You probably spent a lot of time hunting for the answer about do dogs have eyelashes?
You might wonder what the purpose of a lot of hair around their eyes is. Are they even eyelashes or eyebrows? Yes, those are eyelashes! Now another question arises that can you trim this hair or not?
Dog grooming is a part of taking good care of your pooch. Otherwise, it will affect their health. You may have seen cute dog photos with fake eyelashes. It makes them look more adorable.
But, do they need eyelashes to perform the same functions as the eyelashes perform in humans?
In this article, we will find out do dogs have eyelashes and eyebrows? And if they do, what are their grooming needs?
Do Dogs Have Eyelashes?
Yes. Canines do have lashes. In fact, they have the same lashes as humans have. It is valid for you to be jealous as they have more lustrous and long lashes than you!
Dogs have two to four rows of lashes on the upper eyelid. However, there are not many on the lower eyelid. It is why they appear more glistening.
Human eyelashes prevent eyes from external objects like dust or debris. The same is the function of the dogs’ eyelashes.
Pups love to spend their time outside. They closely interact with bushes and dig in the dirt.
Dogs also need eyelashes to prevent them from sunlight. These long eyelashes also guard their eyes against their fur. Their coat can grow long. Hence they need grooming so that they can see easily.
Dog’s eyelashes feel sensitivity when touched, which makes them palpable organs. This small part of the body is beneficial. It also prevents the eye from any injury. Moreover, it can also tell the eye to shut when they detect something harmful near it.
1) Is It Okay To Cut Dogs Eyelashes?
It is entirely safe to trim your pooch’s eyelashes. It depends on the owner, how they prefer their dog’s lashes to look like.
Sometimes, they would want to get it trimmed. Other days, they would let them as they are because they find it cute. Dogs who have long hair, typically get their eyelashes cut every month.
Some dog owners ask the groomer to trim the hair around the eyes and leave the eyelashes long. It is all about cosmetic preference.
But, if your dog’s eyelashes are short, you must leave them as it is. They play a vital role in protecting your pup’s eyes. You can trim them to the level of your pooch’s comfort.
2) Do Dogs Eyelashes Grow Back After Trimming?
Let’s consider the worst-case scenario.
Suppose you dropped your pet at the groomer. When you went back to pick him, you find out that your pup’s eyelashes are short beyond your strict instructions!
You need to relax and take a deep breath.
Dogs have fur all over their body. If they can grow back, eyelashes will grow as well! These are similar to human eyelashes and will come back eventually.
3) 7 Breed Of Dogs Which Have Extensive Eyelashes
Those dogs who have longer fur like Samoyeds have long lashes. The actual purpose of these eyelashes is protection. So, breeds with shorter hair also have them.
Those canines which have genetically long fur, hence long eyelashes are:
- Lhasa Apsos
- Yorkshire Terriers
- Shih Tzus
- Cocker Spaniels
- Poodles
- Old English Sheepdog
- Maltese
A few years earlier two Cocker Spaniels termed Nena and Cloe became a viral sensation. The reason was their long lustrous lashes. It measured up to 6 centimeters long. It was also a world record.
Not long after that, Lhasa Apso and Ranmaru bagged the global record for the longest lashes.
As of 2014, Australian Labradoodle in Tokyo, Japan named Ranmaru. He owns the world record for longest eyelashes. His eyelashes measured 17 centimeters (6.69 inches) at that time.
Dogs Eyelashes And Its Disorders
Like every other element of the body, eyelashes can also face health issues. Below are some commonly occurring disorders:
1) Trichiasis:
It is a disorder in which the normal hair follicles become misdirected towards the eyes. These hairs then brush against the cornea or inside the covering of the eyelid.
Dogs with longer fur and longer eyelashes are more prone to this problem. It can also happen with dogs who have faced trauma in the past.
This condition is common in puppies or dogs with short noses and flattened face. Breeders call such dogs brachycephalic. This breed includes Lhasa Apsos, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, Pugs, and Bulldog.
Usually, this condition causes tear strains to develop around a dog’s eye. It causes discoloration due to residue left behind a dog’s eye discharge.
Symptoms:
Following are the symptoms of trichiasis:
- Excess watering also called epiphora
- Blinking or squinting
- Pain in the eye
- Itchiness
- Dark coloration of the eye
- Blood vessels in the cornea zone
- Any eye infection
2) Distichiasis:
Distichia is a nonstandard eyelash in dogs. It grows in an uncommon location alongside the eyelid. One of the places where a distichia grows is in the meibomian glands.
These glands create lubricants for the eye so that your pooch’s eye doesn’t run dry and itchy. These strange hairs can remain on the lower and upper eyelid.
Even though dogs do not have lashes on the lower lid, they might have this disorder.
The actual reason for this disorder is still unknown. However, veterinarians trust that this ailment is transmissible in nature. Some of these breeds include:
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- American Cocker Spaniel
- Dachshund
- Chesapeake Retriever
- Pekingese
- Lhasa Apso
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Boston Terrier
- Boxer Dog
- Golden Retriever
- Bulldog
- Shih Tzu
- Pug
Symptoms:
The indications depend upon the harshness of the disease. The signs may look like this:
- Irritation and redness
- Pain in the eye
- Eye discharge
- Excessive tearing also called epiphora
- Excessive squinting or blinking
If this condition remains untreated for a long time, it will result in a cornea ulcer. The cornea will turn blue and shiny. If the dog is in pain, it will paw at the infected eye.
3) Ectopic Cilia:
It is a small eyelash that is stiff in nature. This eyelash grows from underneath the lower or upper eyelid. It is an abnormal eyelash that grows at the end of the eye. This condition can be moderately painful and irritating for dogs.
If your pooch has Ectopic Cilia, surgery can correct it. Another possibility is cryotherapy also called freeze therapy. The vet performs both procedures under anesthesia.
Symptoms:
Canines with this disorder usually have:
- Redness
- Eye discharge
- Excessive tearing
- Corneal ulcerations
You cannot see these hairs from the naked eye. Your vet will observe them using a handheld optical microscope.
Do Dogs Have Eyebrows?
Technically dogs don’t have eyebrows. They have muscles around the eyes, having fur all over them. This fur acts like markings and resembles human eyebrows.
These muscles don’t perform the same function as our eyebrows.
Let’s talk about what acts as “eyebrows” in canines but are actually muscles. They have quite a science and history behind them.
The facial muscles above the dog’s eyes allow them to communicate better with humans. This came into existence due to our efforts to domesticate them for centuries.
Their “puppy dog eyes” have fooled you multiple times. It is their eyes you fall for and give them your piece of a favorite food. Their expressive face keeps you away from scolding them every time.
Dogs have the ability to raise their inner eyebrows. Scientists say pups have acquired this due to selection based on human preferences. It is true because we fall for those pups who resemble a baby or a sad face.
The gazing through their baby face triggers the mother-infant attachment cycle. The dogs interpret this gazing and nurturing and communication. Tickling is also a great way to bond with your dog.
There are long wiry hairs present above the pup’s eyebrows called whiskers. Whiskers are a type of extension to eyelashes. Their function as antennas and signal whether the surrounding is safe or not.
1) Which Dog Breeds Have Eyebrow Marking?
Every dog has eyebrow muscles, but not all of them have eyebrow markings. This marking helps a dog to communicate.
Have a look at some names of dog kinds with eyebrow marking:
- Labrador Retriever
- Doberman
- Gordon Setter
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- German Shepherd
- Rottweilers
2) Is It Okay To Trim Dog’s Eyebrows?
Trimming the hair nearby the eyes is a part of grooming. It helps the dog to see better. Obviously, this trimming will involve cutting the eyebrows shorter.
There is no need to fret about if it is okay to trim eyebrows or not. Your groomer knows what they are doing. Trust them!
If your canine buddy has a thick coat, you might have to get their fur trimmed very often. In this way, they will have a better vision and will look tidy too. A “puppy-cut” is a fuss-free look for the overall appearance of your dog.
You must not trim the whiskers above the eyelashes. They serve a purpose for pups. So, cutting them short will hinder the dog’s ability to become attentive to warning signals.
If there is dust or rubble stuck on them, you shall trim them a bit. Otherwise, whiskers are harmless and don’t come in the way of their sight.
Do Dogs Have Eyelids?
Being a dog owner, you might have seen your dog sleeping with their eyes close. It means that dogs do have eyelids.
The great part is they have a third eyelid as well. You haven’t seen it because it is not visible.
The third eyelid is the “nictitating membrane”. It closes across the entire dog’s eye.
It produces one-third of the tears.
Moreover, it serves to clean the mucus and debris from the cornea. It also protects the cornea from injuries, and fight eye infections.
Bottom Line:
In this article, you learned about do dogs have eyelashes. We also told you about the different eye regions that a dog has.
Dogs are cute creatures. Their loving and loyal nature makes everyone fall for them. Their expressions are what everyone falls for before adopting them.
Like every other body part, eyes also require optimum health care. These are very sensitive to light and touch.
Now you know the different parts of your furry friend’s eyes, ensure that you properly take care of them.