When Do Puppies' Eyes Change Color? Find Out Now
Puppies are born with their eyes closed and usually have blue or grayish-blue eyes when they open them for the first time at about two weeks of age. This initial blue shade is common except in cases like albino dogs, whose eyes may appear white, red, or pink due to the absence of melanin and the visibility of blood vessels.
The distinctive blue eye colour in puppies is not a true colour but caused by light reflecting inside their unpigmented irises. Melanin, the pigment responsible for eye colouration like brown, amber, or green, begins to develop at around 3 to 4 weeks of age. As melanin production increases, the puppy’s eye colour gradually shifts until it reaches its permanent adult hue.
Why Do Puppies Have Blue Eyes at Birth?
Blue eyes in newborn puppies result from the lack of melanin in their irises. Melanin develops slowly over several weeks and controls the eventual adult eye pigment. The more melanin produced, the darker the eye colour, with brown being the most widespread among adult dogs. Breeds like the Siberian husky puppies often retain blue eyes through adulthood, showing an exceptional pattern.
Albino dogs are an important exception, with their eyes appearing pale due to the absence of melanin, which allows blood vessel visibility and causes the striking red or pink appearance.
When Does Puppy Eye Colour Change?
Your puppy’s eye colour will begin to change around three to four weeks of age, coinciding with melanin pigment production in the iris. This transformation isn’t immediate but gradual, with visible colour flecks emerging and intensifying over time.
By nine to twelve weeks, most puppies will have their adult eye colour established, although in some cases, this process can extend up to 16 weeks. By around four months old (16 weeks), the eye colour is generally permanent and will not change significantly beyond this point.
It’s also quite normal for some dogs to have unique eye colour patterns, such as heterochromia—where each eye is a different colour—or eyes exhibiting multiple tones or flecks.
Monitoring Your Dog’s Eye Health
While eye colour changes are natural during puppy development, any changes in eye colour after adulthood—like cloudiness, pale appearance, or unusual hues—can be a sign of health issues that require veterinary attention.
Getting to know your dog’s normal eye colour and appearance early on, and taking photographs at about one year old, can help you detect potential problems as your dog ages.
Summary of Puppy Eye Colour Development
- Puppies open their eyes at around two weeks, revealing blue or grayish-blue eyes.
- Eye colour starts shifting with melanin development from 3 to 4 weeks.
- Adult eye colour usually settles by 9 to 12 weeks, possibly up to 16 weeks.
- By about 4 months, eye colour is permanent and unlikely to change.
- Certain breeds may retain blue eyes or have unique colour patterns.
- Changes after adulthood could signal health issues requiring vet advice.
Understanding these stages helps you appreciate your puppy’s growing personality and physical changes. Remember, whether your puppy will have deep brown eyes or vibrant blue depends largely on genetics and breed.
