Usually a four-legged friend appears in the owner’s house with his eyes open, but there are different situations. A domestic dog produces offspring or a kitten will be picked up on the street. In this case, it is important for a person to know all the stages of development of his four-legged friend in order to monitor the correct development in the first months of life.
Why are puppies born blind?
Dogs, like other mammals, are born completely helpless. They remain completely blind for some time and navigate in space only thanks to their developed sense of smell. Babies are blind for only a short time, but during this period their eyes are protected from the adverse effects of environmental conditions. Other reasons that babies are born blind:
- Their gestation time is relatively short, it is 58-70 days. This time is not enough for the full formation of all organs, including the eye.
- A large number of gestating kittens. The female gives birth to at least 2-3 individuals, but more often 6-8 cubs are born at the same time. This number of fetuses does not allow them to fully develop in the womb.
- Closed eyelids promote protection. The kitten's body is very weak, therefore it is vulnerable to any infections that penetrate the mucous membrane. In addition, dirt does not penetrate through the closed organs of vision.
- While in the womb, the fetus does not live in completely sterile conditions. Therefore, through closed eyes, the cub does not risk becoming infected with the microbes that may be there.
All of the above reasons point to a natural mechanism for protecting the dog’s health. Babies begin to see only when their body and internal systems are fully formed to interact with the external environment. Epiphany does not come immediately, so the owner will have to be patient in order to control the process when the puppies' eyes open.
Why do puppies' eyes not open immediately?
Not every pet owner can answer the question of when puppies' eyes open. There are also those who do not even know that puppies are born with their eyes closed. And certainly only a few will be able to say why newborn babies remain blind for a long time after birth.
When do puppies' eyes open?
Regarding the latter, experts give several reasons why dog puppies are born with their eyes closed:
- This is due to the fact that dogs carry their babies for a relatively short time. The total duration of pregnancy in dogs lasts from 58 to 68 days. There are breeds, such as the Yorkshire Terrier and Chihuahua, in which pregnancy can last over 70 days. In any case, this period is insufficient for the complete formation of a young organism. In puppies, the eyelids become stronger within 10-14 days.
- A large number of puppies. One more point concerning specifically representatives of the animal world. A dog can bear not 1, but at least 2-3 fetuses. In some cases, 6-8 babies are born at the same time; this phenomenon is common not only among large breeds, such as husky and Labrador; a dachshund, a Yorkie, and a mongrel can produce large offspring. Accordingly, the more fruits, the less developed they are.
- Closed eyes for a long time provide immunity protection. The newborn body is weak and susceptible to any disease. Tightly closed eyelids prevent particles of dust and dirt from entering the eyes, and provide protection against injuries and eye diseases. By the time the baby begins to look at the world, his immunity gradually strengthens.
- Intrauterine development also has an impact. Closed eyes are needed while the baby is inside the mother. It also protects against possible irritants and bacteria. The same rule applies to the ears.
When there are many puppies, the babies are less developed
From the above, we can conclude that when puppies finally begin to see and hear, their body is already sufficiently formed to interact with the outside world. Of course, the process of insight does not happen instantly, so the owner should be patient and wait for everything to take its course.
Developmental factors influencing the timing of eye opening
Various factors influence when babies begin to see the world around them. For example, in strong individuals with good physical characteristics, the process of insight occurs a little faster. In addition, females are characterized by early development compared to males. Therefore, their visual organs also develop faster.
Another reason influencing the formation of cubs is their living conditions. Here we are talking about the illumination of the nest, the physical condition of the mother dog, and sanitary and hygienic standards of maintenance. If a newborn is born and spends the first weeks of life in poor conditions, then its further development will be slowed down.
The period of gestation also has a direct impact on the opening of the eyelids. If the birth occurred earlier than the time prescribed by nature, then the formation of the visual organs will be delayed. And, conversely, in a post-term baby, development will occur a little earlier.
What to pay attention to
So now you know when puppies open their eyes. The formation of the retina ends by the 21st day. It is very important not to leave babies in bright light - it is harmful to the eyes. Puppies begin to see well at the age of four weeks.
The period of socialization is from the 3rd to the 10th week, where social connections arise. Jubilee period from the 10th week to the 7th month, where a sense of hierarchy develops. At this stage you see the biotope, the subject's ability to develop vital functions, feeding behavior, organic functions and motor skills. Feeding behavior: Breastfeeding occurs eight times a day, approximately every three hours for the first two weeks. The puppy moves towards the mother, and when she reaches her, she slides through the hair in search of her breast.
Once detected, the puppy pushes the muzzle and at the same time performs pressure movements with the two front paws, the spot "makes dough", these maneuvers stimulate the milk diaper as they cause a certain hormone to release oxytocin, which has a significant effect on the metabolism of lactation. After feeding, the mother turns the puppy and licks him especially in the perineal area to stimulate defecation and urination, which are therefore reflexive actions that are very important to consider when, for various reasons, he is forced to artificially feed. All spills are absorbed by the mother, despite our disgust.
If the puppy’s eyes have not yet opened, but look swollen, this is a reason to contact the veterinarian; an infection is possible. The help of a specialist will also be required in case of suppuration or redness.
Newborn puppies have bluish eyes. Later it will change to permanent. But if the eyes appear cloudy, whitish, or too blue, take your puppy to the vet.
When and on what day do puppies' eyes open?
Newborn pets begin to see when their eyelids are fully formed. On average, this takes 10-14 days after the baby is born. However, there are factors that speed up or slow down the process of insight.
Process Features
The opening of the eyes in tetrapods occurs slowly and begins from the inner corner, gradually moving to the outer. A thin gap appears on one eyelid, which after a while opens completely. Usually the process occurs first with one eye, then with the second. But there are cases of simultaneous opening.
Immediately after epiphany, the kittens see the world around them blurred, distinguishing only light and shadow. Gradually, vision becomes clearer. After 3-4 days, babies begin to see well.
The owner of newborns should not be frightened by the veil and the dull blue color of the iris. The film will disappear once the puppies are able to fully focus their gaze on surrounding objects, and the color changes to a permanent color by three months of age.
Differences by breed
The rate of formation of the organs of vision and hearing differs among different representatives of breeds. It is important to take this into account when observing the growing process of a newborn baby. Knowing when puppies of different breeds open their eyes, the owner will be able to recognize problems in time and contact a veterinarian. The periods of insight are as follows:
- In Chihuahua babies, their eyes appear at 12-13 days. In the case of these babies, the gestation period that is longer than in other individuals plays an important role.
- Newborn spaniels develop at an average rate. Their eyelids open in the second week of life.
- German Shepherd cubs begin to see the outside world at 14-15 days.
- Toy terrier babies begin to see sight on the 14-15th day, but there are frequent cases of eyelids opening on the 20th day of life.
- Spitz babies develop a little slower. Their vision appears only on the 16th-17th day.
The indicated periods are fairly average. For each specific case, which depends on various factors, the situation develops differently. It has also been noticed that an ordinary yard dog opens its eyelids earlier than a purebred dog cub.
The best way to care for newborn puppies
During the initial stage of their lives, all the attention that puppies require is provided by their mother. We should intervene as little as possible and only when we detect a problem in the puppies or the bitch. When the kids grow up and become independent, we will have time to play with them.
So we don't have to do anything other than keep an eye on the family, keep them in a stress-free environment, and provide mom with quality food and water on demand. For orphans, we must feed them milk specially formulated for dogs and follow the care prescribed by the veterinarian.
Do babies need special care these days?
The formation of visual organs is a complex process that takes some time. Epiphany does not always go smoothly, so the main thing for a loving owner is the desire to help his little friend.
But human participation is not always necessary. The main thing at this time is to provide full care for small dogs and simply monitor on what day the puppies will open their eyes. It is also worth taking care of the mother bitch.
At first, it is advisable to protect newborns from bright lighting by placing them with their mother in a dim, well-heated room. You should not open your eyelids yourself. If a purulent crust appears on the eyes, you can wipe them with an antiseptic solution. They do this until the kitten opens its eyelids.
If the eyes become very festered, swollen or do not open completely, you need to call a veterinarian at home. Self-medication or delay can result in dogs becoming blind for the rest of their lives.
Shifting deadlines and other dangers
The main task on the part of the owner is to monitor all stages of the process. Sometimes there are deviations that require contacting a veterinarian.
Early opening
Epiphany earlier than 10-14 days after birth is influenced by various reasons. Most often this is a feature of the breed or a long gestation period.
If the owner sees open eyelids on a newborn, this is not a reason to panic. You just need to reduce the lighting in the room where the offspring is kept. This will protect your visual organs from excessive exposure to light. In addition, it is necessary to protect the nest with newborns so that the babies do not crawl out, harm themselves or injure the mucous membrane.
Late opening
One of the factors influencing the slowdown of the process is the health status of the baby. If a kitten was born weakened and was then exposed to infectious or viral diseases, then it begins to see a little later.
The living conditions of newborns and mother dogs also affect the condition of the baby. Excessive lighting, low room temperature and unsanitary conditions have the most unfavorable effect on the development of a dog.
Possible diseases
If after two weeks the newborn has not begun to see clearly, then you should take a close look at the four-legged pet. In some cases, signs of inflammation, souring of the eyelids or other problems are noticeable. Then you can’t hesitate to visit a veterinary clinic for an examination and diagnosis. Here is a list of possible pathologies:
- tissue fusion;
- conjunctivitis;
- blindness;
- injuries.
Before visiting the veterinarian, wipe the baby's face with a soft cloth moistened with chamomile decoction, a weak solution of furatsilin or potassium permanganate. Only a veterinarian can prescribe further treatment and medications.
Why puppies don't open their eyes right away
A puppy that has just come into the world has underdeveloped eyelids. It is for this reason that the process of their subsequent development occurs after the birth of the baby.
It is worth noting! After the development of the eyes is completed, the animal’s body is fully formed - the puppy can fully see, feel, and respond to various irritating factors.
A puppy's eyelids perform several important functions:
- they prevent dry eyes;
- provide high protection of the cornea from the effects of various negative factors;
- they delay the secretion of tears, which cleanse the eyes.
If an animal's eyes erupt before the prescribed period, this can lead to serious problems in the development of the dog's visual organs. In these situations, the eyelids are often not fully formed, which is precisely why they simply cannot perform all their intended functions.
One of the common problems with early teething is the production of insufficient tears. This ultimately leads to the development of an unpleasant condition called dry eye. Under no circumstances should this be left without action. In these situations, therapeutic therapy with the use of antibiotics and the application of special ointments is required.
Further development of babies
Before the cubs begin to see, they try to take their first hesitant steps. Gradually, when the newborn is able to distinguish surrounding objects, the pet’s gait becomes confident and conscious.
The next stage of growing up is the appearance of hearing. This happens on days 14-19. After three weeks of life, teeth erupt. From this time on, the four-legged friend begins to bite the owner’s fingers and all objects around.
At 1 month, the dog develops a tail wagging reflex. From this time, the baby begins to be fed with cottage cheese or other low-fat fermented milk products.
If you know the time when newborns open their eyelids, you can notice deviations in time and consult a veterinarian. happens in different ways. The formation of the visual organs in cubs is influenced by the breed, gestation period, and living conditions. Deviations can be associated with congenital or acquired infection, care and unsanitary conditions.
The article is of a recommendatory nature. Contact a specialist!
Development of newborn puppies
It is worth immediately noting that the development of each baby dog is individual, even if they are from the same mother. There are simply no strict deadlines for the development of the body.
After birth, the umbilical cord falls off in 2-3 weeks, but in order for the puppy to avoid infection, it should be kept in a sterile and warm room. This method allows you not only to avoid diseases, but also to develop healthy muscles and nervous system.
After 1–2 weeks, puppies show the first signs of movement. They still move weakly, but they are already trying to blindly move their limbs and crawl. This period occurs differently for each pet. Some may remain completely motionless, and then immediately begin to crawl confidently. When moving, young dogs navigate solely by smell, since their vision and hearing have not yet developed. On day 16, the puppies try to stand on their feet. You can't help them with this. If the baby cannot stand on his paws, then his muscles are not yet ready for such loads. It is only recommended to prepare the place and cover the enclosure so that it is hard and non-slip.
By the third week, all babies should be able to confidently stand on their feet and move around. If the paws continue to move apart, then it is the fault of the flooring of the enclosure. You just need to lay and secure the cloth to the floor.
At the age of 4 weeks, all puppies begin to explore the world. They play, begin to show character, get to know people. At this stage of development, you can see what the dog will be like in the future. Playful pets, they grow up to be fidgety, fast dogs. Quiet puppies become real pets that are easy to train, sit quietly and do not behave aggressively.
During these 4 weeks of growth, the owners will have to endure another problem. She touches her teeth. Puppies cut their teeth, just like people. First, milk teeth grow, and then they are replaced by molars. During tooth growth, you should especially carefully monitor the health and behavior of your pets. In order to reduce the load on the gums, they usually buy small toys. Dogs use them to scratch their teeth and relieve discomfort.
Vision in dogs appears on days 12–15. In exceptional cases, puppies begin to see later, but this does not indicate weakness or sickness of the dog. Dogs begin to perceive the first sounds on days 14–17, but they can only fully hear after 4 weeks. There can often be problems with hearing, but it is difficult to detect it in the early stages, especially if the puppies are all together. Typically, hearing problems appear after moving to a new home.
Health
Responsible breeders should treat puppies with care and attention
Particular attention should be paid to their health. In the early stages of development, small pets can get sick even from a blow of wind
The first step is to have the puppies examined for birth defects a few weeks after birth. After birth, it is better not to touch them, as this can cause injury to the fragile body. If serious defects are detected, the puppies are most often euthanized. We must not forget about docking in some varieties of dogs. Tail trimming can be done at any age, but the older the dog, the more painful it is. Cupping is usually carried out at 2–4 days of age. The tails are not yet strong and the puppies do not feel anything.
Tail trimming is done at home. Dogs begin to be vaccinated at the age of 6–7 weeks, but individual cases should be taken into account. We must not forget about worms, which can often be picked up not only by puppies, but also by their mother.
