{"id":5388,"date":"2022-12-01T22:26:12","date_gmt":"2022-12-01T22:26:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/notabully.org\/?p=5388"},"modified":"2023-11-11T20:49:50","modified_gmt":"2023-11-11T20:49:50","slug":"do-dogs-look-at-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/notabully.org\/do-dogs-look-at-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Dogs Look At The Sun? (Do They Know Not To Stare?)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The short answer to the question “Do dogs look at the sun?” is yes, they do look at the sun. They have no problem seeing the sun, and by evidence of my chihuahua sunbathing in the sunshine as I am typing, they can definitely experience the warmth of the sunshine. Most humans know from experience exposure to sunlight can cause temporary or even permanent damage to our eyes, and dogs can experience the same consequences from looking at the sun.<\/span><\/p>\n

So if dogs can damage their eyes from sunlight, do they know not to look at the sun?<\/span><\/p>\n

Dogs can see and will look at the sun. However, even if they are not comprehending that the sun can cause eye damage, dogs will generally avoid looking at the bright sun. Just like humans, the glaring sunlight can hurt and damage their eyes, especially dogs with sensitive eyes or other preexisting conditions.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Dogs’ eyes see things differently than humans because of the anatomy of their eyes, but their corneas are as vulnerable to the sun as ours are. They can experience pain and even damage their corneas, and will learn to avoid looking at the sun if it causes discomfort. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, even if a dog learns to not look directly a the sun, some dogs are extra sensitive or prone to eye diseases. If your dog shows symptoms of sensitivity, you might have to be proactive and protect their eyes from the sun.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

A Dog’s Eyes<\/span><\/h2>\n

Dogs’ senses often help them experience the world differently than we do as humans. One of the most well-known examples is their sense of smell, which is theorized to be over\u00a0<\/span>10,000 times stronger<\/span><\/a> than the average human’s. This is probably why dogs can detect a scent weeks later and why <\/span>scent work is such a rewarding game for dogs<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Much like their noses, dogs’ eyes are different than humans. The biggest difference is the\u00a0<\/span>tapetum lucidum, which reflects light through the retina<\/span><\/a> and allows dogs to see better at night. They also have better peripheral vision because their eyes are more spread out on their heads. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, dog eyes and human eyes also share a lot of the same anatomy, including the pupil, retinas, sclera, iris, and lens. While the differences in dog eye anatomy allow them to see color differently and have better night and peripheral vision than humans, they have no problem looking at and seeing the sun.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since our eyes and dogs’ eyes have similarities in anatomy, it is not surprising that they can be damaged in similar ways. Dogs and people both have corneas and conjunctivas, which can be easily injured if not protected. The conjunctivas, which is part of the eyelid, can turn red or swollen from allergies or an eye infection. The dog’s corneas, like human corneas, can be easily scratched, or easily damaged by the sun’s harmful rays.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sensitivity To The Sun<\/span><\/h2>\n

Certain dogs are more sensitive to the\u00a0<\/span>harmful rays of the sun than others<\/span><\/a>. White dogs, short-hair dogs, and hairless dogs are usually the most sensitive, as their light-colored fur or thin fur makes it easier to get sunburned and they have an increased risk of skin cancer. The short-haired and light-colored dogs in this video would probably get sunburned easily if they were sun-bathing in direct sunlight outside rather than through a glass door.<\/span><\/p>\n