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Dogs are known to be man’s best friend. We have so much in common including eyelashes. But, do dogs eyelashes grow back? Should you actually be trimming them? How long should a dog’s eyelashes be? What is the best way to trim your dog’s eyelashes?
In this article, we will be looking at some of these fundamental questions to help you with all your grooming struggles. We’ll also help you better understand why some dog breeds have longer eyelashes than others as well as why dogs really need eyelashes in the first place.
Let’s get to it.
Do Dogs Eyelashes Grow Back?
Some dogs may have longer eyelashes than others necessitating the need to trim them when they are being groomed. When Dogs’ eyelashes are trimmed they grow back and takes around a month or so for them to grow back to the full length they were before being trimmed.
Eyelashes in dogs are sensitive just like they are in humans. Eyelashes are tactile organs which means they are very sensitive to any particular touch. They help with preventing any sort of eye injury by alerting the eye to close whenever they perceive something as harmful to the eye or the eye area
It’s therefore important to note that trimming your dog eyelashes without understanding how important these organs are to them could end up leading to some serious injuries. A dog with no eyelashes may be unable to prevent an eye injury in good time.
Should Dogs Have Long Eyelashes?
A dog’s eyelashes are determined by the length of its fur. Most dogs have short eyelashes apart from a few breeds with longer eyelashes. Longer eyelashes will keep the strands away from the delicate surface of the dog’s eye.
Some of the breeds with longer eyelashes include the likes of large dogs such as the old English sheepdog and small dogs such as the Maltese. Other breeds with longer eyelashes include:
- Shih Tzus
- Cocker Spaniels
- Lhasa Apsos
- Poodles
- Yorkshire Terriers
Hairs around such dogs with longer eyelashes need to be regularly trimmed or style to prevent them from affecting your dog’s vision or causing discomfort and pain.
How to Trim Dog Eyelashes
Trimming of dog eyelashes can be quite a delicate exercise. Your dog will be very cautious due to how close to the eye you’ll be. They’ll also be cautious of the sharp blade being used to trim the eyelashes.
How do you ensure he is relaxed and won’t cause any trouble when trying to trim him?
First, you might need to get some treats that you’ll offer your dog throughout the trimming process. This will help take his attention from the sharp blades to the treats that he’ll be looking forward to enjoying throughout the session.
Secondly, you’ll want to ensure that the dog is acquainted with the look and sound of your scissors before you put them close to their eye area. This will help build trust with you as well as the objects (scissors & comb) in your hand.
Once you are done with the above two key steps you are now ready to start trimming your dog’s eyelashes. There are good pet grooming sets out there, but in this case, all you need is a scissor and a comb
To proceed with the trimming, hold your dog tightly with one arm, preferably on his head; if need be you can get assistance from your partner to prevent any sort of movement. You should then wipe your dog’s eyelashes with a wet piece of cloth, this will help in separating the eyelashes as well as wipe out any debris. Then using your eyelashes comb, gently pull the eyelashes forward, separate them then trim.
This process should be done very slowly to prevent plucking of the eyelashes. Repeat the process until you are satisfied with how the eyelashes are.
In case of any sort of movement from your dog, you should quickly pull away the scissors to prevent any sort of injury to your dog.
If you find the entire process being quite tedious, you should consider taking your furry little friend to your local grooming shop to have him trimmed from there. This will probably be a much better option for you.
What Happens When you Cut a Dog’s Eyelashes?
Should you cut your dog’s eyelashes in the first place? If you notice that the eyelashes are getting longer and could be obstructing your dog’s vision, it’s probably a good idea to trim them down.
Most dogs’ however, have very short eyelashes. There is, therefore, no need to trim them in such cases as they do serve a purpose in your dog’s life. They also help in preventing chances of your dog get any sort of eye injuries as they’ll trigger the closing of their eyes.
When you trim your dog’s eyelashes, especially those with short eyelashes, you are exposing them to potential eye injuries.
For those dog breeds with long eyelashes, trimming them will help with giving them better vision as well as prevent them from the discomfort associated with eyelashes once they enter the dog’s eye. You’ll also help keep them tidy and looking great.
Final Thoughts
Dog’s eyelashes play a crucial role in your four-legged friend’s life. They help prevent debris from getting to your dog’s eyes. They also help in preventing any sort of eye injury by alerting the eye to close whenever they perceive something as harmful to the eye area.
When trimming your dog’s eyelashes you need to be extremely careful to prevent any sort of harm. In case you feel uncomfortable doing this by yourself, you can seek assistance from a pet groomer or from your local vet.
When a dog’s eyelashes are trimmed they may take up to a month to grow back to their normal length before grooming. Trimming eyelashes aren’t recommended for dogs with short eyelashes as that could lead to serious eye injuries. For dogs with long eyelashes, it’s recommended to either style or trim them to prevent it from causing any sort of discorform to your dog.
Do you trim your dog’s eyelashes? Let us know in the comment section below how exactly you do it and how often.