Originally from Canada, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband in New Zealand. So, dont be surprised if you have a very old Shih Tzu that they sleep all the time. Because these dogs are unresponsive during their epileptic fits, they will not be able to respond to you. Complete Guide On What Size Dog Crate You Should Get And Which Type Is Best? A dog peeing when walking is something that can leave dog owners baffled, wondering what is going on with the affected dog. But, while that is a problem for you, it isnt a problem for your pooch. They will also be unresponsive to your voice, which can make it seem like they are sleeping but with their eyes open. So, there is nothing to worry about most of the time although sometimes, but rarely, there can be an issue that you need to have checked out. This is because the dogs eyes have a third inner eyelid, called a nictitating membrane, that sits below their normal eyelid. A healthy dog should be sleeping between 12 and 14 hours a day, split between long sleep periods and short naps. Learn more. In some cases, their eyes are actually sending information to the brain, even though they are sleeping. If your dog is behaving as it normally would, chances are it is just sleeping, albeit in a slightly unsettling manner. Younger Dog Attacking Older Dog? "),d=t;a[0]in d||!d.execScript||d.execScript("var "+a[0]);for(var e;a.length&&(e=a.shift());)a.length||void 0===c?d[e]?d=d[e]:d=d[e]={}:d[e]=c};function v(b){var c=b.length;if(0. Having a seizure will probably cause them to lie down on the floor with eyes unfocused. Insomnia is the inability to sleep, despite the brain and body desperately needing to rest. It is not a good idea to wake a dog, especially if they have a nightmare. Once again, epileptic dogs are not asleep. Unlike other animals such as birds, dogs cant control this membrane separately, and it closes and opens automatically with their other eyelids. Eyes are often associated with a state of vigilance and therefore we say things like "I'll keep an eye open" to ensure we don't miss something, and then, on the other hand, we say "close your eyes and imagine" to depict a transition from awareness to an imaginary world. Stay on top of dog food recalls here >, Have a question? You can find our full affiliate policy here. So, yes, that is why you cant sneak past your pup when they are ostensibly sleeping. When your dog is awake, this membrane hangs out in the corner of their eye. Eyes play a very important role in our lives and the lives of our dogs. During a narcoleptic episode, many dogs will continue to have their eyes partially open. Not only is the behavior odd, but it can also be messy considering that you'll be cleaning up after your dog. In some cases though, the third eyelid may not retract as it should. Sleep apnea is another sleep condition you might know about from humans. Heres What to Do. Featured image credit: Wichatsurin, Shutterstock, Why Do Dogs Hate the Mailman? This can cause them to respond with uncharacteristic aggression. It is when the airways collapse for 10 to 20 seconds at a time while the dog is sleeping, leaving them unable to breathe. The treatment is usually to discover the underlying cause of the problem and treat that. If your dog demonstrates any of the previous symptoms, you need to call your veterinarian. I looked over at him and there he was snoring, but also staring at me!? However, there are certain times and instances when you should be a bit concerned about your dogs sleeping patterns whenever their eyes remain awake. As a result, you are likely looking at the nictitating membrane, not the eyeball, whenever your dogs peepers are just slightly open during sleep. ), 7 Things You Should Never Do To Your Shih Tzu, How do You Know If Your Shih Tzu Loves You (14 Clues). !b.a.length)for(a+="&ci="+encodeURIComponent(b.a[0]),d=1;d=a.length+e.length&&(a+=e)}b.i&&(e="&rd="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify(B())),131072>=a.length+e.length&&(a+=e),c=!0);C=a;if(c){d=b.h;b=b.j;var f;if(window.XMLHttpRequest)f=new XMLHttpRequest;else if(window.ActiveXObject)try{f=new ActiveXObject("Msxml2.XMLHTTP")}catch(r){try{f=new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP")}catch(D){}}f&&(f.open("POST",d+(-1==d.indexOf("?")?"? What Does It Mean When Old Dogs Start Coughing And Gagging? Whenever your dog opens its eyes, this third eyelid retracts into the eyes inner corner. Heres What To Do, Answered by Dr. Olivia Speight, BVSc MRCVS (Vet), Cat Vomit Colors: Identifying Colors & Meanings, Dog Breaks or Tears a Nail? While these are specific issues for these breeds of dog, for most pooches, sleeping with their eyes partially open is a result of natural evolution and doesnt do them any harm at all. Adult Shih Tzus sleep fewer hours, and senior Shih Tzus sleep for longer periods of time. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. For the most part, sleeping with their eyes open is normal for Shih Tzus. In both of these cases, you will want to take your Shih Tzu to the vet as soon as possible. Thanks for visiting ShihTzuIsland.com. While it can be disconcerting to see your dog sleeping with their eyes a little bit open, it is in fact very common and normal for dogs and nothing to worry about. Their eyes will typically be partway open. Though it is completely likely that a dog has a grand mal seizure, dogs can have petit mal seizures, or absent seizures. Fortunately, a dog eyes structure is very different from that of a human eye, allowing them to keep their eyes open for longer without any dryness or itchiness. While sleeping with eyes partially open isnt usually a sign of any particular sleeping problem or disorder in dogs, dogs do suffer from a variety of sleeping disorders. During absent seizures, your dog may drool, tremble, or lie on the floor. This could lead to the attacker moving on and looking for an easier meal. Their bodies might also twitch, but this is probably the result of a dream rather than anything dangerous. //]]>, If your Shih Tzu is anything like mine, they take naps regardless of the time of day. holds close to her heart. It even tricks some predators into thinking that the animal is awake, making the predator less likely to attack. Have you ever dealt with a pooch with sleep conditions or one that cant seem to full close their eyes while snoozing? Though most dogs who sleep with their eyes open are having a healthy and restful nights sleep, there are a few times when sleeping with their eyes open is a problem. Dogs do not normally sleep with their eyes open. Heres What to Do, Have a cat? Learn how your comment data is processed. In this way, humans are actually the minority. You will see links to products and companies I feel good about sharing with you. Just like in humans, these can be serious if left untreated. Dogs with epilepsy have regular seizures, which can either be big or small. Why Does My Dog Sleep With His Eyes Open? If you have ever noticed your dogs eyes open when they are sleeping, you were probably caught off guard. While your Shih Tzu certainly doesnt need to worry about being attacked in their sleep, the habit of sleeping with their eyes partway open is just imprinted on their DNA. Thanks for visiting ShihTzuIsland.com. 11 Signs Youre Obsessed With Your Shih Tzu, How to Save Money as a Shih Tzu Owner (13 Ways), 18 Human Foods That Are Toxic or Deadly for Shih Tzus, How to Make Your Shih Tzu Really Happy (15 Ways! Why Does My Dog Sleep With His Eyes Open? If they fail to get enough good quality sleep for a long period of time, it can result in a number of complications such as cognitive dysfunction and brain degeneration. Hepper.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Most people imagine seizures as being a grand event, complete with a lot of convulsive movements. This can be due to an eye injury, ocular pain, illness or possibly, a damaged nerve, explains veterinarian Betsy Brevitz in the book: "Hound Health Handbook: The Definitive Guide to Keeping Your Dog Happy.". (e in b)&&0=b[e].o&&a.height>=b[e].m)&&(b[e]={rw:a.width,rh:a.height,ow:a.naturalWidth,oh:a.naturalHeight})}return b}var C="";u("pagespeed.CriticalImages.getBeaconData",function(){return C});u("pagespeed.CriticalImages.Run",function(b,c,a,d,e,f){var r=new y(b,c,a,e,f);x=r;d&&w(function(){window.setTimeout(function(){A(r)},0)})});})();pagespeed.CriticalImages.Run('/mod_pagespeed_beacon','http://wassit.ma/storage/ndcqpt0f/cache/afldexth.php','82dtZm2p5Q',true,false,'flXzclWLUls'); When a dog awakens from sleep, the third eyelid should retract and go back to its normal "awake state" position, which is tucked out of sight in the dog's inner corner of the eye. There are a few signs that your dog may have an underlying condition causing them to sleep with their eyes open, such as narcolepsy or epilepsy. If your dog collapses on the ground, lies incredibly still, and enters into a twitching sequence, almost as if they are in a dream, during inappropriate moments, your dog may be narcoleptic. Part of that will depend on their activity levels and age. Discover several reasons. This is common among breeds with flat faces, such as pugs. Back in time, we used to think that a dog's wet nose was a sign of health, while a dry one was a sign of a sickly dog, but nowadays, we know better. Adults (1-year-old and older) 12-16 hours per day. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. The third eyelid is a protective film of tissue that naturally draws across the dog's eye when the dog is sleeping. When dogs lived in the wild, they had to worry about becoming prey for a larger animal that was looking for an easy meal.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'shihtzuisland_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',122,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shihtzuisland_com-medrectangle-4-0')}; By having their eyes partway open, they could fool the attacker into thinking they were awake. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. When it comes to dogs, good vision in their evolutionary past meant the difference between getting to eat a meal or starvation or becoming some other animal's lunch or surviving. In this article, we are going to help you determine whether or not it is a problem for your dog to sleep with its eyes open. If you have had any dog, you have likely seen them sleep with their eyes completely closed at least once. No doubt, you have noticed that your dogs eyes are only partially open and not fully open. It is either a natural result of their facial muscle development, or they are engaging their natural instincts for self-preservation and keeping an eye on what is happening in their surroundings. Heres What to Do (Vet Answer), 25 Hilariously Relatable German Shepherd Memes, How to Potty Train a Husky (8 Quick & Easy Steps), 8 Best Dog Foods for High Triglycerides in 2022 Reviews & Guide, The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database. This causes many owners to think that their dogs are asleep, even though their eyes are open. So, while they are sleeping and their eye is slightly opened, it is being protected, so they can snooze and relax and get into a deep sleep. If your dog has absolutely no other conditions and seems to appear really well-rested and content after sleeping with its eyes open, you have nothing to worry about. Nicole has a strong love for all animals and has experience caring for all types of dogs, from Yorkies to Great Danes. Poodles, Dachshunds, and Labradors can have the hereditary trait as well. It is certainly nothing to worry about. But these conditions are always accompanied by an array of other symptoms, more obvious and more disconcerting than the open eyes when seemingly in a state of sleep. Dogs that have been bred for short faces, such as pugs, English bulldogs, and shih tzus, often have a condition called lagophthalmos. This is a problem, as their activity levels can increase and become a danger. Narcolepsy is a typically inherited disorder, though not always. If your dogs eyes are completely open when sleeping there could be a couple of issues. Please try again. They simply cant control their facial muscles while sleeping, so they cant keep their eyes closed. For other medical conditions common among Labradors, check out our complete guide. That worked well for them out in the wild. Why Isnt My Puppy Eating and What Can I Do About It? It sits behind the outer eyelid and is designed to clean and protect the eyeball. This membrane slides closed when dogs close their eyes and is an extra mechanism for removing dust and debris from the eye. Myth vs Reality, 9 Natural Home Remedies for Dog Skin Allergies & Itching, My Dog Ate Chocolate! When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. It is very common for some dogs to sleep with their eyes partially open. You will see links to products and companies I feel good about sharing with you. Most dog owners will prefer to adapt their environment to suit their dogs condition, covering sharp corners and closing off staircases, minimizing the danger of pups hurting themselves if they suddenly fall over when falling asleep, and taking extra care when on the street. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Waking a dog can be disorienting for them, which can make them fearful, and so may cause them to respond aggressively. Dogs do suffer from a number of sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea. Because of this fact, it seems that all dogs can sleep with their eyes open, though not all actually do so. When Open Eyes While Sleeping Is A Problem, Final Thoughts: Dog Sleeping With Eyes Open. Before we drift into deep sleep, we close our eyelids (which are meant to protect our eyes) as sleeping with the eyes open could mean exposing them to the elements, causing dryness and potential damage to the cornea(which can progress to a condition known as exposure keratitis) but what about dogs? But it is just their brain activating their muscles in response to a dream. But, when they arent getting that sleep, or their sleep is not of good quality for some reason, they can develop a variety of sleep disorders. That is why we have to blink when we are awake and completely close our eyes when we are asleep and unable to blink. While it is common for your dog to occasionally have a vivid dream that causes them to twitch and growl in their sleep, this should not be something that happens all night or every night. This makes it completely possible for dogs to sleep with their eyes closed. As their heads are closer to the ground, dust and debris are more likely to make it into their eyes than they are human eyes. When dogs have these physically active dreams excessively during sleep, it is called REM behavior disorder. A medical condition will also impact their energy level and sleep patterns. Your dog may have a dangerous health condition that causes them to sleep with their eyes open or at least appear like they are sleeping with their eyes open. So it might be putting them on medication for joint pain and changing their bed to something more comfortable for their joints, or it could be giving them more exercise and making sure they spend less time alone. It is thought to be a self-defense mechanism, which allows them to keep an eye on their surroundings while sleeping and also to appear alert to predators. Seizures are more likely to occur while they are awake, especially shortly after waking up. They also often suffer from brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, which results in severe breathing problems, and often suffer eye infections due to their shallow eye sockets. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining.com blog. Basically, once the eyeball retracts into the orbit, it elicits the third eyelid to passively slide across the eye's surface, explains veterinary ophthalmologist Dr. Christine C. Lim,in the book "Small Animal Ophthalmic Atlas and Guide.". However, your dog will not be sleeping at all. The more exercise they get and the older or younger they are will play a big part in the number of hours of sleep they need. If they are having a vivid nightmare, they might also find it challenging to distinguish between dream and reality for a few seconds, so they might bite you, thinking you are something from their dream. Waking a dog (like waking a human) from a deep sleep can shock them and lead them to sense danger. Although we could not find any comprehensive studies about whether all dogs sleep with their eyes open, anecdotal experience seems to suggest otherwise. Assume those links are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission if you click and buy. Instead, they are rendered unresponsive because of their epileptic seizure. It also means that their eyes do not get dry or itchy. There are a couple of reasons for this behavior. If your dog seems to be sleeping normally and is well rested then there shouldnt be anything to worry about. If you are wondering why dogs sleep so much, read this. However, these illnesses are always accompanied by more serious and obvious symptoms, so your dog sleeping with their eyes open wont be the first thing that you notice. They wont even wake up with dry eyes thanks to a convenient inner eyelid that keeps them protected. In addition to this, parents of epileptic dogs will baby-proof their homes to minimize the likelihood of their pup hurting themselves during a seizure. In fact, even 20% of people sleep with their eyes at least partially open. When you see your dog lazing around in their bed (or on your couch) and breathing heavily, are they really sleeping?
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