Keeping the hair around your dog’s eyes neatly trimmed and clear offers important welfare, health, and behavioural benefits.

Health & Welfare Reasons

  • Prevent eye irritation: Stray hairs can rub against the eye, causing redness, tearing, and discomfort (Angell Animal Medical Centre, 2023).
  • Reduce infection risk: Hair can trap dirt, discharge, or moisture near the eyes, which may contribute to bacterial or fungal problems (AKC Canine Health Foundation, 2023).
  • Support vision: Overgrown hair can obscure your dog’s sight, making navigation more difficult (International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems, 1983).
  • Lower risk of injury: Continuous irritation from hair can scratch the cornea, which in some cases may lead to painful ulcers (Angell Animal Medical Centre, 2023).
  • Help vets spot problems early: Clear eyes make it easier for owners to notice changes and for veterinarians to check for potential issues such as conjunctivitis, cataracts, or glaucoma.

Behavioural Reasons

  • Confidence and awareness: Dogs feel more secure when they can clearly see their surroundings (Horwitz & Mills, 2009).
  • Better social interaction: Dogs rely on eye contact and facial cues to communicate with humans and other dogs (Overall, 2013).
  • Reduced anxiety: Blocked vision can make dogs startle more easily, increasing stress (Overall, 2013; International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems, 1983).
  • Training and bonding: Clear eyes allow for better eye contact, strengthening trust and responsiveness (Horwitz & Mills, 2009).
  • Calmer responses: Limited vision can make dogs uncertain or over-reactive. Clear vision helps them process the world more calmly (Overall, 2013).
  • Balanced senses: When eyesight is blocked, sensitive dogs often rely more heavily on hearing. This can increase startle responses and stress (Horwitz & Mills, 2009; PLOS ONE, 2024). Keeping vision clear helps dogs use both sight and hearing, supporting calmer behaviour.

Grooming Support

Trimming hair around the eyes should always be done by a professional groomer who is trained to safely manage this delicate area.

Some dogs with fear, anxiety, or handling sensitivity may require extra support during grooming. In these cases, collaboration between the groomer, a veterinarian, and trainers or behaviour consultants can help ensure the dog’s welfare and safety.

This is especially relevant because ocular injuries have been documented in association with grooming visits (American Animal Hospital Association, 2022). Veterinary input can guide supportive strategies to make grooming safer and more positive.

Veterinary Guidance

If your dog frequently has watery eyes, irritation, or difficulty seeing, seek veterinary advice. Eye issues can sometimes signal underlying health conditions that require professional treatment.

In short: Keeping the eye area free of hair supports your dog’s health, comfort, and behaviour, helping them feel safer, calmer, and more connected.

A Note for Owners

This article is for general welfare and educational purposes only. It is not intended as veterinary advice. If you notice irritation, discharge, changes in vision, or any concerns around your dog’s eyes, your veterinarian is the best person to help.

References

AKC Canine Health Foundation. (2023). Canine eye health. https://www.akcchf.org/disease-history/canine-eye-health/

American Animal Hospital Association. (2022). Ocular injuries related to grooming visits in dogs. Journal of the American Animal Hospital
Association. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36315866/

Angell Animal Medical Centre. (2023). Eyelash problems in dogs and cats (Trichiasis, Ectopic Cilia, Distichia).MSPCA-
Angell. https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/eyelash-problems-in-dogs-and-cats/

Horowitz, D. F., & Mills, D. S. (2009). BSAVA manual of canine and feline behavioural medicine (2nd ed.). BSAVA.

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems. (1983). Occlusion of vision in Old English Sheepdogs. International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems, 4(4), 299–305. https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/acwp_vsm/8/

Overall, K. L. (2013). Manual of clinical behavioural medicine for dogs and cats. Elsevier.

PLOS ONE. (2024). Dual sensory impairments in companion dogs: Prevalence and relationship to cognitive impairment. PLOS
ONE. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39413072/

Government of Ireland. (2013). Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Dublin: The Stationery Office. https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2013/act/15/enacted/en/html