Chihuahua eyes will typically be a dark brown or black with a reddish tint behind them, or might even have a ‘ruby’ overall look to them if there is enough tint. That said, they do come in different colors, and you will sometimes see green eyes on merle Chihuahuas and blue eyes definitely occur as well.
With blue, you won’t know for sure if the color will stay until the Chihuahua is about 16 weeks of age, but if it DOES then you’ve definitely got a Chihuahua with a rare set of peepers. Chihuahuas with blue eyes are very rare, with approximately 5% of the Chihuahua population having this recessive gene.
For the remainder of this article, we’ll talk about Chihuahuas eyes and conditions that can affect this breed. We’ve collected questions trending highly on the web this week, so read on for important information on your little one’s adorable eyes!
Table of Contents
- Do Chihuahua puppies’ eyes change color?
- What age do Chihuahua puppies open their eyes?
- How do you tell if a Chihuahua puppy’s eyes will stay blue?
- Are Chihuahuas prone to eye problems?
- What’s wrong with my Chihuahuas eyes?
- Why do Chihuahua eyes stick out?
- How do I clean my Chihuahuas eyes?
- Are Chihuahuas crossed eyed?
- Can Chihuahua’s eyes really pop out?
- Why do Chihuahua eyes pop out?
Do Chihuahua puppies’ eyes change color?
Yes, like many dogs, Chihuahua’s eyes typically start off blue, though they can be other colors such as green, brown, grey, or gold. They stay this ‘base color’ until around 3 to 4 weeks of age, when their ‘new’ coloration will start to come in.
Once they hit around 9 to 16 weeks of age, their permanent eye color will settle-in for good
As a result, be careful naming your puppy something like ‘ol’ blue eyes’ because you might be in for a big surprise!
What age do Chihuahua puppies open their eyes?
If your Chihuahua has just had a litter of puppies then you should keep a close eye on them around the 2-week mark. At this point, you’ll see their eyes starting to open and it’s absolutely adorable. From here on out, their eyes will undergo some changes, finally settling on their permanent color after no later than 16 weeks.
How do you tell if a Chihuahua puppy’s eyes will stay blue?
Around about 3 to 4 weeks of age, your puppy’s eyes will begin changing to their final color. It’s a very slow process, however, so you probably won’t be certain until somewhere between 9 and 12 weeks of age unless the change is pretty dramatic.
So, keep an eye on those eyes – pretty soon your Chi will have a nice, rich color to them, but expect them to be a bit on the pale side for a little while yet.
Are Chihuahuas prone to eye problems?
Yes, so when you choose your pup, make sure that you meet the parents and check out their health record. Chis can inherit a number of eye conditions, some of which can even cause blindness if your vet doesn’t catch them soon enough.
Regular vet visits for your Chihuahua are a good idea anyways, but this is an extra reason to make sure that you keep them going on like clockwork.
What’s wrong with my Chihuahuas eyes?
There are many eye diseases and conditions that can affect Chihuahuas, including the following:
- Glaucoma
- Chronic dry eyes
- Corneal ulcers
- Allergies
- Prone to eye infections
Watch your Chihuahua closely for any redness, irritation, or excess drainage and be sure to check with your vet if you see them. Chis can go blind if they have a genetic inclination in their family for it, and early detection is going to be your best defense for your little one.
Why do Chihuahua eyes stick out?
This is something that is inherent in the breed. Chihuahuas have eyes which are genetically inclined to be a little bit too big for their heads, giving them an almost cartoonish cuteness that you don’t see in many breeds.
This results in them sometimes just simply looking big, but in other cases the eyes seem to really bulge out, but there’s nothing wrong with your Chihuahua. That is just the norm for these cute little guys and gals!
How do I clean my Chihuahuas eyes?
The easiest way to clean your Chis eyes is to take a small container of warm water and some clean cotton balls, dabbing the cotton into the warm water and rubbing it gently underneath your Chihuahua’s eyes.
The warm water will loosen any discharge that has dried – just be patient and gentle with it- and if your Chi is a long-haired variety then this is also a good time to wash their muzzle with a mild baby shampoo such as Johnson and Johnson’s baby shampoo with some of that warm water and a clean cloth.
Are Chihuahuas crossed eyed?
While bulging eyes are normal with Chihuahuas, crossed eyes are less so and typically the result of genetics that produce weak muscles in the eyes, causing ‘travelling eye’ and similar conditions. Injury or problems with the inner ear can also cause this condition as well.
Your vet should be able to give you a little more insight on what is occurring specifically with your dog and if any further treatment will be required to prevent any possible complications in the future.
Can Chihuahua’s eyes really pop out?
This can and does sometimes happen, usually during rough play with another dog, and it is called proptosis. Chihuahuas and other brachycephalic (flat head) dogs such as Pugs, Pekinese, and Shih Tzus tend to have eye sockets that are shallower than most.
If this happens to your dog, call your vet immediately so that they can prepare for your dog’s arrival. In many cases the eye can be saved with surgery but you want to get your dog in right away!
Why do Chihuahua eyes pop out?
This happens because of the shallow eye sockets that occur with Brachycephalic breeds. Brachycephalic simply means ‘flat headed’ and many breeds fall into this category, with Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, Pekinese, Bulldogs, and Pugs being good examples.
As they are bred to have very distinctive skulls, in some cases a shallow eye socket can be a result of this, and so the eyes can actually pop out if enough force is exerted through play or even a collision with furniture running around the house.
While there is no preventative measure that you can take, if your dog’s eye pops out there is a possibility that it can be put back into place with surgery, so it is vital to get your dog into the vet as soon as possible if proptosis occurs.
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.
