If you have a dog, you’ve probably noticed even the tiniest details about that adorable face. You might have even wondered — do dogs have eyelashes?
Let’s gaze into the glorious dog eyes and discover more about their lashes. We’ll answer the seven frequently asked questions on the topic:
- Do Dogs Have Eyelashes?
- Why Do Dogs have Eyelashes?
- What Dog Breeds Have Long Eyelashes?
- Can You Cut Your Dog’s Eyelashes?
- Do Dog Eyelashes Grow Back?
- Do Dogs With Long Eyelashes Suffer Eye Problems?
Do Dogs Have Eyelashes?
Yes, like humans’, dog eyelashes protect their eyes from the sun. Unlike ours, though, their eyelashes grow only from the upper eyelids unless the dog develops a distichiasis condition. We’ll briefly touch upon that later in this article.
Why Do Dogs Have Eyelashes?
The primary role of eyelashes is to protect the eyes from dust, debris, and external objects, especially when playing outside.
If your dog loves sniffing the grass or furiously digging something from the ground, the eyelashes protect it from all the little specks entering the eyes.
Last but not least, eyelashes make dogs even more gorgeous. Can you think of anything more adorable than a puppy with long eyelashes? It brings joy to the heart.
What Dog Breeds Have Long Eyelashes?
There aren’t many dog breeds with long eyelashes. That depends on the fur length as the main function of the lashes is to protect the eyes from the fur. So, a dog with a long coat is predisposed to long eyelashes. Here are some breeds that boast this feature:
- Cocker Spaniel
- Old English Sheepdog
- Maltese
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Lhasa Apso
- Shih Tzu
- Poodle
The Miniature Goldendoodle has some of the most stunningly beautiful eyelashes. They’re long and luscious, framing those loving, soulful eyes. The Goldendoodle eyelashes result from the mix between the Poodle and Golden Retriever. Generally, any crossbreed with a Poodle could inherit the long Poodle eyelashes. They frame the eyes and flow gracefully down the edge of the eyelids.
What Dog Has the Longest Eyelashes?
No specific breed has the longest eyelashes. Ranmaru, an Australian Labradoodle from Tokyo, Japan, holds the top. Its eyelashes were 6.69 inches long in 2014. Since then, the dog has held the Guinness World Record for that category.
Before Ranmaru, a Lhasa Apso had the longest dog eyelashes, and, earlier than that, a Cocker Spaniel held the world record.
Can You Cut Your Dogs’ Eyelashes?
The answer is yes, but it’s not necessary for all.
Most dogs have short eyelashes, and they don’t need a trim unless their owner thinks so. The exception is for dogs with long lashes that interfere with their sight. In this case, grooming a dog at home and trimming the fur and lashes should be regular.
So if you notice that your dog’s eyelashes are getting longer and blocking sight or irritating the eyes, it’s best to give them a trim. But don’t cut them too much, or you might have to deal with a bad infection.
If you do the trimming at home, take serious care of hygiene and safety.
Can You Cut Dog Eyelashes With Human Clippers?
Generally, you shouldn’t use human clippers for your dog’s fur or eyelashes.
Dogs with long eyelashes and fur need more frequent grooming. So if you need to do it at home, you better get some quality pet clippers.
You shouldn’t use human clippers because they have a different speed, volume, and heat buildup than pet clippers. Their noise or vibrations can easily startle your dog and cause an unwanted incident.
If your dog has shorter fur that’s not matted or too thick, and you’re certain it won’t get distressed by vibrations or loud noises, you can make an exception and use human clippers.
Do Dogs Eyelashes Grow Back?
Yes, on average, it takes them 5–6 weeks to grow back. You shouldn’t cut them too much, or they won’t protect the eyes from dust, external objects, or the sun. If it’s too late and you already did so, buy some pet eye wipes on Amazon to remove the dirt crust and discharge.
If you notice that your dog’s eyelashes are growing into the eye, it’s time to take your pet to the groomer for a trim. Another indication is if the lashes grow excessively long and start to curl back.
Do Dogs With Long Eyelashes Suffer Eye Problems?
The issue arises when the eyelashes become too long and start growing inward, irritating the eye. As a result, they can harm the dog’s eyes and cause several health issues. Let’s explore a few common disorders.
Trichiasis
That’s a condition where the eyelashes are misdirected or abnormally positioned, causing eye discomfort and irritation. It’s a common problem for breeds with long eyelashes or brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds. The symptoms you should look out for include:
- Excess watering
- Pain
- Itchiness
- Squinting or blinking
- Dark eye pigmentation
- Blood vessels in the cornea area
- Eye infection
Distichiasis
It’s a rare condition of an abnormal eyelash that grows in an unusual location along the eyelid. It can be on the upper or lower lid, and the cause is unknown. Symptoms of this condition include:
- Redness and irritation
- Eye discharge
- Pain
- Excessive tearing and blinking
If you don’t notice any of these symptoms but your pet still has irritated eyes, we suggest testing your dog for allergies. In this case, you can use dog eyewash from Amazon to relieve the pink eye and allergy symptoms.
Dogs with irritated eyes will try to rub them to calm the urge, causing further infection. Luckily, you can prevent that with a range of options that go beyond the plain old Elizabethan collar. For instance, a plastic dog cone alternative is a soft and comfortable e-collar.
Conclusion
Any dog with eyelashes looks more glamorous and gorgeous, but you should be careful with its length. If the lashes become too long, they might irritate and even harm your dog’s sight.
So do dogs have eyelashes? They do, and you now know how and when to trim them and what can happen if you don’t.
