My dog sleeps with eyes open. Why could it be? What about your pet? If your dog shows the same scenario, we are lucky to have reached this article. Fortunately, this article includes the causes of why a dog may sleep with eyes open. Is there a possibility that vision loss might occur? Well, we should have figured it out earlier. Let’s head on to answer whether we should be bothered or not by this sleeping scenario.
A Dog Sleeping
Most of the dogs sleep at an average of 11 hours per 24-hour cycle. Moreover, they even spend time on several resting periods. We all know how active dogs can become. However, is a dog sleeping this much still normal?
The answer is yes. Unlike humans, we have so much to put our extra time into. On the contrary, dogs don’t have unless we play with them. That is why they are better off sleeping most of their free time. However, you still need to pay attention if your dogs sleep too much.
Several hours of sleep could also signify that they have a health problem. In this case, it would be best to seek help from your veterinarian. Otherwise, your dog’s health could also be at risk without you knowing about it.
Dog Sleeps With Eyes Open
Since we have talked about the sleeping of our pet dogs, let’s discuss something related to it. If we observe our pets, dogs sleep with their eyes open in some cases. Is sleeping with their eyes open something we should be bothered about?
Dogs sleeping with their eyes open are rare cases only. It might appear bothering knowing the fact that we sleep with our eyes closed. Some might even worry about their pooch and think of it as a cause for concern.
However, there is a story behind these open eyes while sleeping. Thank God someone explained. Well, going back to our ancient history, dogs belong in the wild and are not domestic. In that scenario, they are prone to attacks from larger animals. The attacks often happen while they are asleep.
In this case, dogs sleep with their eyes open to serve as their defense mechanism in the wild. This kind of behavior still exists in some dogs until now. So, if you see your pet sleeping with his eyes open, the mechanisms still run its course in their bloodline.
But of course, your dogs remain safe while they are with you. Sometimes tuck in your bed or lie in bed you provided. Our pup deserves a warm bed to sleep into. On the other hand, do the eyes open during sleep means something else? We will find out.
The Causes Behind Dogs Sleeping with their Eyes Open
Aside from defense behavior, there is another reason why our pet sleeps with his eyes open or partially closed. In actuality, they can’t be sleeping at all. Shocking right? Well, what I mean to say with that is the dog might be experiencing a seizure.
Dog Seizure
A dog sleeping with his eye is not problematic at all. However, if your dog shows twitching, it is a sign that they have a seizure disorder. A seizure may also involve collapsing, jerking, stiffening, drooling, and many more. If you suspect a seizure disorder, the best thing to do is take your dog to the vet.
Dreaming
Meanwhile, aside from seizures, it can also mean that they are only dreaming. Their gentle twitch may only signify that they are playing or chasing something inside their dream. However, you have to know the difference between their twitches.
Confirmation
In a typical twitching from a dream, you can see their eyes partially open but remains calm and relaxed. It’s only like what they are dreaming of appeared to seem like reality. You can try to call your dog’s name to confirm that they are dreaming only.
On the contrary, if it’s a seizure, your dog’s eyes will be wide open. It appears like your dog’s eyes are staring at you blankly, with involuntary movements. Call your vet to know how to address seizures.
A Fact to Know About Your Dog’s Eyes
In actuality, some dogs have a third eyelid. The other term for this third eyelid is the nictitating membrane or the haw. These membranes are most likely the same in various breeds and sizes of dogs. However, the third eyelid’s pigmentation can differ from one breed to another.
Sometimes, you can see your dog with a very clear and visible third eyelid. But other dogs may have a cloudy appearance. The nictitating membrane may also close across the eye. In effect, the eye of the dog may look as if it’s rolling behind its head.
When Dogs Sleep with their Eyes Open
So, if your dog is sleeping with his eyes open, you have to make sure what causes it. Can it be their ancient mechanism, a dream, or a seizure? Owners should get a hold of knowledge about their pet’s conditions.
It would be best to become completely aware of the signs telling us something’s not good with our pet’s condition. The ability to do so can help us owners save their pets. Besides that, we need to keep our pets as healthy as possible.
Rapid eye movements may also signify something is happening, and your dog is not in its normal shape. So, try waking your dog up and see if it will react to it. If not, you need to bring your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic.
Conclusion
Partially closed or wide open, they can be asleep or not. Trying to wake it up can help confirm your dog’s state. Seizures or dreaming are considerable when eyes are open while they are sound asleep. When this suddenly happens, don’t panic. Observe keenly. If the pooch does not respond, contact your vet immediately.
Food for Thoughts
You can visit a blog or other posts that can give you a heads-up about your dog’s condition. The eye can serve as the window to see if a dog is healthy or not.
References:
I Think My Dog Sleeps With His Eyes Open – Is This a Bad Thing?, Simplyfordogs.com, March 04, 2017, https://simplyfordogs.com/dog-sleeps/think-dog-sleeps-eyes-open-bad-thing/
Why do dogs have a third eyelid?, Animalplanet.com, Accessed July 19, 2021, http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/healthy-pets/why-do-dogs-have-a-third-eyelid/
