As puppies grow from birth they will slowly mature. Puppies gain weight, their eyes will open, their ears will open and they will begin to walk. Unlike humans, puppies are born nearly blind; thus, their eyes remain closed for a period of time as they grow stronger and healthier.
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Eye Formation
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Dog eyes Puppies are born with both their eyes closed because they are almost completely blind. Puppies will keep their eyes closed for a period of time as they continue to form the various structures of the eye such as the third eyelid and the iris.
The eyes are sensitive at this period and remain closed so as not to permanently damage the eye structure. Once eyes are open they are still quite sensitive and will continue to form over the next couple weeks, allowing the animal to see progressively more as time passes.
Time Frame
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Eye formation time frame Typically puppies' eyes will begin to open between 13 and 20 days. This time period can vary depending on breed, but this is a standard time frame for most canines. The eyes will usually open a small amount at first and then gradually open more until the eye has fully opened. The eyes should be fully opened four weeks after birth.
Care
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Dog on a leash The eyes will open naturally and do not require a lot of care and maintenance. Once the eyes are open you can start introducing different types of objects to the anima, such as a food dish and doggie door. It is especially good to introduce items you will need to properly socialize the animal such as a leash. If you show the leash to the animal early on and let him get to know the object, he will be more likely to accept the use of the object later on when he is older.
Precautions
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Dog claws Watch the puppy's eyes for any kind of discolored discharge---this could be a sign of infection. If you notice this occurring, immediately contact a veterinarian and schedule an appointment for the puppy. Infections can sometimes happen in newborn puppies for various reasons, and they should be monitored for such an occurrence. Also, clip a puppy's nails so that they do not accidentally scratch their eyes and cause damage to the tissue.
Warnings
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Do not for any reason force open the animals' eyes. The proper amount of time for eye formation is absolutely necessary for the eyes to develop and become healthy. Opening the eyes before the right time could irreparably harm them, usually resulting in blindness.
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