inherited the rounded skull and large eyes of the Maltese. Because of this structure, their tear ducts are often narrower or positioned slightly differently than in longer-muzzled breeds. Tears cannot drain fully through the ducts and overflow onto the face – which is why there is always moisture under the eyes. This is an anatomical feature that cannot be fully «cured», but it can be minimised with the right care routine. Some maltipoos show this more strongly than others: it all depends on individual structure and on whether the Maltese or poodle line is more dominant in that particular puppy.

Hair falling into the eyes

Another very common cause is coat. Maltipoo hair grows continuously, and if the fringe and the hair around the eyes are not trimmed regularly, they begin to touch the cornea. This mechanical irritation triggers increased tearing as a protective response. The solution here is straightforward – regular trimming of the hair around the eyes, every two to three weeks, without waiting for it to become a problem again. For more on grooming schedules and coat care, our article on maltipoo grooming covers this in detail.

Allergies

Allergies are one of the most frequently overlooked causes of excessive tearing. Maltipoos can react to food allergens, pollen, household dust, cleaning products, smoke, fragrances, and even certain bedding or bowl materials. If tearing increased suddenly or follows a seasonal pattern, that is a signal to look more closely at the environment and diet. Food allergies usually come with other symptoms too – skin itching, red ears, digestive issues. If you suspect an allergy, a conversation with your vet about an elimination diet or allergy testing is the right next step.

Infections and other medical causes

If the eye discharge is not simply clear or slightly tinted but yellow, greenish, thick, or has an unpleasant smell – that is no longer within normal range. These symptoms can indicate conjunctivitis, dacryocystitis (inflammation of the tear sac), entropion (inward rolling of the eyelid), or other eye conditions. In these cases a vet visit is needed, not just a wipe with a damp cloth. Pay attention to the eye itself as well: redness, cloudiness of the cornea, squinting, or the maltipoo rubbing its face with a paw – all of these are reasons to see a specialist without delay.

Normal or a problem: how to tell the difference

The key question most owners have is: is this normal, or do I need a vet? The answer depends not just on how much discharge there is, but on what it looks like and how the maltipoo is behaving overall. A small amount of clear or slightly tinted discharge, dark staining under the eyes with no redness or visible discomfort – this is within the normal range for the breed and is managed with care, not medication. But there are clear signals that a vet visit is needed.

How to care for a maltipoo’s eyes every day

Daily eye care is the simplest and most effective thing you can do to keep tear staining under control. It takes just a few minutes, and with time it becomes as automatic as brushing or grooming. The area under the eyes should be wiped every morning – that is when the most discharge accumulates after a night’s sleep. Good options for wiping include specialised pet eye lotions (available at pet shops and vet pharmacies), saline solution, or a clean damp cloth with no fragrances or additives. The motion should go from the inner corner of the eye outward, gently, without pressing.

One detail that is easy to miss: after wiping, dry the area. Constant moisture in the coat under the eyes creates conditions for bacterial growth, which can intensify irritation and cause an unpleasant smell. After the damp wipe, lightly pat dry with a dry cloth or cotton pad. Another practical point worth mentioning is the food bowl. Plastic bowls develop micro-scratches over time where bacteria settle, and this can contribute to tearing. Switching to stainless steel or ceramic is a simple change that some owners find makes a noticeable difference within a few weeks.

How to reduce tear staining: practical tips

Eliminating tear staining entirely in a maltipoo with an anatomical tendency is not realistic, but reducing it significantly is. The first and most impactful factor is diet quality. What a maltipoo eats directly affects how dark the staining becomes. Foods with artificial colouring, preservatives, and low-quality protein intensify the pigmentation. A high-quality food with a simple, clean ingredient list is one of the most effective tools for reducing the problem. If your maltipoo eats a home-prepared diet, pay attention to the quantity of iron-rich and porphyrin-heavy ingredients in the mix.

Water matters too. Your maltipoo should have access to fresh clean water at all times – change it daily. Some owners notice improvement after switching from tap water to filtered: tap water can contain elevated levels of chlorine and minerals that affect the composition of tears. Probiotics are another option worth knowing about. Some vets recommend short probiotic courses to support gut flora, which has an indirect effect on tearing. Any supplements should be discussed with a vet before starting rather than chosen independently. For a broader look at how diet affects maltipoo health from the inside, our article on what maltipoos can eat is a useful read.

When to see a vet

A vet visit is not only necessary when there are obvious signs of illness. If you have been consistently caring for your maltipoo’s eyes for several weeks, adjusted the diet, switched the bowls – and the tearing is still heavy with no improvement in the staining – that is a reason to visit an ophthalmologist or at least a general vet. The doctor can check the patency of the tear ducts – sometimes a single flushing procedure is enough to produce a dramatic improvement. The vet can also rule out or confirm entropion, an inward rolling of the eyelid that is a congenital issue in some small breeds and is treated surgically.

If your maltipoo’s tearing has always been mild and then suddenly increased, that is also worth a check-up even without other symptoms. A sudden change always means something has shifted – in health, in the environment, or in diet. A vet will identify the cause far faster than a process of trial and error at home. At MilaPoo Family kennel we always encourage owners not to put off a vet visit – it is far better to hear «everything is fine» than to miss something important. Eye health is directly linked to a maltipoo’s overall wellbeing, and prevention is always simpler and less expensive than treatment. For more on keeping a maltipoo healthy throughout its life, our article on how long maltipoos live and what matters most is worth reading.

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