Last Updated on April 14, 2022 by Fabiola L.
Did your puppy’s eye color change? This is an interesting phenomenon that might catch you off guard!
It might come as a surprise when you realize that this change is happening. After all, this is not something veterinarians and popular culture talks about. But don’t worry, it’s a natural process and is bound to happen to most puppies.
Are you curious about this optical phenomenon? Read on to learn more facts and figures about dog eyes!
What’s With The Puppy Eye Color Change?
When dogs are born, it takes about one to two weeks to open their eyes. This is because the development of the eyes and nervous system of the dog is not yet complete. That’s why it’s not a good idea to force the eyes of a puppy to open.
It takes some time for this development to occur, and in most cases, it can take up to four months to change into its final color. Your puppy may appear to have blue eyes right now, but when the production and the concentration of the melanin components start to kick in, you will be able to see a difference.
This color will be the permanent eye color that your dog will have through adulthood.
While it may come as a shock at first, there is nothing wrong or hurting your dog! This is a natural process that is not harming your puppy. You can rest assured that this is part of the puppy’s development.
Eye Colors In Dogs
Do you wonder what the most common eye colors are in dogs? Here is a list of the colors that have been observed in dogs’ eyes.
Brown
Brown is the most common eye color of dogs, much like humans. The melanin that develops as your dog ages will concentrate in the iris and reveal a deep brown and sometimes even amber shade in the eyes.
This warm and familiar look is what popular culture fondly calls the puppy dog eye look! People – not just dog lovers – definitely fall in love with this look.
Very few dogs carry the necessary gene for other eye colors, and that’s why you’ll be hard-pressed to find a broader range of colors when it comes to dog eye colors.
Almost all purebred dog breeds have brown eyes. Even if you know a breed that produces dogs with blue and green eyes, they are a rarity. Dogs with a recessive light eye color gene may be more feasible to find in mixed breeds.
Blue
The steely blue color can occur in several dog breeds. This very sophisticated color adds an air of mystery and otherworldliness to an adorable dog.
Albino dogs, who lack melanin, are also likely to have blue eyes.
Examples of breeds that carry blue eyes all the way to adulthood are Siberian Huskies, Australian Shepherds, Alaskan Klee Kai, Pitbulls, and Great Danes.
Learn more about Can Chihuahuas Have Blue Eyes?
Green
You probably didn’t know this, but dogs can have green-colored eyes. It’s so rare that many people do not even know this possibility!
The beautiful olive or hazel color is a rarity that is sure to turn heads no matter where you go.
Examples of breeds with a gene for green eyes are American Pitbull Terriers, Australian Shepherds, Weimaraners, and Labrador Retrievers.
Heterochromia
Did you know it is possible for a dog to have different colored eyes? It is the same case when it happens to humans.
Heterochromia is the condition where one eye does not receive the same about of melanin as the other, resulting in two different colored eyes. Despite this difference, the eyes should function about the same.
Unsurprisingly, it is most common in dogs that have the gene to carry blue and green eyes.
However, heterochromia can also be a result of injury to the eye later on in life. This condition should be checked by a professional.
Heterochromia is an interesting physical quirk and may even lead to the popularity of the dog when put up for sale or adoption.
Read more about: Dog With Squinty Eyes: Best Measures To Take
Eye Color Change In Older Dogs
Now that we’ve discussed eye color change in puppies and why that happens, we should also pay attention to eye color change in older dogs.
More often than not, a change in eye color is a sign of a disease. It could be something that just affects the eye or something even more severe altogether.
Cataracts are a cloudy film covering the lens and impair vision by preventing light from entering the eye. This is caused by the clumping of proteins in the eyes, resulting in permanent vision loss for your dog. It is an inherited disease in dogs. This is also a result of trauma to the eye.
Regular visits to the veterinarian can help determine the result of eye discoloration in your dog’s adulthood.
Conclusion
Your puppy can exhibit eye color differences through its development. As your pet continues to grow, there are some strange changes that you might observe just like this!
If you are interested in a dog that has blue or green eyes, you have a limited range of breeds,
No matter what the eye color, every dog is a beautiful friend!
What eye color does your pet dog have? Did it ever change when they started growing up? Let us know in the comments below!
Learn more about: Dog Cloudy Eyes Suddenly; 7 Potential Causes And Related Symptoms
FAQs
When do puppies’ eyes change?
The puppy’s eyes will change from birth to about four months of age. This is because their optical system is still not developed yet.
At what age do puppies change eye color?
You can expect that your puppy’s eyes will change into their adult color at about three to four months of age.
How long do puppies’ eyes stay blue?
After three to four months, if your puppy’s eyes haven’t changed from blue (or, more accurately, transparent) to brown, it’s likely that they will keep their blue eyes to adulthood. If not, they will turn brown in due time.
