Chihuahuas are one of the smallest dog breeds in the world, so their puppies are absolutely tiny! Newborn Chihuahuas can fit in the palm of an adult hand!

When they’re born, Chihuahua puppies have their eyes closed and they can’t see or hear! So, when do chihuahua puppies open their eyes? We’ll answer this question and break down everything you need to know in this article. 

When Do Chihuahua Puppies Open Their Eyes?

Just like other dog breeds, when Chihuahua puppies are born they are blind and deaf. Over the coming weeks, they grow and develop their senses so they can learn about the world around them.

When Do Chihuahua Puppies Open Their Eyes

They will start to open their eyes when they are between 10 and 14 days old. This can vary depending on the puppy, even within the same litter. 

Some puppies will open both eyes at once while others might open one eye first and the other will follow later. 

All puppies should have their eyes open by 21 days old. 

Why Are Chihuahua Puppies Born With Their Eyes Closed?

It might seem a bit odd at first that puppies are born with their eyes closed, but it actually makes a lot of sense! When they’re first born, their eyes and the nerves within their eyes aren’t fully developed. Their little eyelids stay closed to protect their eyes while they develop further. 

Keeping their eyes closed protects them from light, scratches, debris, and dust. Once they’re developed enough and it’s safe to do so, their eyes start to open. 

What Happens When a Chihuahua Puppy Opens Its Eyes?

When your puppy first opens their eyes, they won’t have clear vision. Once their eyes open, they will continue to develop over the next few weeks. 

You might see the puppies starting to move around more and explore the world around them now that they can see!

Once they reach eight weeks old, their eyesight should be fully developed so they can see the world clearly. 

You don’t need to do anything about their eyes opening – everything should happen naturally. However, if you notice anything you are concerned about you should check in with a vet. 

What Can They See When They Open Their Eyes?

When they first open their eyes their vision will be blurry and they will only be able to see things that are very up close, for example, their litter mates, their mother, and you!

At this early stage, their eyes can still be sensitive to bright lights so you should try to avoid any bright, artificial light or direct sunlight in the first few weeks. 

As their eyesight develops over the coming weeks, they will gradually be able to see things more clearly, and be able to see things that are further away! 

What If They Don’t Open Their Eyes When Expected?

If a Chihuahua puppy doesn’t open its eyes in the first couple of weeks, give it a little bit more time. Some puppies develop more slowly than others but they will likely open their eyes when they’re ready. 

When Do Chihuahua Puppies Open Their Eyes

You should never force their eyes open or try to ‘encourage’ them to open their eyes in any way. Their small eyes are incredibly delicate and could easily be hurt, even if you mean well. If you open their eyes before they’re developed enough to cope, you could cause serious damage, infection, and even blindness. 

If they don’t begin to open their eyes by 20 to 21 days old, it’s time to take them to the vet. The vet will do an examination to determine if there is a birth defect or other health issue that is preventing your puppy from opening its eyes. 

Don’t panic – a lot of the time it’s a simple problem or something that can be treated. 

Often it can be the birth fluids that have crusted over, making it hard for the puppy to open its eyes. It’s always best to let the vet deal with this by gently cleaning their eyes, as you don’t want to risk damaging them. Even if there is a more serious problem, the vet will be able to advise you on what comes next.

Chihuahua Vision Facts

Below are some interesting facts about a Chihuahua’s eyes: 

  • Puppies are often born with blue eyes but their eye color can change over the first few weeks of their life!
  • All dog breeds are born with their eyes closed, not just Chihuahuas.
  • Puppies can see in color once their eyes are developed, but they can’t see as wide a range of colors as humans can. 
  • Dogs see better in the dark than we do because they have more light-sensitive rods in their eyes than humans. 
  • A Chihuahua’s eyes are better at detecting movement rather than small details.
  • Chihuahuas have very prominent eyes, which means their eyes really ‘stand out’ in their little heads. 
  • Even if a Chihuahua is born blind or goes blind due to health issues, they can still live a full life with the right help!

Chihuahua Puppies Take Their Time to Open Their Eyes

Chihuahua puppies are born blind and deaf so they’re very vulnerable at first. After the first couple of weeks, their eyes should open. 

Their eyesight will develop gradually until they can see clearly at around eight weeks old. 

Let your puppies’ eyes develop at their own pace and don’t try to rush it. If you’re concerned, have a chat with your vet. 

FAQs

How many puppies do Chihuahuas have?

Chihuahuas tend to have between two and four puppies in a litter. 

What happens if a Chihuahua is blind?

Most blind dogs can live a happy life and use their other senses to get around. They might need some additional help and veterinary care, but overall they can still thrive!