When Do Puppies Open Their Eyes?

 

Every pet owner gets really excited when the early development stage comes. The milestones for puppy development begin with the opening of their eyes. This is the time when a pet owner feels more attached to its puppy. This article explains the puppy eye development stages, care for newborn puppies, and common eye problems that your puppy may experience during the development of stages.

Understanding Puppy Eye Development Stages:

• Newborn:

All the puppies have their eyes closed at the time of their birth. Their eyes are completely shut, and they are dependent on their mother for care and nourishment. However, puppies tend to blink their eyes and their exposed to light, but still their eyelids are completely closed.

• 1-2 Weeks:

At this developmental stage, the puppies begin opening their eyes. At this stage, the puppies are able to distinguish different forms of light and movement, but everything appears cloudy and blurry. This cloudy appearance gets cleared 24 hours after opening their eyes. At this point in time, the puppies have blue eyes, so you must avoid their exposure to bright light and taking their photographs.

• 2-4 Weeks:

At this transitional stage, the puppies develop more sensory and physical abilities. After they are born, their eyes start opening between 10 and 14 days. Gradually their eyes open wider around 5 weeks, the sight becomes well developed.

• 4-7 Weeks:

This is the stage when a puppy is able to see more details and colours as the vision is well developed. They start interacting with their littermates more actively, and their vision continues to improve.

• 8 Weeks:

This is the time when a puppy’s vision is completely developed and they begin showing their permanent eye colour. Now they have acquired full vision at 8 weeks.

What to Expect After a Puppy Opens Their Eyes?

When a puppy opens their eyes around two weeks of age, there are other developmental stages that go side by side.

Standing and Walking:

When a puppy is 3 weeks old, it attempts to crawl on its belly to gain strength for movement. They try to rise on their four limbs and start walking unsteadily. At 4 weeks of age, a puppy is more confident to walk and explore its surroundings. At this time, a puppy has enough coordination in his legs.

Running and Playing:

This is the socialization stage in which a puppy’s behaviour is more noticeable. The puppies engage themselves in playing and chasing their littermates. The development of their motor skills and social behaviours happens during the stage. Finally, a puppy is commonly seen running around to build confidence and strength.

Teething Stage:

Puppies enter into teething stage when they are 3 to 6 months old. This is the time when their baby teeth fall out and adult teeth appear. They start chewing objects to relieve their teething pain. These are all the important puppy growth milestones that shape their physical abilities and social interactions.

What are the Signs of Healthy Eye Development?

• Opening the Eyes as per Schedule:

10 to 14 days after birth, the puppies should open their eyes. This clearly shows a normal development sign.

• Clear Eyes:

Bright and clear eyes without any redness and swelling show healthy puppy eye development.

• Concentrated Gaze:

As the vision starts improving, puppies are able to focus on objects with eye movement.

• Response Actively:

A puppy that responds actively, like head turning towards light, and reacts to any movement shows healthy development.

How to Handle Puppies During the Eye-Opening Stage?

It's very important to take good care of your puppy at the time of its eye-opening stage. All this requires gentle care and attention. Pet owners must consider the following points to handle the puppies at this stage.

• Reduce Disturbances:

Make sure you provide your puppy with a serene and calm environment. When they are two weeks old, let them open their eyes on their own and don't handle them too much.

• Gentle Interactions:

As soon as the puppy’s eyes are opened, begin a gentle conversation with them. You must assist them so that they can identify your presence and the environment around them. Give them gentle pats and talk to them politely.

• Provide them a Safe Space:

Make sure your puppy’s surroundings are completely safe and secure, in which he lives comfortably. The area has to be cushioned well because still the puppies walk unsteadily on their feet.

• Track their Health:

You must pay attention to how the puppy’s eyes are developing. If you notice any symptoms of discharge or infection, immediately contact your veterinarian.

• Gentle Exposure:

After the vision has improved, you must expose them gradually to different sounds, textures, and sights that stimulate their senses.

What to do if a Puppy Does not Open Their Eyes?

When a puppy is 2 weeks of age and does not open its eyes, don't panic because some puppies take a bit longer. At this time, avoid touching your puppy’s eyes. Avoid opening their eyes forcefully.

How to Care for Newborn Puppies:

• Create a Safe Environment:

Make sure you provide a safe and warm environment for your newborn puppies. The area has to be quiet and cozy for the mother and the young one. During the early days, the puppies cannot regulate their body temperature, so make sure their temperature is warm.

• Feeding and Nutrition:

A mother will take care of her puppies well, but in her absence, a puppy milk replacer is the ideal choice. Feed them every 2 to 3 hours during the first few weeks.

• Contact your Veterinarian:

Initial examination of the puppy after birth is very important to check for potential eye health problems so that your vet can treat all the eye-related problems timely.

Role of Lightning in Puppy Eye Development:

Light plays a crucial role in puppy eye development, especially in the beginning days. During the early stage, the puppies rely on their senses because their eyes are completely shut. They begin opening their eyes and can see dim light, so make sure you expose them to natural light when they are two weeks of age. In this way, they will be able to focus on their environment and different objects around them. Harsh and bright light must be avoided during the visual development as it will cause discomfort. Make sure your puppy's environment is comfortable, cozy, and well-lit for healthy eye development.

Dealing with Puppy Eye Problems:

• Common Eye Problems:

There are some common eye problems faced by puppies during their early development stages; these include;

• Entropion:

This is an abnormality of the puppy’s eyelids rolling towards the inner side. This causes irritation and damage to the cornea. This genetic problem requires surgical procedure after the puppy is six months of age.

• Corneal Injury:

Puppies have a lack of self-preservation, and they forget to close their eyes while playing with their siblings, and this causes scratches and irritation in the cornea. The common signs include holding their eyes closed, discharge, scratches, and bloodshot eyes.

•  Dry Eyes:

Inadequate tear production causes dry eyes in puppies. Lack of lubrication due to dry eyes causes infection and damage to the cornea. The common signs include excessive blinking, discharge, and pawing towards eyes.

• Seek the Veterinary Help:

Any of the above-mentioned symptoms needs medical help. Your vet will treat any problems regarding the puppy’s eye health.

Conclusion:

Pet owners love their puppies so much and are keen to see the early developmental stage in which they begin opening their eyes. Pay attention to them during this time so that your puppy can live a healthy and happy life.