Watching dogs sleep can be a peaceful sight for dog parents to see. However, sometimes you may notice your dog sleeping with their eyes open and wonder if this behaviour is normal. In this article, we help answer the question ‘why does my dog sleep with his eyes open?’ for dog parents, by exploring the reasons behind the behaviour. We also provide insights on when there is and isn’t cause for concern when dogs sleep with their eyes open. By understanding your dog’s behaviour, you can rule out any underlying illness, and ensure your dog is getting restful sleep to stay happy and healthy.
Do dogs sleep with their eyes open?
It is true that dogs can sleep with their eyes open, whether partially or fully. Sometimes, it appears this way because dogs have a raised third eyelid called the nictitating membrane. The nictitating membrane is an almost transparent eyelid behind your dog’s outer lids, which protects and cleans your dog’s eyes from any dust, dirt and debris, as well as moistening their eyes when they’re dry. When your dog opens their eyes, this membrane will retract to the inner corners of their eyes - nearest to their nose. However, when your dog does sleep with their eyes open, you may actually be seeing their third eyelid. It’s important for dog parents to understand their dog’s sleeping behaviours, as restful sleep is crucial for their well-being. If you feel like your dog doesn’t want to sleep, you can find more guidance in our article.
What are the reasons behind dogs sleeping with their eyes open?
There are many theories behind why some dogs sleep with their eyes open. When dogs are in the deepest stage of their sleep, also known as the REM stage where dreams occur, you may notice certain behaviours from your dog. Your dog may twitch their legs, yelp/bark, or move their eyes around whilst dreaming. This is also when you may see your dog sleeping with their eyes open. In other cases, if your dog is asleep with their eyes open, it may be that they’re not fully asleep yet. If they’ve just gone to bed, they will still be in a light stage of sleep which might be why their eyes are still open.
Other theories suggest dogs may sleep with their eyes open as a canine survival instinct, which has evolved from their ancestors in the wild. Dogs sleeping with their eyes open is a way for them to stay alert to any potential threats while actually asleep, as well as to deter predators with their open eyes.
However, in some cases, dogs sleeping with their eyes open may be due to a genetic or medical condition. Dogs with large eyes may not be able to fully close their eyes when asleep. Some dogs can also experience prolapse of their third eyelid, and if this is the case, the dog’s eyes are likely to be uncomfortable and may require treatment from a veterinarian. A very rare possibility is narcolepsy, which is a neurological disorder that affects your dog’s sleep and can appear like they’re sleeping with their eyes open.
If your dog is asleep with their eyes open, this could also be a sign of an epileptic seizure - but this would be accompanied by other symptoms. Dog parents can observe whether this is what’s happening by seeing if their dog’s body and face is tense, their jaws are tight, and they are whimpering or howling. Your dog’s eyes will be fully open, and may appear to flicker from side to side with a vacant expression as opposed to relaxed, and they won’t be able to respond or react to you saying their name. If this sounds like what happens with your dog, seek veterinary advice immediately.
It’s important to remain calm and quiet if your dog is having a seizure, while also noting the time to understand how long the episodes last. You can also lessen any stimulus affecting the situation, such as darkening the room and moving anything that could harm your dog out of the way. Padding the area surrounding your dog with cushions and blankets can help prevent injury if the seizure escalates. Dog parents should not touch or try to move their dog, as this may cause the dog to panic and creates a risk of aggressive behaviour such as biting, due to fear and state of altered consciousness.
Is it normal for dogs to sleep with their eyes open?
Generally, dogs sleep with their eyes closed, however, if it always appears like your dog sleeps with their eyes open, this may be due to their breed, genetics or natural instincts. This could also be the way your dog experiences REM sleep. As long as your dog seems otherwise healthy and happy, this behaviour isn’t cause for concern. However, if your dog has just started to sleep with their eyes partially or fully open if they have any other concerning signs or symptoms, or if it’s affecting your dog’s ability to get restful sleep, it may be best to consult a veterinarian. We discuss this further below.
Should dog parents be concerned if their dogs sleep with their eyes open?
As discussed, in most cases dogs sleeping with their eyes open is normal behaviour and not necessarily cause for concern. However, if the behaviour is accompanied by other symptoms or changes in behaviour, it may be that your dog has an underlying health issue that needs veterinary attention. We’ve listed some concerning signs below:
- If your dog shows signs of irritation or inflammation in their eyes, it may be that they have an eye infection or injury. You may notice that their eyes are red, cloudy or watery, they are squinting, or they have excessive eye discharge.
- If your dog seems to be disoriented when they wake up, for example if they have uncoordinated movements, it may be that they were having a seizure while asleep. Learn more about seizures in dogs.
- If your dog appears to be lethargic, less active than usual, or falling asleep in inappropriate places and or at inappropriate times, there may be an underlying health issue and you’ll need to seek veterinary advice.
As a dog parent, it’s normal to be concerned about some of your dog’s behaviours as we naturally want the best for them. Sometimes, dogs engage in unusual behaviours that are actually common and not cause for concern. However, it’s always best to consult a veterinarian if you’re worried about any changes in your dog’s behaviour. An important way to support your dog’s sleep is to provide high-quality nutrition with a complete and balanced diet. Pedigree® Wet Dog Food comes in a variety of flavours for your dog to enjoy, with specially-formulated ingredients to provide the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals your dog needs to thrive and to protect their overall health and well-being.
