Puppy Eye Problems

When a puppy opens their eyes, it’s a real milestone in their development - a sign they’re no longer a helpless tiny pup but on their way to maturity. To ensure they grow a healthy pair that’s guaranteed to get them just one more treat (those pleading eyes!), learn more about potential problems in their developing eyes.

When do puppies open their eyes?

Puppies are born with their eyes closed. They open after about 10 to 14 days. Like human babies, their eye colour isn’t set at birth and slowly develops over time. Puppies are normally born with bluish / grey eyes. By about 8 weeks, their true adult eye colour is set although this can take up to 16 weeks.

When puppies first open their eyes, their vision isn’t that clear - they can only make out rough shapes and movements. By the time they’re about 8 weeks old, their vision should be as good as an adult dog’s.

In these early stages of eye development, you shouldn’t notice any problems with your puppy’s eyes. Although it’s always good to be on the lookout for any signs of eye infection. These include swelling or some pus or discharge. Take your puppy to the vet who can prescribe medication to clear this up.

Puppy eye problems 1: trauma

It’s common for puppies to experience traumatic injuries - they’re not yet aware of the world around them. Puppies will happily run straight into bush or a field of tall grass in pursuit of a critter. They love to roll in sawdust or any dust bunnies hiding in your home. They’re always up for a bit of rough and tumble with littermates or an enthusiastic hello to the cat.

Whatever they’re getting up to, these activities can cause irritation or scratches on their cornea (the clear outer layer of the eye), including a swipe of a claw to their eye. This is especially true because they’ll do all of this without thinking to lower their head or close and protect their eyes.

Eye problems caused by trauma are most common in toy and small breed puppies like Pugs and Pekinese. That’s because they have very round, prominent eyes with somewhat shallow sockets.

Not all trauma is caused by injury. Some of it can be something your puppy is born with. For example, puppies can be born with eyelashes that turn into or rub along their sensitive eyes. They can also be born with eyelids that roll in or out, both of which can irritate their corneas.

Here are some signs of eye trauma to watch for:

• • • Squinting.
    • Holding their eye closed.
    • Discharge or pus leaking out of their eye.

If you see any of these, take your puppy to the vet straightaway. Eye problems caused by trauma can quickly go from mild to more serious. The quicker you get a corneal scratch diagnosed, the quicker it’ll heal.

Puppy eye problems 2: there at birth

Puppies can have congenital defects. This means that they’re born with them. Congenital defects can be inherited or be caused by environmental issues or a development issue in the uterus. Eye problems puppies can be born with include:

• • • Microphthalmia - a missing or very small eye.
    • CEA or Collie Eye Abnormality - a set of genetic defects that affect internal parts of a Collie’s eye.
    • Juvenile cataracts - clouding of the normal clear lens of the eye.

When you take your puppy for their regular vet visits, they’ll check their eyes for any issues. Most puppies with vision problems lead long, full, happy lives and adapt well to reduced vision.

If you ever think there’s anything wrong with your puppy’s vision, like they begin walking into walls and furniture, take them to the vet for a check up. If you need any further help or have a question we haven’t answered, contact our friendly Pet Direct Customer Care team on 0800 200 240 or email support@petdirect.co.nz.

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