When Do Puppies Open Their Eyes and Ears?

Name: When Do Puppies Open Their Eyes and Ears?
Creator: Dr. Zubair Khalid

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-10-03

Puppies are born with their eyes and ear canals closed. Most puppies begin to open their eyes at about 10 to 14 days after birth, and the ear canals typically open around the same time. Full vision and hearing take a few more weeks to develop.

This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Quick Answer

Puppies are born with eyelids sealed shut and ear canals closed.
Eyes usually start to open between 10 and 14 days of age, and both eyes may not open on the same day.
Ear canals generally open between 12 and 14 days, close to the same window as the eyes.
Vision and hearing are still immature at first. Puppies need several more weeks before they see and hear clearly.
Never force an eyelid or ear canal open, and never pull dried discharge away from a closed eye. Call your veterinarian if you see swelling, pus, or a bulging eye.

The Normal Timeline for Puppy Eyes and Ears

When do dogs open their eyes after birth?

A newborn puppy's eyelids are fused closed. This protects the developing eye while it finishes forming. The upper and lower eyelids are thin folds of skin that cover the eye and blink reflexively to protect it, and blinking also spreads tears to keep the surface moist and clear away small particles [1]. In the first days of life, that protective job is handled by the closed lids.

Most puppies begin to crack their eyelids open at 10 to 14 days of age. The process is gradual. You may first see a thin dark line at the inner corner, then a slit, then a fully open eye over the next day or two. One eye often opens before the other, and that is normal.

How long do puppies take to open their eyes fully?

The eyelids usually finish opening by about two weeks of age. The eyes may still look cloudy or bluish gray at first. That haze is normal and clears over the following weeks as the cornea and lens mature. By roughly four weeks, most puppies are tracking movement and reacting to light and shapes.

When do dogs open their ears?

The ear canals are also closed at birth. They typically open between 12 and 14 days of age, right around the same time as the eyes. Before that, a puppy cannot hear you, no matter how loud the noise. Once the canals open, hearing develops quickly. By three to four weeks, puppies startle at sounds and turn toward voices.

Ear problems are common in dogs, and veterinarians check a dog's ears as part of a routine exam [2]. That is one reason your puppy's first veterinary visits matter even before the ears are fully open.

What age do puppies open their eyes compared with other milestones?

Age	What is happening
Birth to 7 days	Eyes and ear canals closed. Puppy sleeps, eats, and stays close to mom.
10 to 14 days	Eyelids begin to open. Ear canals begin to open.
2 to 3 weeks	Eyes mostly open, ears open. Puppy starts reacting to light and sound.
3 to 4 weeks	Vision and hearing improve. Puppy begins to stand, walk, and explore.
4 to 6 weeks	Play, social learning, and weaning begin.
6 to 8 weeks	Most puppies go to new homes. First vaccines and deworming are underway.

This timeline is a general guide. Small breed puppies may open their eyes a day or two earlier or later than large breed puppies. A day or two of variation is rarely a problem.

Practical Step-by-Step Guidance for the First Two Weeks

Step 1: Keep the area clean and dry

Wipe the outside of the face with a warm, damp cotton ball if there is dried milk or debris. Do not scrub the eyelid. Do not use soap, human eye drops, or any product not approved by your veterinarian.

Step 2: Watch, do not touch

Check the eyes once or twice a day from a short distance. Look for a thin line forming at the lid margin. That is the first sign the eye is opening. If you see it, you do not need to do anything. The lid will open on its own.

Step 3: Dim the lights

A puppy's eyes are sensitive when they first open. Keep the whelping box out of direct sunlight and avoid bright overhead lights pointed at the puppies. Soft, indirect light is easier on new eyes.

Step 4: Keep the environment quiet

Once the ear canals open, sudden loud noises can startle puppies. Keep the room calm and avoid slamming doors or running loud appliances right next to the box. Normal household sounds are fine and help puppies adjust.

Step 5: Handle gently and briefly

Short, calm handling sessions help puppies get used to touch. Support the whole body. Never squeeze the head or press near the eyes and ears.

Step 6: Track the dates

Write down the day each puppy's eyes and ears open. If a puppy is still fully closed at 16 days, call your veterinarian. That is outside the usual window and deserves a check.

What You Should Not Do

Do not pry an eyelid open with your fingers, a cotton swab, or anything else. You can scratch the cornea and cause permanent damage.
Do not flush the eye with tap water or human saline.
Do not pull crusts off a closed or partly open eye. Soak them gently with a warm damp cloth and let them loosen.
Do not use leftover eye medication from another pet.
Do not assume a cloudy eye is always normal. Some cloudiness is expected in the first weeks, but a white, yellow, or green discharge is not.

If you notice your puppy pawing at the face, squinting, or rubbing the eye, that can be an early sign of irritation or infection. The same applies to scratching at the ears. For more on those behaviors, see Dog Scratching Ears And Eyes and What Does It Mean When Your Dog Scratches Their Ears.

Signs That Something Is Wrong

Most puppies open their eyes and ears without any trouble. When problems happen, they tend to show up in a few specific ways.

Eye red flags

Swelling of the eyelids or the tissue around the eye
A bulging or protruding eye
Thick yellow or green discharge
A cloudy or white spot on the surface of the eye
The third eyelid staying up over the eye. This membrane is whitish pink and sits under the lower lid at the inner corner near the nose. It slides across the eye to protect it from scratches or in response to inflammation [1]. If it stays visible, something is irritating the eye.
One eye opens and the other stays sealed well past two weeks
The puppy cries, pulls away, or rubs at the face

Any of these can point to infection, injury, or a congenital problem. Eye conditions in dogs include many of the same problems people have, such as cataracts and glaucoma, and good eye care protects sight and comfort [1]. Early treatment matters because a puppy's visual system is still developing.

Ear red flags

Swelling, redness, or warmth of the ear flap
A bad smell from the ear
Discharge, crusting, or dark debris inside the canal
The puppy tilting or shaking its head repeatedly
Whining when the ear is touched

Ear infections and other ear problems are common in dogs, which is why veterinarians examine the ears at routine visits [2]. A puppy with a closed canal and a swollen ear needs to be seen promptly.

If you are seeing redness or irritation around the eyes, Why Are My Dog's Eyes Red? walks through common causes. For discharge specifically, Eye Goop In Dogs explains what is normal and what is not.

Common Mistakes Owners Make

Forcing the eyes open

This is the most dangerous mistake. The eyelids are fused for a reason. Pulling them apart can tear tissue and damage the cornea.

Confusing normal cloudiness with disease

Newly opened eyes often look hazy or blue gray. That usually clears on its own. A cloudy eye that also has discharge, swelling, or a visible white spot is different and needs a veterinarian.

Cleaning too aggressively

Rubbing the eye area with a dry cloth can scratch the surface. Use a warm damp cloth and light pressure, and only on the outside of the lids.

Missing the ear timeline

Owners often focus on the eyes and forget the ears. If a puppy is still not responding to sound by three weeks, mention it at the next visit.

Skipping early veterinary visits

Puppies need a health check in the first weeks. Your veterinarian can spot problems with the eyes, ears, and overall development before you would notice them at home.

Using the wrong products

Human eye drops, ear cleaners, and home remedies are not made for puppies. Some contain ingredients that irritate or harm developing tissue. Ask your veterinarian before putting anything in or near a puppy's eyes or ears.

Supplies and Setup That Matter for Health

A few simple items make the first month easier and safer.

A clean whelping box with soft, washable bedding. Change soiled bedding daily.
A warm, damp cloth or cotton balls for gentle face cleaning.
A small notebook or phone note to record the day each puppy's eyes and ears open, plus weights.
A scale that measures in small increments so you can track weight gain.
A quiet room away from direct sun and loud noise.
A list of your veterinarian's phone number and after-hours emergency contact.

Keep the box temperature steady. Newborn puppies cannot regulate their body temperature well, and chilling makes every health problem worse. If a puppy feels cool to the touch or is not gaining weight, call your veterinarian.

Nutrition matters too as puppies grow. If you are unsure how long to feed puppy food, How Long Should Dog Eat Puppy Food covers the transition to adult food.

Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian

This article gives general timelines. Every puppy is an individual, and a veterinarian needs to examine your puppy to judge its specific situation.

Call your veterinarian the same day if you see:

Eyelid swelling, a bulging eye, or thick yellow or green discharge
A cloudy or white spot on the eye surface
One eye still sealed shut at 16 days or later
Ear swelling, bad smell, or discharge
Head tilting, head shaking, or pawing at the ears
The puppy crying when the face or ears are touched

Go to an emergency clinic right away if:

The eye looks like it is popping out of the socket
There is bleeding from the eye or ear
The puppy is limp, unresponsive, or not nursing
The puppy has a seizure or sudden collapse

Schedule a routine visit if:

Both eyes or both ear canals are still closed at 16 days
The puppy does not react to sound by three weeks
The puppy does not track movement by four weeks
You are unsure whether what you are seeing is normal

Do not wait to see if a problem resolves on its own. Young puppies can decline quickly, and early treatment gives the best chance of normal vision and hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I help my puppy's eyes open faster?

No, and you should not try. The eyelids open on their own schedule, and forcing them can tear the lid or scratch the cornea. Keep the face clean and let nature take its course.

Why is my puppy's eye cloudy after it opens?

A mild haze is common in the first weeks and usually clears as the eye matures. Cloudiness with discharge, swelling, or a white spot is not normal and needs a veterinary exam.

Do all puppies open their eyes at the same age?

Most open their eyes within a similar window, but there is normal variation between litters and between puppies in the same litter. One eye may open a day or two before the other.

Should I clean my puppy's ears once they open?

Only clean what you can see on the outer ear flap with a soft damp cloth. Do not push anything into the canal. Your veterinarian can show you a safe cleaning routine at your puppy's first visit.

What if one puppy in the litter is behind the others?

A slight delay can be normal, especially in smaller puppies. If a puppy is still fully closed at 16 days, is not gaining weight, or seems weak, call your veterinarian for an exam.

References

Eye Structure and Function in Dogs - Dog Owners. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Ear Structure and Function in Dogs - Dog Owners. Merck Veterinary Manual.