- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
There’s nothing more exciting than watching your puppy grow. But your puppy’s first days can also be a nerve-wracking time—especially when you see their tiny size and tightly shut eyes.
Puppies are born with their eyes closed. They open their eyes when they’re between 10 and 14 days old,, says Dr. Nick Horniman, veterinary surgeon and founder of MyPetsVet.
Knowing the milestones of a puppy’s development, including when their eyes open, can help reassure you that your puppy’s eyes are healthy and developing as they should.
Understanding the timeline of puppy development can also help you get support from a vet if your puppy needs it.
Why Don’t Puppies Open Their Eyes Right Away?
The timing of when a puppy opens their eyes relates to genetic and developmental factors, explains Dr. Jessica Apted, Regional Medical Director at Sploot Veterinary Care. “This correlates with the maturation of a puppy’s ocular structures and neurological pathways.”
Unlike humans, puppies are born before they reach the developmental stage where their eyes open. Different mammal species are born at different stages of development, depending on their needs and chances of survival.
In the wild, mother dogs need to give birth to their puppies as soon as possible so they can leave them in a safe place and continue to hunt.
Puppies don’t need to use their eyes immediately. For the first few weeks of life, they only need to breathe and nurse, so their growth and development will continue after they’re born.
What If A Puppy Doesn’t Open Their Eyes?
Worried that your puppy hasn’t opened their eyes on schedule?
Dr. Horniman recommends consulting a vet to make sure your puppy doesn’t have any underlying health issues. Health concerns that may prevent a puppy from opening their eyes include:
- Injuries
- Eye infections
- Congenital defects
If your puppy hasn’t opened their eyes by the time they reach 2 weeks of age, you’ll want to contact your vet right away.
Important: Avoid touching your puppy’s eyes or trying to open them on your own. “It’s crucial not to force the eyes open because you may end up harming your puppy,” Dr. Horniman says.
If at any time you notice any swelling, pus, or other unusual symptoms around your puppy’s eyes, talk to a vet right away.
Concerned about touching a newborn puppy to check their eye development? It’s OK to handle the puppy, but keep it brief.
“While newborn puppies are fragile, gentle handling for health monitoring and bonding is generally safe,” Dr. Apted says.
She adds, however, that it’s important to limit prolonged handling in the first few weeks so the puppies can rest and nurse undisturbed.
Puppy Eye Development: A Complete Timeline
This timeline can help you keep track of each stage of your puppy’s eye development.
| Week | Developmental Stage |
| Newborn | Puppies are born with their eyes closed.
Some puppies may blink when exposed to bright light, but their eyelids will remain closed. |
| 1-2 weeks | Puppies’ eyes start to open. Their vision at this point can pick up light, movement, and shapes, but not detail.
The eyes may have a cloudy appearance which should clear 24 hours after opening. At this stage, all puppies have blue eyes. Avoid exposure to bright lights (including flash photography). |
| 3-7 weeks | During this stage, a puppy’s vision develops well enough for them to see details and colors. |
| 8 weeks | Eyes start to show their adult coloration, and a puppy’s vision is fully developed. |
Which Breeds Open Their Eyes First?
“While no steadfast breed-specific pattern exists regarding the timing of eye opening, smaller breeds tend to mature faster and might open their eyes earlier compared to larger breeds,” Dr. Apted says.
This isn’t always the case—so the best thing to do is make sure your puppy’s eyes have opened by the time they’re 2 weeks old. If their eyes remain closed after this point, schedule an appointment with your vet right away.
Dr. Horniman notes that some breeds, especially those with shorter snouts like Bulldogs and Pugs, may be more prone to eye issues later in life. “But these typically don’t affect the timing of when they first open their eyes,” he says.
Why Don’t Puppies Open Their Eyes Right Away?
The first few months of your puppy’s life can feel overwhelming.
But knowing how you can best support their eye health means you have one less thing to worry about.
Vets recommend the following:
- Maintain a clean and safe environment, free from potential irritants.
- Regularly clean any discharge from around the puppy’s eyes with cotton ball and water that has been boiled and cooled completely.
- Avoid exposure to smoke or strong chemicals.
- Providing plenty of bright, natural light (after your puppy reaches 2 weeks of age).
- Provide different visual stimuli.
- Keep up to date with regular veterinary check-ins.
