Through the Eyes of Your Dog
Eyes aren't just the window to your dog’s soul – they also offer a glimpse into their health.
Dog vision is optimized for what their wild ancestors did best – hunt. They can detect the tiny movements of potential prey that you or I would require binoculars to even notice. Your dog's eyes are too important to take any risks, so routine home eye exams are crucial to spotting any issues at their onset.
What to look for:
Healthy canine eyes are moist and clear.
Redness, swelling, squinting, discharge, excessive tearing, or pain are indicators of a problem that requires a veterinarian.
Pupils should be equal in size and react to light.
Closed eyelids are a sign of an issue; your pup should be able to easily hold their eyelids open.
The third eyelid is usually not visible in healthy dogs.
Pay attention to changes in vision – if your pup is having trouble seeing objects or is running into walls or furniture, schedule an exam with your veterinarian.
Dogs don’t have an effective method of cleaning their eyes; this is something they depend on humans for.
Tips to help keep your pup’s eyes vibrant:
Keep hair out of your dog's eyes, since hair can sometimes scratch the cornea (the clear membrane across the surface of the eye).
Use a sterile eyewash or eye wipes to keep the skin around the eyes clean and clear of mucus. Be careful not to touch the cornea.
Some breeds are prone to tear staining, a reddish-brown discoloration of the hair at the corners of the eyes. Typically, tears flow across the surface of the eye and drain through the tear duct; tear stains are caused by tears that spill onto the surrounding hair. This is normal! However, there are products available, like Angels’ Eyes, to eliminate tear stains from the inside out.
Age-Related Changes
If you have an older dog and their eyes become a bit hazy, there’s no need to panic. This haziness is often caused by lenticular sclerosis, which affects most senior dogs and is a normal part of aging.
On the other hand, cataracts are a type of crystallization of the lens that prevents light from reaching the retina, causing blindness. Cataracts are more common in dogs with diabetes or those breeds that are genetically predisposed. Fortunately, they can be treated by a veterinary ophthalmologist by replacing them with an artificial lens.
Pups can’t tell you when they’re having an issue, so they rely on their pet-parents to keep an “eye” on things. The first behavioral indication of an eye issue may be rubbing their eyes on the carpet or pawing at their eyes. Dogs can suffer from a variety of serious and detrimental eye conditions, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, and progressive retinal atrophy. If your dog shows any changes in his eyes or vision, it’s best to see your vet sooner than later.