Do Dogs Eyes Change Color

Can Dogs’ Eyes Change Color? Discover the Fascinating Facts and Myths About Canine Eye Colors

As a dog lover, you may have noticed that some dogs seem to have different eye colors at different times or ages. Maybe your puppy’s blue eyes turned brown or green, or your senior dog’s hazel eyes became cloudy or bluish-gray. Or maybe you’ve heard some stories about dogs whose eye colors changed dramatically due to various reasons, from health issues to diet changes to mood swings. So, do dogs’ eyes really change color? If so, how and why? And what does it imply about their health and behavior? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the truth behind this common question and dispel some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding it.

Introduction: Why Are Dogs’ Eyes So Special?

Before we dive into the topic of canine eye colors, let’s take a moment to appreciate the beauty and complexity of dogs’ eyes in general. As one of their most expressive features, dogs’ eyes can convey a wide range of emotions and signals, from joy and curiosity to fear and aggression. Their large pupils allow them to see in dim light and focus on distant objects, while their sharp vision enables them to detect movements and details that humans often miss. Moreover, dogs’ eyes are designed to reflect light differently than human eyes, which gives them that distinctive “glow” in the dark. All these factors make dogs’ eyes fascinating subjects for study and admiration.

Section 1: What Determines Dogs’ Natural Eye Colors?

To understand whether dogs’ eye colors can change, we first need to know what determines their natural eye colors. Like humans, dogs’ eye colors vary depending on their genetic makeup and breed characteristics. Most dogs have brown or black eyes, which come from a pigment called melanin that absorbs all wavelengths of visible light except brown or black. Some breeds, however, have blue or green eyes, which result from a lack of melanin in the iris and allow some light to reflect off the back of the eye, giving it a blue or green hue. Examples of such breeds include Siberian Huskies, Australian Shepherds, and Border Collies.

Interestingly, dogs’ eye colors can also change slightly as they age or mature. Puppies are often born with blue eyes that gradually darken into their adult color over several weeks or months. This happens because their irises develop more melanin as they grow up and switch from producing eumelanin (black-brown pigment) to producing pheomelanin (red-yellow pigment) or a combination of both. By about six months old, most puppies’ eye colors have stabilized to their adult shade unless they have a genetic anomaly or health issue that affects their pigmentation.

Section 2: Can Dogs’ Eye Colors Change Over Time?

Now that we know what determines dogs’ natural eye colors, let’s explore whether those colors can change over time due to external factors such as diet, stress, illness, or aging. The short answer is yes, but the extent and frequency of those changes depend on various variables.

One common reason why dogs’ eye colors may change temporarily is due to lighting conditions. Just like human eyes can appear different shades under sunlight versus artificial light, dogs’ eyes can look lighter or darker depending on the type and intensity of light around them. For example, a dog’s eyes may seem brighter or more intense when exposed to direct sunlight or indoor spotlights than when seen in dimmer surroundings. Conversely, a dog’s eyes may appear duller or cloudier if they are in pain or discomfort due to an injury or infection in the eye.

Another factor that can affect dogs’ eye colors is mood or emotion. When dogs feel happy, excited, or aroused, their pupils may dilate and their eye colors may seem more vibrant or intense. Conversely, when dogs feel sad, anxious, or fearful, their pupils may constrict and their eye colors may appear muted or dull. This is because the muscles in the iris that control the size of the pupil also affect the shape and color of the iris itself.

While these changes are usually minor and temporary, some dogs may experience more significant alterations in their eye colors due to health issues or genetic anomalies. For example, some dogs may develop cataracts or glaucoma, which can cause cloudiness or opacity in the eye lens or fluid and affect the color perception. Similarly, some dogs may have heterochromia, a condition where two eyes have different colors or different parts of one eye have different colors. Heterochromia can be inherited or acquired and can result from various factors such as trauma, inflammation, or tumors.

Moreover, some dog breeds are prone to developing pigment-related disorders that can change their eye colors over time. For instance, Australian Shepherds can suffer from uveitis, an inflammation of the uveal tract that can cause redness, swelling, and discoloration of the iris. Golden Retrievers can develop pigmentary uveitis, a similar condition that affects both eyes and leads to brownish-black spots on the irises. These conditions can be treated with medication and surgery but may lead to permanent changes in the eye colors and vision.

Section 3: Myths and Misconceptions About Dogs’ Eye Colors

As with any popular topic related to pets or animals, there are many myths and misconceptions surrounding dogs’ eye colors that need to be dispelled. Here are some of them:

– Myth 1: All white dogs have blue eyes.
False. While many white-coated dog breeds do have blue eyes (such as Dalmatians), not all of them do. Some white dogs have brown, black, or even green eyes, depending on their genetics and breed characteristics.

– Myth 2: Dogs’ eye colors can change due to mood swings.
Partly true. As we’ve discussed earlier, dogs’ pupils and irises can react to their emotional states and affect the appearance of their eye colors. However, this doesn’t mean that dogs’ eye colors change randomly or drastically based on their moods alone.

– Myth 3: Feeding your dog blueberries or carrots can change its eye color.
False. While some foods may contain nutrients that support eye health and vision (such as vitamin A), no food has been proven to alter the pigmentation or hue of a dog’s eye color significantly.

– Myth 4: Dogs with blue eyes are more prone to blindness.
False. While some breeds with blue eyes (such as Merle-colored dogs) may have a higher risk of developing certain eye diseases or defects, the color itself is not a predictor of blindness or impaired vision. Many dogs with blue eyes live healthy and happy lives without any vision problems.

Conclusion: What Have We Learned About Dogs’ Eye Colors?

In conclusion, despite the common belief that dogs’ eye colors cannot change, they actually can, to some extent and under specific conditions. Dogs’ natural eye colors are determined by their genetics and breed traits but can also be influenced by lighting, mood, health issues, and aging. While minor changes in eye color are usually harmless and temporary, significant changes may signal an underlying problem that requires veterinary attention. By understanding the facts and myths about dogs’ eye colors, we can appreciate these beautiful features of our furry friends better and help them maintain their optimal health and wellbeing.

References:

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/do-dogs-eye-colors-change/

https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/puppy-eyes-do-they-really-change-color

https://www.thesprucepets.com/do-dogs-eyes-change-color-1117497

https://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/pet-health/can-dog-eye-color-change-over-time/

https://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/why-do-some-dogs-have-two-different-colored-eyes