What does a blue light do for dogs?

What you need to know about dogs with blue eyes

Here are the facts behind blue eyes in dogs, a rarity that comes with some health risks

By Debbie Clason July 26, 2022
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Blue-eyed dogs are striking, mostly because they are such an unusual sight. After all, even though all puppies are born with blue eyes, 95% of them will change color within the first eight to 10 weeks of life. And while there’s almost nothing sweeter than staring into the brown eyes of an adoring pet, those with blue eyes are, well, a sight to behold.

Contents

Dog breeds that naturally have blue eyes
Why do some dogs have blue eyes?
Do dogs with blue eyes have health problems?

If you’re lucky enough to own a dog with blue eyes, congratulations. If, like the rest of us, you’re just curious about what causes that beautiful abnormality, read on. We’ll share which dog breeds naturally have blue eyes, why that occurs, and if blue-eyed dogs are at risk for health problems as a result.

Dog breeds that naturally have blue eyes

No doubt about it, dogs with blue eyes belong to a unique club. Scientists say only 5% of dogs have the blue-eye variant as part of their DNA. The blue-eyed trait is recessive and most often related to coat color, specifically in those with merle (mottled patches of color) or piebald (white coat with spots of color).

Why do some dogs have blue eyes?

It’s all about the melanin, or the pigment in the iris, that makes up the colored part of the eye. Brown eyes, which are the most common color, have brown pigment in both the front and back layers of the iris. Blue eyes have a small amount of melanin (or none at all) in the front layer and a small amount in the back. The dog’s DNA is the key to how much melanin is produced.

Scientists are still studying the phenomenon. While previous studies indicate that genes that determine coat color play a major role in determining a dog’s eye color, a recent study discovered that another gene important in eye development might also play a role.

Do dogs with blue eyes have health problems?

Pigment isn’t just about color; it’s also a critical element in the development of sight and hearing in our canine friends. And while not all blue-eyed dogs will have problems with their sight or hearing, some are at greater risk for certain conditions.

Cochleosaccular deafness is a hereditary condition linked to pigment in a dog’s coat and eyes. It’s more prevalent in white dogs with blue eyes and usually appears within 1 to 3 weeks of age in one or both ears.

Merle ocular dysgenesis occurs when two merle-coated dogs have puppies. Common vision problems for the offspring include smaller eyes, off-center pupils, light sensitivity, general impaired vision, and a greater risk for developing cataracts.

Albinism occurs when a dog can’t produce sufficient melanin and is completely devoid of color. This rare condition can cause smaller eyes, eyes sensitive to light, and deformities in the lens or iris that can cause poor vision or complete blindness.

If your brown-eyed adult dog’s eyes change color, it may be a signal of eye disease or the aging process:

Interstitial keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea that can display as a bluish-white film over the eye.
Cataracts, often a sign of aging, cast a cloudy and often bluish look to the eye.
Glaucoma, a disease of the optic nerve, can also give a bluish tint to the eye.

Any change in your dog’s vision should be reported to your veterinarian immediately. Most eye diseases can be treated, with a better prognosis occurring in those that are detected early.

So, as you can see, there’s more to a blue-eyed dog than (has to be said) meets the eye. Regardless of their color, the expression in your dog’s eyes is a great way to know what he’s thinking. Round eyes that show a lot of white indicate your pup is tense. Dilated pupils may be a sign of fear — or excitement. And when your dog is relaxed, he may even look like he’s squinting.

Here’s another fun fact about dog eyes you might like to know. Making eye contact with your dog, even for a few minutes, triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with empathy, trust, and relationship building. A 2015 study by researchers at Azabu University in Sagamihara, Japan, suggests that dogs experience a 130% increase in oxytocin after making eye contact with their owners, while their owners experience 300%. What does that mean? Brown, blue, gray, or green, looking into a dog’s eyes is a mutually beneficial way to strengthen the bond between you and your best friend.

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Are LED Lights Safe for Dogs: Find Out Here

LED lights are a great way to add color to your home. If you have dogs, however, you may wonder: Are LED lights safe for dogs?

We want to ensure you protect your dogs from the harmful effects of LED lights. This article will help you learn more about these lights and how they affect your dog’s health and behavior.

Are LED Strips Safe for Dogs?

LED strips are safe for your dog if you use them in moderation. However, a few things to consider if you plan on using them in your home.

Quality LED lights don’t emit any UV rays or infrared radiation that could harm your dog’s eyesight or skin. Still, they can cause eye irritation if it’s bright enough in your home to see them from a distance.

Another concern you must be aware of is if your dog accidentally swallows these LED lights. This can lead to accidental ingestion of the strip, which may cause vomiting or diarrhea. If your dog eats a small piece of plastic from LED strip lights, this could be even more hazardous if a sharp edge gets lodged in its digestive tract or throat.

It’s best not to leave these lights unattended with your dog alone in a room where he could chew them up, especially if he has a history of chewing things.

Finally, suppose that one of these connectors or wires is damaged or loose. In that case, there’s a chance that your dog might be able to chew through them and get hurt by the electrical current flowing through them. However, this is a minimal possibility as long as you keep an eye on your dog while they’re playing around with your light strip.

Can LED Strips Damage Dogs Eyes?

Close-up image of dog’s eyes

The short answer is no; LED strip lights aren’t dangerous to dogs’ eyes. They don’t produce heat, and they don’t emit harmful UV rays as incandescent bulbs do.

However, there are a few things to consider as well.

The most common concern with light-emitting diode lights is their potential to cause seizures in epileptic dogs. This is because dogs can detect tiny flickers of light that we cannot see vividly as humans can. Many dogs that suffer from epilepsy are sensitive to flashing or flickering lights, which can trigger a seizure episode.

You must avoid buying artificial lighting that is low-quality and substandard. Your fluffy friend is less likely to suffer from distress from flickering with a good quality light bulb or gentle shade in your home.

Another potential health concern of LED lighting is its impact on sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. As humans, dogs have a circadian rhythm that determines their sleeping and waking patterns. Blue-spectrum light (used in most LEDs) has disrupted melatonin production, affecting their circadian rhythm. So make sure to choose the right color of LEDs when you have your fluffy friend around your home.

What Colors of LED Strips Can Affect Dogs Behavior?

The color of the lights you choose can affect your dog in several ways.

One thing that we know for sure is that blue light is terrible for your dog’s sleeping cycle. Blue light is an intense color on the color spectrum and can stimulate your dog at night.

Red light is a soft color that can help reduce anxiety in dogs. Red light has a low energy level and is the easiest color to filter out with the dog’s eye lens.

White light is neutral and will not have any effect on your pet’s behavior at all. So if you’re looking for something that doesn’t affect your pet’s behavior, white is a good choice.

What Color Light Helps Dogs Sleep

Puppy sleeping on a bed

Dogs also need rest and will sleep less if they are awake by artificial light.

Blue light is the worst for keeping dogs from sleeping at night because it mimics daylight and can interfere with their circadian rhythm. This internal clock helps them regulate functions like sleep and wake cycles. On the other hand, red light is easier on their eyes and doesn’t disrupt their sleep patterns as much.

To help your pup get the rest he needs, it’s essential to understand how light affects him. Light is a powerful stimulant for dogs, so too much exposure can keep them awake at night. The right amount of light can help your pup fall asleep and stay asleep.

Are Colored LED Lights Bad for Dogs?

The short answer is no – LED lights are not bad for dogs, but not all LED lights are the same.

However, the color of the LED strip lights has different effects on your dog. Dogs are most likely to be kept awake by blue light at night because it mimics daylight and can disrupt their circadian rhythm. On the other hand, red light is easier on their eyes and doesn’t disrupt their sleep patterns as much.

FAQs

Are Blue Led Lights Bad for Dogs?

The blue light will not harm your dog but may hurt your dog’s sleeping schedule. Blue light is the worst for keeping dogs awake at night because it mimics daylight and can interfere with their circadian rhythm.

Are Red Led Lights Bad for Dogs

Red light is not bad for dogs, and it may be beneficial. Red light reduces anxiety in dogs by providing a calming effect. This would benefit dogs suffering from separation anxiety or other anxiety disorders when left alone.

Do LED Lights Mess With Dogs Eyes?

We believe there is insufficient evidence to suggest that LED lights hurt dogs’ eyes. Because of this, we do not advise pet owners to keep them away from their dogs, but it would be wise to switch to warmer tinted LEDs. If you already have cheaper LED bulbs in your home, changing them to a cool red or orange color may benefit your dog.

Summary

LED strip lights aren’t going away soon, and they will likely become more common in homes as time goes on. And the good news is that LED strip lights will not harm your dog, but it’s best to use them in moderation.

We hope this article was helpful and if you have any questions about LED strip lights, feel free to contact us or leave a comment below.