Dogs are known for their warm, welcoming, protective, trusting, and loyal behavior.There are unknown facts about lovable and adorable dogs such as the fact a dog has a third eyelid. It might be astonishing for you to accept this, but your veterinary ophthalmologist must have acknowledged this during your dog’s visit to the vet.Dogs are known to be the best pets and most loved by their owners, but at the same time, their health must also be taken care of like they’re your own family member. You must be well acquainted with every problem a dog might face throughout its life. The dog’s third eyelid is actually a horizontally closing membrane called the nictitating membrane, whereas, humans have only two eyelids, the upper and lower eyelid.A dog has some natural habits that help it to survive in the wild, as well as in a domestic lifestyle. The third eyelid is known to protect the dog’s eyes from infection, for example, conjunctivitis. Many dogs are also known to suffer from eye infections, and the third eyelid works like a shield for the dog’s eye. The third eyelid is also known to produce dog tears, and the dog’s tear glands are attached to the base of the third eyelid.If you enjoy reading this article about the eyelids of dogs, then do read other surprising and interesting fun facts articles about how many legs do crabs have and how many legs do ants have.How many eyelids do dogs have?A dog has three eyelids, unlike humans who have two eyelids, the upper and lower eyelid. Cats are known to have three eyelids, as well.Dogs are blessed with three eyelids due to their different living environments, where they could contract eye infections. A dog has three eyelids, two of which are similar to those of humans. The dog’s third eyelid is a normal inner thin membrane that is found inside its other eyelids and closes horizontally from the inner corner of the eye. It is normally visible if you look into the eyes of your dog carefully when your dog is happy, and the dog’s third eyelid is also evident when your dog is half asleep or has just woken up after taking a nap.The color of a dog’s third eyelid may vary between a healthy and an unhealthy dog and between breeds, but all breeds of dogs have a third eyelid. The color might vary from pink to red, black to brown, and clear to cloudy in the inner corner of the eye. Dogs do have the capability of covering half of part of the eye with their third eyelid, which is a sign of a healthy body. The thin membrane inside your pet dog’s eyelids is called a nictitating membrane.Why do dogs have an inner eyelid or third eyelid?Dogs have an inner eyelid or third eyelid so that they can keep their eyes healthy and free from different infections which they could easily get from the wild.A dog is known to have a third eyelid, but you might wonder what the purpose of the third eyelid is. These third eyelids of dogs evolved according to their environment. Every creature on Earth has a certain way to survive in its environment. In the same way, even dogs have their own physical features that vary from place to place and breed to breed. Your pet dog’s third eyelid is easily visible if you look carefully in its eyes. Never forcefully open your pet dog’s eyelid as you might hurt it.All breeds of dogs have a third eyelid which plays a significant role in their lives. The third eyelid allows moisture from the environment to get in, while at the same time, keeps dirt out of their eyes. You are probably familiar with the feeling of having something in your eyes. You either wash off your face or rub your eyes. Dogs are known to have a third or inner eyelid which helps them to get rid of irritants naturally. It is completely normal for a dog to have an inner eyelid.What is the purpose of the third eyelid?The purpose or function of the third eyelid is to protect dogs from infections, help with tear production, and to moisturize eyes of the dogs.According to some canine researchers or a veterinarian like Michelle, a ghostwriter and wellness writer, the three eyelids of a dog can also save them from other animal attacks. The third eyelid is a windshield wiper for them to clear their eyes from dirt or small flying insects and to keep light out of the eyes. This eyelid is also responsible for the production of tears in a dog’s eyes, as the tear glands are attached to the base of each eye.The third eyelid and the tear gland are very important for dogs to fight different infections. The gland in the dog’s eye is generally known to produce antibodies, and fluid carries antibodies to the dog’s eye. Dust particles in the air and insects are discarded by those antibodies in the form of tears, naturally and with the help of the third eyelid.The third eyelid is also known to protect the cornea, the outer layer of the eye. The cornea is very important for the vision of a dog. It helps a dog seek prey in wild surroundings.What are some common problems with the third eyelid of a dog?The most common problems or symptoms of the third eyelid of a dog are swelling, inflammation, lumps, redness, and tears in excess. Apart from all these, eyelids might contract infections such as cherry eye, entropion, and ectropion, which would require a veterinarian for medical treatment.Entropion is a common problem with a dog’s eyelids, which means eyelids of dogs roll inward and cause excessive tearing or discharge, eye redness, and squinting. It may cause dry eye and a corneal ulcer in the dog’s eyelids. This needs immediate medical treatment and surgery for the good health of the dog. The same happens in cases of ectropion, which is exactly the opposite of entropion. It is less dangerous in comparison to entropion because it only causes swelling, inflammation, and pink eyes from conjunctivitis. In these cases, surgery is also done to correct the eyes.Blepharitis is another problem that a dog’s eyelids might suffer from. This is due to a variety of factors, including parasites such as ringworms, food allergies, and foreign objects in the environment. It will cause red and puffiness in the eyes. Discharge from the eyelids might also be evident in a few cases and needs a call to the vet for oral medication.If you have a dog as a pet, you might notice a sign of a color change from the corner to the upper and lower eyelids. Never ignore dark marks around each eye as your pet ages, and if discoloration is seen with age, a veterinarian’s recommendation is a must.Cherry eye means a prolapsed third eyelid. A dog might face the problem of a prolapsed third eyelid, which causes redness and swelling in the corner of the eye. This is more common among young dogs. Surgery is required to heal the animal, and the best person to do so is a veterinary ophthalmologist.You should never use any soap or chemicals in your dog’s eyes or around the eyes of your pet. If you notice any of these common problems, you need to make a call to your vet. A vet is the only person who can heal your pet dog. It is advised to wipe the eyes of dogs as a few breeds of dog are more prone to allergies.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for how many eyelids do dogs have, then why not take a look at how many teeth do sharks have, or how many teeth do snails have?
Dogs are known for their warm, welcoming, protective, trusting, and loyal behavior.
