Do Dogs Really Sleep With Their Eyes Open? It’s More Than Meets the Eye

Photo by Tom Pipol Escobar on Unsplash

We’ve all seen those cartoon scenes where the guard dog, supposedly vigilant, is snoozing with his eyes wide open — an amusing nod to the idea that he’s always on guard duty. But do our furry friends actually sleep with their eyes open?

The truth might surprise you, and as someone who’s had a front-row seat to all things canine, I can tell you firsthand, reality doesn’t always match the cartoons!

Take my Rottweiler, for instance. I’ve caught him more than once seemingly dozing off with his eyes partially open, revealing a glimpse of eyeball, often with a hint of reddish hue.

Was he really pulling off the impossible by sleeping with his eyes open? Not quite. The reality is a bit more eye-opening than thought(pun totally intended!).

My deep dive into this quirky phenomenon started when I worked at a veterinary hospital. Part of my job involved monitoring pets during surgical recovery, which gave me plenty of time to notice the peculiar ways dogs’ eyes behaved under various conditions.

The experience was, quite literally, an eye-opener, especially when assisting a veterinary ophthalmologist — yes, I’ve spent more time looking into dog eyes than most people do in a lifetime.

Now, enough with the puns. Let’s get down to why dogs seem to sleep with their eyes open and what’s really going on behind those sleepy peepers!

Are Dogs Really Sleeping With Their Eyes Open?

​Spoiler alert: No, they’re not. It’s not some superpower they’ve developed; it’s Mother Nature at work. If dogs truly slept with their eyes open, their poor peepers would dry out faster than you can say “fetch,” leading to all sorts of eye problems.

So, What’s the Deal During Surgery?

​The one time you’ll see a dog with its eyes fully open while ‘sleeping’ is when they’re under anesthesia as it often happens for some surgical procedure.

When dogs are anesthetized, their muscles, including those controlling the eyelids, relax completely.

This relaxation can cause their eyes to remain open, but don’t worry — the vet team’s got it covered. They apply a lubricating ointment to keep the eyes moist and prevent any damage while Fido’s under.

My client’s dog’s “third eyelid” showing after waking up from a deep sleep

Why Do My Dog’s Eyes Look ‘Open’ When He’s Sleeping?

​Good question! If your dog’s eyes seem open during sleep, you’re probably seeing the third eyelid, also known as the nictitating membrane.

This nifty piece of doggy anatomy sweeps across the eye like a windshield wiper, keeping it moist and protected. Think of it as a built-in, no-hands-needed natural eye dropper.

And yes, the membrane’s reddish-pink hue is perfectly normal — it’s well supplied with blood, after all.

The Breed and Age Factors

​Some dogs, especially those with long, narrow heads (think greyhounds), have more visible third eyelids than others.

And as dogs age, you might notice this third eyelid popping up more often during sleep. It’s usually nothing to worry about unless there are signs of dryness or other eye issues.

Health Concerns

​If your dog’s third eyelid is showing when he’s awake, or if there’s any unusual eye activity, it’s time for a vet visit.

Conditions like “cherry eye” or lagophthalmos (incomplete eyelid closure) can lead to more serious problems if left untreated.

And let’s not forget, some health conditions can make dogs appear as if they’re sleeping with their eyes open, when really, it’s a sign of something deeper.

Eyes Wide Awake

When your dog finally wakes up, that third eyelid should retreat, and all should be back to normal. Blink, and you’ll miss it.

And speaking of blinks, did you know that humans still have a vestigial third eyelid? It’s next to that bump in the corner of your eye and it’s called the plica semilunaris, a little reminder of our own evolutionary past!

So, while it might look like your dog is mastering the art of sleeping with his eyes open, it’s just another fascinating quirk of canine anatomy.

Just remember, if anything seems off, it’s always best to get it checked out. After all, those puppy eyes deserve the best care we can give them!

Adrienne Farricelli