How dogs see the world
Before discussing how to improve dogs’ eyesight, it might be interesting to learn how our canine friends’ vision works. We promise to keep the science to a minimum!
Dogs’ eyes are like ours in many ways. They have coloured irises which contract or dilate the pupils according to how bright your pup’s environment is. Their eyes have lenses to focus light on the retinas, which contain rods and cones to sense light, movement, and colour. Unlike humans, however, dogs have a third eyelid to protect their eyes and help produce tears. What’s more, pups have a ‘tapetum lucidum’ behind their retinas, enabling them to see better in dim conditions. It’s also why your pet’s eyes appear to shine at night when light reflects on them.
So, how do these similarities and differences affect how dogs see the world? First, their eyes have more rods than ours, which – together with the tapetum lucidum – means they see more clearly in the dark than us. This greater number of rods also allows them to detect motion more effectively than humans. That might explain why they’re so good at playing catch!
However, dogs don’t beat us on every measure of vision. For example, while we have three types of cones in our eyes, they only have two. As such, they can’t perceive as many colours as we can. Experts think they see in a similar way to humans with red-green colour blindness. People also have better visual acuity than pups, so more of the world is blurry to them.
Of course, when we talk about how to improve dogs’ eyesight, we don’t mean changing these fundamental aspects of their vision. Instead, we’re going to focus on how to keep their eyes healthy.
An overview of common eye problems in dogs
To understand how to improve dogs’ eyesight, we need to know more about what can go wrong with their vision. The first thing to note is that eye problems are fairly common in pups, and usually not serious. However, there are also conditions that may lead to vision loss and even blindness in our pets. That’s why it’s important to take your pooch to the vet if you have any concerns.
Some of the more frequent issues that affect dogs’ eyes include:
- Infections (for example, conjunctivitis)
- Inflammation in, or displacement of, the tear gland (cherry eye)
- Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
- Corneal ulcers
- Dry eyes
- Watery eyes
- Cataracts (where one or both eyes appear cloudy and the lens loses transparency)
- Lazy eye
- Retinal diseases
- Eye allergies
- Ectropion (where the eyelid droops or folds outwards)
- Entropion (where the eyelid rolls inwards)
- Bulging eyes
A variety of symptoms may accompany these conditions (and other concerns around eye health for dogs), such as:
- Swelling
- Redness/irritation
- Squinting
- Glassy eyes
- Cloudy eyes
- A lump on the eyelid
- Discharge or drainage from the eyes
- Hair loss around the eyes
- A visible third eyelid
- Frequent blinking
You might also notice your pup rubbing their face or pawing at their eyes.
There are behavioural changes to be aware of when thinking about how to improve dogs’ eyesight too. Signs that your pet is experiencing vision loss include:
- Bumping into furniture or walls
- Having trouble finding their toys or food and water bowls
- Not making eye contact with you
- Anxiety or clinginess
- Aggression
When to go to the vet about eye problems in dogs
A lot of the suggestions we have about how to improve dogs’ eyesight are preventative rather than curative. They’re certainly not intended to be a replacement for professional veterinary care or treatment. If you have any concerns about the health of your pup’s eyes, we advise taking them to the vet. Catching a problem early gives your pet the best chance of having successful treatment and making a full recovery. So, we suggest booking an appointment if you spot any of the symptoms above. This is especially important if your pooch has more than one and/or they aren’t improving.
At the appointment, the vet will check your pet’s vision and examine their eyes. This enables them to look for issues like ulcers and scratches, and measure eye pressure if they think it’s necessary. Depending on what they find, they’ll offer personalised advice on how to improve dogs’ eyesight and recommend appropriate treatment.
Checking eye health in dogs
Some of the symptoms we’ve mentioned above are easy to spot, but others can be more subtle. That’s why it’s a good idea to check your pup’s eyes at home once or twice a month. This will help you get to know what’s normal for your pet and notice any issues early. It’s particularly important if you have a pooch who’s prone to eye problems.
In fact, your pet’s breed is key when it comes to knowing how to improve dogs’ eyesight. This is because some are more susceptible to certain conditions than others. For example, pugs are more likely to develop corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, and dry eyes. Meanwhile, Siberian huskies are more vulnerable to cataracts.
Your pup’s peepers should be bright, clear, and moist. When assessing their health, take a close look at both eyes and be alert for any of the symptoms discussed above. You can also test to see if their pupils constrict in bright light, and if they’re able to track the movement of a tennis ball or similar object.
How to clean your dog’s eyes
Most pups will naturally have some gunk and debris around their eyes from time to time. Cleaning them may help to keep your pet more comfortable and reduce the risk of them developing a problem. Don’t worry if that sounds daunting! This technique for how to improve dogs’ eyesight is easy once you get the hang of it.
Start by dipping cotton wool in water that you’ve boiled but is now cool. Squeeze it out so it’s damp rather than wet and gently wipe it across your pup’s closed eyelids. Do this from the inner corner of the eye to the outer, not the other way around. You might need to do it more than once to completely clean the area. Repeat the process on the other eye with a fresh piece of cotton wool.
If you have a wriggly pup, it could be useful to enlist someone else to hold them still. And be sure to give your pet a treat and lots of cuddles afterwards. This will help them get used to this method of how to improve dogs’ eyesight.
What helps dogs’ eyesight stay sharp?
Apart from regular vet check-ups and at-home eye cleaning, what options are there for how to improve dogs’ eyesight? Nutrition is the other key piece of the puzzle. Just like us, the foods your pup eats can affect the condition of their eyes. Some of the most valuable nutrients to include in their diet are beta-carotene, zinc, omega fatty acids, lutein, and zeaxanthin. So, if you’re looking for a top dog food for eye health, ensure it’s rich in these. Alternatively, use this as a guide for choosing ingredients to make your own, or feeding your pooch eye-friendly snacks.
Of course, knowing what is good for dogs’ eyes isn’t necessarily enough. You also want to avoid things that are bad for your pup’s peepers. More specifically, we suggest steering clear of low-quality dog food that contains cheap filler ingredients and additives like artificial colourings and flavourings. Similarly, don’t feed your pet foods that are too salty. A high salt intake can raise the risk of hypertension, which may damage the retina and even lead to blindness.
The best dog food for eye health
While there isn’t one best dog food for eye health, there are several vision-friendly ingredients you can include in their diet. This is a simple yet effective technique for how to improve dogs’ eyesight. For instance, carrots and sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, while leafy greens like spinach contain lutein and zeaxanthin. Likewise, sunflower seeds are a wonderful source of zinc and vitamin E. You could also offer your pooch broccoli to up their intake of vitamins C and E. To add more antioxidants to their diet, opt for blueberries or cranberries.
As with any new ingredient, it’s wise to consult a vet before adding these foods to your pet’s meals. Similarly, keep an eye on your pup after they try them to ensure they’re not allergic. And don’t worry if you have a fussy pooch! There are plenty of options when it comes to how to improve dogs’ eyesight, so you’re sure to find an ingredient they like.
Eye health for dogs: the benefits of sea buckthorn oil
A more unusual ingredient you can employ in your quest for how to improve dogs’ eyesight is sea buckthorn oil. This comes from tiny orange berries that are bursting with eye-friendly nutrients like beta-carotene and omega-7 fatty acids.
Your pup’s body converts beta-carotene to vitamin A, which is important for the health of their retinas.(1) So if you’re interested in how to improve dogs’ eyesight, this nutrient is a great place to start. It’s particularly useful for supporting their vision at night and in dim light.
What's more, sea buckthorn oil is rich in antioxidants, including vitamins C and E and other potent plant compounds.(2) Among their many benefits is the ability to support the health of your pet’s eyes. Research shows that antioxidants have the potential to enhance visual function in dogs and even delay age-related visual impairment.(3)
Finally, the omega-7 in sea buckthorn can help to maintain appropriate moisture levels in your pup’s eyes. This could make it a useful option for how to improve dogs’ eyesight in pets with dry eyes.(4)
To harness sea buckthorn oil as a dog food for eye health, simply mix it into their normal wet food. One or two drops per 5kg of your pet’s body weight is a good guideline for how much to use. We recommend checking with a vet beforehand, to make sure the ingredient is suitable for your pup’s individual needs. This is particularly important if they have an existing health condition or are taking medication.
How to care for a dog with vision loss
In some cases, it’s impossible to prevent your pup from losing their vision – especially as they get older. At that point, it may be too late to look at how to improve dogs’ eyesight through nutrition. Instead, it will be important to consider the best ways to care for a pet with vision loss or blindness. Here are some top tips for helping your furry friend cope and maintain a high quality of life:
- Keep the layout of your furniture the same so your pup's mental map of your house doesn’t get confused
- Try not to leave things (e.g. shopping bags) on the floor where your dog may bump into them
- Don’t move your pet’s food bowl, water bowl, or bed around
- Try not to have sharp or breakable objects in places where your pup might walk into them. If you can’t remove them, put padding on sharp edges and corners
- Putting a textured mat at the top and base of the stairs can help your dog know when they’ve reached the last step
- Talk to your pup as you approach them or go to stroke them, so they don’t get startled
- Keep your dog on a lead when you go to new places, to reduce the chances of them getting confused or lost
- Let people know your pet is blind, so they can act appropriately
- Above all, be patient with, and considerate of, your beloved pup!
