Dog Goggles: Does Your Dog Need Them?

For the last few years, dog goggles have become more popular. You can see this canine eyewear at the dog park, on the trails, at the beach, and in backseats across the country. Some dog owners will not even allow their furry friend into the backyard without their sporty dog goggles or doggie sunglasses.

But are these quirky canine spectacles really useful, or are they more of a fashion statement? Can they protect your pup from UV damage? Ward off flying debris? Fight seasonal allergies?

In this BreezeGuard guide to doggie goggles, we’ll cover the facts and fiction of sunglasses and goggles for dogs.

Let’s not drag out the suspense: doggles aren’t mandatory
If you’ve noticed every dog in your pup’s pack suddenly running around with doggles, you might feel like you missed something important. Have you been harming your dog by not getting onboard with doggie goggles sooner?

The short answer is no. You don’t need to panic about not fitting your pup with doggles. In fact, there are only a few situations in which dog goggles are recommended for health reasons, and we’ll talk more about that in a moment.

But in general, the average happy, healthy doggo is just fine without dog goggles. That’s because unlike humans who may suffer from vision-related UV damage over their lifetime, the shortness of a normal dog lifespan doesn’t put them at the same risk for sun exposure. And, unless your dog has a health condition that is worsened by UV rays, you don’t have to worry about sunlight damaging their eyes.

How about eye strain as a result of bright sunlight? Well, even there, dogs pretty much have it covered. And we mean that literally. Given their special bone structure that shades their eyes from harsh sunlight, dogs are all set for sunny outdoor adventures.

That doesn’t mean that there are no advantages for doggie goggles. But if you’ve been worried about your dog suffering all this time because you didn’t know about doggles, you can rest easy.

The case for dog goggles
Okay, so we know that doggles aren’t crucial for a healthy pupper, but what exactly are the benefits of your dog rocking a cool pair of canine shades?

Here are a few reasons why you may want to measure your dog for a pair of doggie goggles:

#1: Tinted doggles may lower brightness discomfort
To be sure, dogs are genetically designed for outdoor adventure. But that doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t mind turning down the brightness dial a little bit. Dog goggles can help our furry friends enjoy the bright outdoors regardless of blinding fresh snow, white sandy beaches, or the glare that bounces up from the water when they’re looking for their favorite stick.

#2: Doggles can help protect your dog’s eye from debris
If you’ve got the kind of doggo who will jump face first into a thicket of brambles just for the fun of it, you can probably see the benefit of protective dog goggles.

It’s this advantage that explains why you’ll see so many working dogs with doggles. Brands like Rex Specs, for instance, are making doggles strong enough to protect dogs on rescue missions or working on the farm. These heavy-duty goggles are waterproof and virtually indestructible so that even the most active dogs will never have to worry about eye injuries.

Even if your pup isn’t herding sheep or leading rescue missions, dog goggles can still protect their eyes during everyday activities. If you have a dog that loves to feel the strong breeze of the open window in the car, doggles can help to lower the risk of eye damage from insects and other flying debris.

Remember that you can further lower the risk of car-related injuries by installing BreezeGuards. These window screens will allow your pup to enjoy all the sights and sounds of the open road, while keeping them safely inside the car.

#3: Some dogs and specific breeds need extra eye care
There are some puppers whose eyes are extra sensitive when it comes to light exposure, injury and flying debris. We’re talking about brachycephalic breeds, or breeds whose short noses have also given them some slightly protruding eyeballs.

Boxers, Shih Tzus, Pugs, and other so-called brachy breed dogs are at high risk for eye problems like ulcers, clinical Dry Eye, and scratches or cuts. A pair of well-fitting dog goggles can really provide a health benefit from these adorable doggos.

Aside from our short-nosed furry friends, dog goggles may also be able to reduce discomfort from seasonal allergies. Doggles won’t get rid of the problem, as much of your pup’s exposure to allergens is through their nose, but they can reduce allergy-related eye irritation.

#4: Post-surgery doggos can relax with doggles
Finally, you might find that a veterinarian will recommend dog goggles after an eye surgery. Having a tinted pair of dog goggles can lower discomfort during the healing process and prevent irritation.

If you’re gearing up for your pup to have eye surgery in the near future, you may want to get them accustomed to the doggles in preparation. Surgery can be disorienting to any pup, and they’ll appreciate the doggles more if they’re familiar with them already.

Are you sold on dog goggles?
As it turns out, outfitting your dog with dog goggles is, in most cases, a matter of choice.

If you feel that your pupper is happy without them, then you can continue roaming the great outdoors sans-doggles. Maybe just keep your dog away from extra prickly brambles and bushes.

Or, if you think that doggles can make your dog more comfortable as they swim and jump and dive through the bushes, then by all means, get your pup a pair! Just make sure that the goggles you buy for your dog are wide enough not to obstruct their vision and UV protective. You can also find a range of sizes, including small dog goggles, to ensure a good fit.

Now that you know all about dog goggles, you can make the choice for your furry friend! And, for more dog care questions, head over to the BreezeGuard Blog.