When do Puppies Eyes Change Color?

Ever wondered When do Puppies Eyes Change Color? Let’s have a look. Having a puppy at home is such a wonderful experience. Witnessing a puppy grow before your eyes is truly exciting. This time creates memories to treasure. Their playful antics are sure to warm anyone’s heart, and their adorable eyes only add to their charm.

Newborn puppies typically keep their eyes shut for the week after birth as they navigate their surroundings by crawling and searching for their mother. Many pet owners may not realize that a puppy’s eyes change color during the stages of their development.

1. Wondering why Puppies have Blue Eyes?

It all comes down to the lack of melanin in their irises at birth. Melanin, which determines eye color, starts developing as they grow older. The puppy’s eye color takes on a blue hue resulting from light reflecting due to the lack of melanin.

If you’ve ever cared for puppies, you’ll know their eyes remain shut for the first 8 to 14 days after birth. They can’t see during this time. Puppies use their sense of touch or smell to move around. You often saw them going over or under their siblings while driving to find their mother.

As this stage passes, the puppy’s eyes open gradually. This is the first time you see a puppy’s eyes, and it is very memorable for most owners. Looking into a puppy’s eyes for the first time develops an emotional connection. You would not want to miss the first time puppies open their eyes.

2. Transition and Development of A Puppy’s Eye Color

Puppies are typically born with blue eyes. The initial blue hue is due to their iris’ lack of melanin pigment, which gradually develops over time. 

The puppy’s eyes change color from blue to their final eye color, usually during the 9-12 week period of their age. The most common eye colors are amber and dark brown. As the puppy’s eyesight matures and becomes more responsive, the melanin production in their iris increases, changing their eye color. Before this, they may stumble over things around the house.

Darker color eyes are a result of more melanin production. During the 9-12 weeks age, puppies do not have the same vision range as they do when they reach adulthood. Generally, it takes a couple of weeks for their eye color to reach the final hue they will have as adults. This transition doesn’t happen overnight.

3. When to Seek Veterinary Care

If your puppy begins to rub their face a lot, make noises, or act strangely. It might be time for a trip to the vet. A comprehensive check-up from the veterinarian can identify any cause of concern. This way, they can receive the care. Uncommon symptoms of the eyes could indicate underlying eye health issues.

4. Caring for Your Puppies Eyes and Vision

Should you notice any signs of injury, puffiness, or infection in your puppy’s eyes, it’s crucial to deal with them immediately. Puppy’s eyes are very sensitive. Consider taking them to an eye specialist to prevent any complications.

Some eye problems are easy to identify. It’s crucial to seek advice from a professional as you notice any issues to ensure you get the right diagnosis and care. In dogs, conjunctivitis eye infection is common and should not be ignored. If your puppy or dog is rubbing or squinting its eyes, it could signal an infection that needs attention from a vet.

If your puppy’s eye problems persist or worsen quickly, they could indicate serious issues. Providing them with immediate treatment from a veterinarian is crucial to keeping their eyesight in perfect condition. If you want immediate assistance, consider consulting a vet online.

5. Genetic Origins of Eye Color

A dog’s eye color is mainly determined by its DNA. Genetic factors influence how pigments are created and spread in a dog’s eyes, leading to different eye colors such as blue, brown, green, or amber. The cross between different gene variants determines the final color of the eyes.

Typically, you can anticipate a dog’s eye color of a dog based on the color of its fur during puppyhood. Dogs with darker coats tend to have dark eye colors. Similarly, those with lighter coats may have light eye colors.

5.1. Blue Eyes in Huskies

A Siberian husky often comes to mind when people think of blue-eyed dogs. Among breeds, Siberian husky puppies commonly possess a variation in the ALX4 gene that leads to their blue eyes. Since it is a dominant trait, a puppy with one copy of the variant is most likely to have blue eyes.

Sometimes, Siberian huskies, Australian Shepherds, Alaskan Klee Klai, and Miniature American Shepherds can carry the blue-eyed variant. Nevertheless, it is quite rare.

5.2. Piebald Variant

Another gene trait responsible for blue eyes is a gene variant of MITF, an associated Transcription Factor. It is also known as the piebald or white spotting variant. It results in localized and irregular lack of pigment. 

The piebald variant is mostly responsible for white markings in the dog’s coat, pink nose, pink eye rims, and blue eyes. Certain breeds, including American Staffordshire Terriers, Boxers, Bull Terriers, and Dalmatians, have blue eyes because of the piebald variant.

5.3. Merle Variant

The Merle gene produces a marbled effect pattern on the dog’s coats. Dogs with the Merle gene are likely to have blue or partially blue eyes. Several dog breeds, including Australian Shepherds, Catahoula leopard dogs, Great Danes, and Collies, have this trait.

The MITF and Merle variants are associated with known health risks. If both dogs are merle carriers, the puppy inherits two copies of the variant. Such puppies commonly have a completely white coat. They may also have eye defects and be deaf and blind. Consequently, people don’t breed dogs with two merle carriers.

6. Takeaway: The Timeline of Puppy’s Eye Colors

As puppies grow and reach adulthood, their eye color undergoes a few transformations. Newly born puppies have their eyes tightly closed for 8 to 14 days. Around the two-week age mark, their eyes finally begin to open up. At first, their eyes have hints of blue color. However, not all dogs retain the blue eye color as they age.

At the beginning of week four, the puppies’ eyes change color to permanent eye color. The transition duration varies from dog to dog owing to genetics, breed, and environmental factors. Normally, it may span up to 9-12 weeks from when they are born.

Recognizing the natural course of eye development in puppies and knowing when to seek veterinary care is vital. Understanding the underlying genetic causes of eye color can help predict, diagnose, and manage eye conditions and problems in pet dogs.