If you’re anything like me, sunglasses are a necessary part of your life. Whether it’s to shade me from the blazing summer sun or to stop the snow from blinding me, I couldn’t make it through the day without my trusty sunglasses. But what about our dogs? They experience the same elements that we do. Should they be wearing sunglasses?
The main reason why we humans wear sunglasses is to reduce the amount of ultraviolet (UV) light our eyes are exposed to each day.
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Not only can ultraviolet light be uncomfortable for our eyes, prolonged exposure to UV light can lead to age-related cataract. Since dogs have a shorter lifespan, they don’t need to worry about their eyes developing UV light-related damage. Does that mean sunglasses are useless for dogs? Not quite.
Just because dogs don’t deal with the long-term effects of UV exposure doesn’t mean that their eyes are free from sun exposure related problems. Dogs still get cataracts, Pannus, and other eye issues, and some breeds, like Shepherds and Pugs, are more included to develop eye problems. For these dogs, sunglasses can help protect their eyes and make their vision a bit clearer.
Even if your dog has perfect vision, there are some situations where sunglasses could be beneficial. For dogs that can’t be in a car without having their head stuck out the window, the chance of eye damage due to wind and flying debris is high. Throw on a pair of properly fitting doggy sunglasses and your pooch’s eyes are protected from the elements.
If you do decide that your dog could use their own pair of sunglasses, the biggest name on the market is Doggles. These dog-specific sunglasses offer UV protection, anti-fog, and shatterproof lenses, with a snug fit.
It may take some time for your dog to get used to wearing them, but eventually they will become part of the regular routine for getting ready to go outside. If the benefit of eye protection isn’t enough to convince your buddy to wear them, just remind them that they’ll be the coolest dog anywhere they go.
