Last Updated on January 22, 2022 by Marco
When do puppies’ eyes open fully? What major development milestones should the concerned puppy owner be aware of?
Taking note of your puppy’s development is not only fun, but it is important, too. Watching your puppy grow up into a full-fledged dog is a journey that could be quicker than you expected. The week-on-week development of puppies is something that all dog lovers should take note of.
How long does it take puppies to open their eyes? When do these important milestones, such as the opening of eyes, take place? Read on to find out more.
When Do Puppies Eyes Open Fully?
When a puppy is born, much like human babies, the eyes are typically closed. The eyes are not quite ready to receive light and are too sensitive to be opened. In fact, many of the puppy’s senses have not been awakened yet, like hearing and smell.
The closed eyes are for comfortable rest and sleep. You may touch the puppies especially if the mother is not around to provide some warmth, but other than that, you should leave the puppies alone during this stage.
When do pups open their eyes? This moment of rest for the eyes will last anywhere from ten to fourteen full days.
During this time, behind the eyelids, your puppy’s eyes are still forming and developing, alongside other important bodily functions like the nervous system. They will open when the time comes are they’re ready to see the world around them – albeit in the famed doggy black and white mode.
Even after the puppy has reached the one to two-week mark, their eyesight still won’t be a top form. Their eyes will continue to develop even after they’d already opened. The process is typically complete by the eight-week mark.
Whatever you do, don’t attempt to reach in and open the dog’s eyes, even if it’s to check on the dog’s wellbeing. Forcing the eyes open may have a detrimental effect on the development of the eye especially when exposed to a light that is too bright, so remain patient with the puppies.
However, if your puppy still hasn’t opened its eyes after two weeks, there may be some developmental issues that occurred. It is best to consult with a veterinarian to know what the possible causes are, and your next steps to ensure that the dog will continue to grow in a healthy manner and environment.
Learn more about: How To Take Care Of A Baby Chihuahua?
Issues With Puppy Eyes
Given the very sensitive nature of eyes, there are quite a few conditions that you need to watch out for as they develop in your puppy.
Eye Infections
Eye infections can manifest as inflammation of the eyes and the area around the eyes, and even discharge leaving the corners of the eyes.
A common cause is a conjunctivitis or the inflammation of the lining of the eye. There are numerous underlying causes for this issue, including injuries, allergies, foreign objects, and even defects at birth. It is important to know the underlying cause of the problem in order to address it.
Damage To The Cornea
Physically, eyes are sensitive and weak. The cornea is the outer layer of the eye that assists the eye in focusing lights in order to adjust sight and see as clear as possible. You can see why it’s important to keep the cornea safe and healthy.
Damage to the cornea can be done by foreign objects, nails, and even simple hair. While an eye can heal on its own especially when given a good amount of time, damage to the cornea can be painful and debilitating.
How To Care For Puppy Eyes
Everything about your young puppy is developing and thus very sensitive. There are measures that you as the owner have to take to ensure the safety of your dog’s eyes.
Clean Puppy Eyes
Puppies can be bathed by the time they are six to eight weeks old. By this time, you can clean around their eyes to help prevent infections and foreign objects from reaching inside their eyes.
In order to clean the eyes, you just need to take a damp cloth and wipe it around the general area. This is best done while they are being bathed.
Regularly Cut Nails
Long nails are a hazard for the eyes. Dogs are known to scratch at their face sometimes, and the longer their nails, the riskier it is. They can potentially scratch the eye on accident.
Regularly Trim Fur and Hair
It’s not only nails that are in danger of scratching the eye. Long hair can also be a problem when it comes to contact with the eyes.
Regular professional grooming and keeping your dog’s hair short around the face is one way to avoid untoward fur and eye incidents. Brushing back your dog’s hair can also constitute a special bonding moment, too!
Have Eyes Checked At The Vet
Aside from nails and hair, there are other dangers to your dog’s eyes that aren’t visible to the naked eye. You might not be aware of other possible hazards and signs of eye issues that are manifesting in your dog. You should leave that investigation up to the experts.
That’s why it’s so important to have regular vet checkups. They will be able to see the signs of conditions in dogs, even with a simple observation. Having these regular checkups can catch any potential problems before they progress into something way more serious.
Conclusion
How long does it take for a puppy to open its eyes? Puppies have their eyes open fully after one or two weeks after birth. It is good to remember that there are a lot of things to take into account when the puppy is still developing.
It’s also handy to remember that eyes are very sensitive but very important to dogs, so you must do what you can to ensure your dog’s sight is in top form.
Have you taken care of newborn puppies before? What was the experience like? Tell us your stories and tips in the comments below!
