Recently I have been spending way more time around my family’s dogs, and I could not help but notice the adorable eyebrows all the dogos were sporting.

This reflection immediately brought me to wondering about whether or not they actually have real eyelashes and asking do all dogs have eyelashes?

Do dogs have eyelashes?

Indeed, all dog breeds are born with lashes and have them, but the length of the eyelashes is determined by the length of the fur of the dog. The purpose of the eyelashes is to protect a dog’s eyes from dust and debris which can cause unwanted infections and as a way to protect the eyes from sun exposure.

Unfortunately, although a dog’s eyelashes’ main function is to protect the eyes, sometimes they may cause unwanted problems if not treated and handled properly.

It is thus extremely important to pay attention to the state of your dog’s eyelashes in order to keep the eyes healthy.

Why Do Dogs have Eyelashes? The Importance of Upkeep and Preventative Care

Dogs and humans both have eyelashes that not only serve similar purposes but that can also cause problems if not well taken care of.

This is important to keep in mind because even though your dog’s eyelashes may not be as visible as your own, this does not mean that you should ignore them or pay them no mind as if they do not exist.

In fact, your dog’s eyelashes should be carefully looked at on a regular basis and need to be kept well-groomed, just as the rest of your dog’s fur, nails, and teeth are groomed, cleaned, and inspected to keep them all in good health.

Think of your dog’s eyelashes as a much more sensitive body part than your own. You yourself are able to fish out loose eyelashes out of your eyes, and you can clearly see whether or not your eyelashes are causing your eyes any problems.

Your dog, on the other hand, cannot do the same for itself.

So it is up to you to make sure that your furry companion’s eyelashes are looking healthy and not causing any discomfort to the eyes.

What’s more, it is crucial that you pay attention to the length and look of your dog’s lashes, especially making sure to take the proper steps of upkeep based on the type of lashes that your dog has.

You should keep in mind, then, that your dog’s eyelashes may be very different from other dogs’ eyelashes, meaning that the way you take care of them may vary from your neighbor’s or your friend’s eyelash care routine.

Your dog could sport very long lashes, very short lashes, a double set of lashes, or even a row of lashes on the lower lid. Each type of these type of lashes has to be taken care of differently and systematically to avoid infection and disease.

Remember that preventative care is the best way to avoid any and all problems related to the eyelashes and the eyes!

Can You Cut A Dog’s Eyelashes?

Yes, you can cut a Dog’s Eyelashes, but you should be careful when doing so, as should your dog’s groomer, if deeming the trim a necessity.

After all, your dog’s lashes are there to protect its eyes, and if cut too short, your dog will lose its crucial protection and be exposed to potential debris and the harsh sun.

Be sure to use your best judgement or talk to a well-versed professional in order to make the right decision.

Should You Trim A Dog’s Eyelashes?

Trimming a dog’s eyelashes depends on whether the lashes pose a potential threat of infection or harm to the eyes. If your dog’s lashes are not curling back nor looking dangerously long, then you should not go out of your way to trim the lashes.

If your dog’s eyelashes are getting clumped together or in any way seeming to irritate its eyes, then you most definitely should go ahead and give him a light trim.

Be careful to not cut the eyelashes too short, though. Leave the eyelashes too short, and you’ll expose your pet to harmful outside factors. Leave the eyelashes too long, and you may find the lashes pricking at your pet’s eyes and resulting in possible eye problems.

Should Dogs Have Long Eyelashes?

Technically, your dog can have long eyelashes if you brush them out well and keep them in a good condition. On the other hand, longer lashes can attract other hazardous particles if able to touch the fur, seeing as your dog’s fur tends to attract dust, pollen, and other types of debris.

This debris can then be transferred to your dog’s eye and result in aggravation and disease. Long eyelashes can also start to curl and end up pricking at your dog’s eyes which may cause your dog to paw at its eyes.

This type of behavior could also cause all types of different infections.

Generally speaking, it is better to keep your dog’s eyelashes neither too long nor too short. As you see, both extremes may result in infections or diseases. All in all, it is considered wiser to keep the lashes at a length that doesn’t put your pet in a potentially hazardous situation.

Do Dogs Eyelashes Grow Back?

They sure do! In fact, it takes an average of 5-6 weeks for a dog’s eyelashes to grow back. So if you’re worried that your groomer or you yourself trimmed a little too much, try to feel less stressed by knowing that in several weeks your furry pal will regain his eyelashes.

 

Related Questions

Which dog breed has the most eyelash-related problems?

 Bull terriers are a breed that is widely known to have extremely short eyelashes and more often than not end up inheriting a set of double lashes, also called distachiasis, which may cause inflammation and aggravation in the eyes.

The lack of length in the lashes also allows for debris to enter the eyes much more easily causing irritation and a higher possibility of serious and reoccurring infections.

Their lashes are also known to curl more frequently than other breeds’.

This, too, causes a variety of different eye problems. Unfortunately, these chronic eyelash problems may cause the breed to encounter a significant number of eye problems throughout the life span, so frequent eyelash and eye checks are mandatory and highly encouraged.

Is there any treatment necessary for dogs with long lashes in case lashes cause trouble?

Dogs that have long lashes do not always need medical intervention. If your dog’s lashes are trimmed well, and you make sure to keep the lashes from curling, then your dog will not be in need of any special procedures.

On the off chance that your dog’s eyelashes become long and scratch the surface of the eye, curl and aggravate the eyes, or transfer debris into the eyes and cause infection, then your dog may indeed need treatment.

Your dog may need surgical intervention or a simple round of medication.

Your veterinarian will be able to give you recommendations as to how to maintain a proper length of your dog’s eyelashes to avoid medical problems and how to treat any and all infections that may arise from a long length of the eyelashes.

Keep in mind, though, that preventative care is the best care, so take care of your dog’s eyelashes to avoid any unnecessary pain in the future.