Home Dog Ownership & Care # When Do Puppies Open Their Eyes? The Woof & Beyond Team Updated November 25, 2020 2 min read Not veterinary advice ![](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/static/0d40abf099e6e0aa7fea4f0ec47f8d38/5e493/image.jpg) Puppies are born blind and deaf, only being able to experience touch and smell. It usually takes about **10-14 days** for most puppies to start opening their eyes. Some breeds like Bulldogs and Cocker Spaniels, however, can take closer to 21 days. This is also around the time it takes their ears to open and their teeth to start developing. ## When Puppies First Open Their Eyes Puppies’ eyes are not fully developed when they are born. **When they first open their eyes, they can’t see clearly yet.** Their vision will be blurry as their eyes continue to develop over the next couple of weeks. Puppies’ eyes will be very sensitive to light at this stage and may appear grayish or blue. This eye color will change, however. Gradually, as the eyes continue to develop, the puppies’ eyes will start to look more and more like the real eye color they will have as adult dogs. You may also see puppies’ eyes open one at a time, with only one eye opening at first and only a day or two after, the second one. **This whole eye development process may take up to** [**16 weeks (4 months)**](https://veteriankey.com/canine-ocular-fundus-and-optic-nerve/)**.** At this time, a particular part of their eye called the [Tapetum Licidum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapetum_lucidum) finishes developing. Puppies then finally gain the ability [to see to their full potential](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/how-do-dogs-see-the-world/). **It would be best if you let the process unfold naturally**. Forcing puppies’ eyes to open may hurt them if their eyes are still not developed enough yet. The eyes will open by themselves when the time is right - unless there is an underlying problem. ## When To See a Vet ![puppy1](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/static/2904333f09aece2ce05bdc04c2e9a4fd/a2510/puppy1.jpg) If you see any **swelling**, **bulging**, **pus**, or **discharge** from the eye or eye area, it could be a sign of infection. It is important to keep infections at bay as they can cause problems with the eye’s development and, in some severe cases, make the puppy go blind. For this reason, it is essential to keep the puppy’s area clean to reduce the chance of infections like [conjunctivitis](https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-discharge-from-eye) from occurring. **If your puppy’s eyes didn’t open after 2-3 weeks since birth**, it could mean there is a developmental issue. **If you spot any of those signs, please consult with a professional veterinarian.** ## Quickly Assessing A Puppy’s Vision You can and should assess your puppy’s vision after opening his eyes to ensure the eyes have developed correctly. **A simple assessment can be as simple as quietly and slowly moving your hand in front of the puppy’s eyes and watching for a reaction.** At this stage, the puppy still can’t see clearly. Nevertheless, your hand movements should be able to divert his attention momentarily. If there is no reaction whatsoever or you have a reason to suspect that something might be off, you should have the puppy assessed by a vet. _If you found this article useful, you may also want to learn more about [how dogs see the world](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/how-do-dogs-see-the-world/)._ This is not a substitute for advice from a vet who can examine your dog. New Puppy Puppy Development Dog Vision Previous Why Dogs Eat Poop — and How to Stop It Next Puppy Teething — Timeline & Survival Guide People also ask Dog Vision: How Dogs See the World When Do Puppies' Ears Stand Up? Puppy Weaning: When Do Puppies Stop Drinking Milk? Picking Up Your Puppy from the Breeder: What to Bring Along New Puppy Checklist: Battle-tested Items You Need For The Early Stages Should You Wake up Your Puppy to Pee at Night? ## Other questions about dog ownership & care The ones people read straight after this. Dog Ownership & Care ### [Dog Vision: How Dogs See the World](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/how-do-dogs-see-the-world/) It is a widespread belief that dogs can only see in black and white. However, this belief is not… November 15, 2020 3 min read Dog Ownership & Care ### [When Do Puppies' Ears Stand Up?](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/when-do-puppies-ears-stand-up/) Ah, puppies. They come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and types. They each have their own… July 8, 2021 5 min read Dog Ownership & Care ### [Puppy Weaning: When Do Puppies Stop Drinking Milk?](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/when-do-puppies-stop-drinking-milk/) Joyful. Bright. Precious. These are just a few of the words that describe puppies. Gazing into their… May 24, 2022 3 min read Dog Ownership & Care ### [Picking Up Your Puppy from the Breeder: What to Bring Along](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/what-to-bring-when-picking-up-puppy-from-breeder/) Bringing a new four-legged family member home is an exciting time in anyone’s life - and also a bit… July 25, 2022 4 min read Dog Ownership & Care ### [New Puppy Checklist: Battle-tested Items You Need For The Early Stages](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/new-puppy-checklist/) Congratulations on your new puppy! Getting a new puppy is a thrilling experience. However, it is not… October 25, 2020 15 min read Training & Behavior ### [Should You Wake up Your Puppy to Pee at Night?](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/should-you-wake-up-puppy-to-pee-at-night/) Puppies cannot hold their bladders for very long when they are young. As a general rule of thumb… February 8, 2021 1 min read