Quick Answer: Yes, dogs can sleep with their eyes partially open. You may notice a small part of the eye or the third eyelid showing, especially while your dog is deeply relaxed or dreaming. Usually, this is harmless. The important warning sign is when your dog cannot fully close or blink an eye when awake, particularly if there is redness, discharge, squinting, or other changes around the eye.
Seeing your dog sleep with their eyes open can look strange the first time. You may wonder whether they are actually asleep, whether they are dreaming, or whether something is wrong with their eyes.
If your dog has unusual sleep habits, you may also want to read our guide on how many hours dogs sleep per day.
The good news is that occasional partial eye opening during sleep is usually not a cause for concern. Dogs also have a third eyelid, called the nictitating membrane, which can become visible as they relax or fall asleep.
However, an eye that stays open because a dog cannot blink or close the eyelid properly is different. That can happen with eye or facial nerve problems and deserves veterinary attention.
Here is how to tell the difference.
Is It Normal for Dogs to Sleep With Their Eyes Open?
Yes, it can be normal for a dog to sleep with its eyes partly open. Dogs do not always keep their eyelids completely closed throughout every stage of sleep, and you may occasionally see part of the eye or the third eyelid.
The third eyelid, or nictitating membrane, sits at the inner corner of the eye. It helps protect the eye and contributes to the tear film that keeps the surface of the eye moist.
That means an owner can sometimes see what looks like a white or pale membrane covering part of the eye while the dog is asleep. It can look alarming, but by itself it does not necessarily mean there is a problem.
What Does Normal Sleep Look Like?
A sleeping dog may twitch its paws, move its ears, change its breathing pattern, make quiet noises, or briefly move its eyes. Some dogs may also leave their eyelids slightly open.
These behaviors can be particularly noticeable during REM sleep, the sleep stage associated with dreaming.
Do Dogs Sleep With Their Eyes Open During REM Sleep?
Dogs experience REM sleep, and owners may notice more movement during this stage. Your dog might twitch, move its paws, flick its ears, or make quiet sounds while dreaming.
You may also see the eyelids move or remain slightly open. Seeing this does not automatically mean your dog is awake or experiencing a medical problem.
There is no need to wake your dog simply because you notice these normal sleep movements. If your dog is sleeping comfortably and its eyes look healthy when awake, it is usually best to let it rest.
Why Does My Dog Sleep With One Eye Open?
Sometimes only one eye appears partially open during sleep. Occasional asymmetry while a dog is deeply relaxed is not necessarily abnormal.
What matters is what happens when your dog is awake.
If the same eye remains partly open while your dog is awake, does not blink normally, or appears unable to close completely, that is different from simply sleeping with one eye partly open.
Persistent inability to blink or close one eye should be checked by a veterinarian.
When Sleeping With Eyes Open Can Signal a Problem
The most important distinction is between partial eye opening during sleep and an eye that cannot close properly.
If your dog cannot fully close its eyelids or blink normally when awake, several conditions can be involved. One possibility is facial paralysis, which affects the facial nerve responsible for movements such as blinking.
Veterinary references describe inability to blink as a common sign of facial paralysis in dogs. Reduced blinking can also interfere with normal eye protection and tear distribution.
Signs That the Eye May Not Be Closing Normally
- The dog cannot completely close one or both eyes while awake
- One eye blinks differently from the other
- The eyelid appears weak or droopy
- The face looks uneven on one side
- The dog has increased tearing or eye discharge
- The eye becomes red, irritated, or cloudy
- The dog repeatedly squints or paws at the eye
Facial paralysis can have several causes, including idiopathic disease, middle or inner ear problems, trauma, hypothyroidism, surgery, and other conditions affecting the facial nerve.
Can an Open Eye Cause Problems for Dogs?
An eye that simply appears partially open while a dog is sleeping is not the same thing as an eye that cannot close properly.
When a dog cannot blink or close an eyelid normally, the exposed cornea may not receive adequate protection and moisture. This can contribute to dryness and, in more serious cases, corneal damage or ulcers.
That is why persistent inability to blink should not be dismissed as a strange sleeping habit. Veterinary examination can determine whether the eye is adequately protected and whether an underlying nerve, eyelid, or eye problem is present.
Facial Paralysis and Sleeping With One Eye Open
Facial paralysis can affect one side of a dog's face. When the facial nerve is affected, the dog may have difficulty blinking or closing the eyelid on that side.
Other signs can include:
- Drooping of one side of the face
- A drooping ear or upper lip
- Difficulty blinking
- Drooling from one side of the mouth
- Food or water falling from one side of the mouth
- Reduced tear production
If you notice several of these signs together, particularly if they appeared suddenly, contact your veterinarian rather than assuming your dog is simply sleeping with one eye open.
Do Certain Dog Breeds Sleep With Their Eyes Open More Often?
Some dogs, particularly dogs with prominent eyes or eyelid and facial conformation that affects how well the eyelids cover the eye, can be more prone to eye exposure.
Brachycephalic breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, and Shih Tzus can have a higher risk of certain eye problems. If you have a flat-faced dog, regular attention to changes in the eyes is especially important.
You can also read our guide to brachycephalic dog care for more information.
If your dog has a persistent eye problem rather than simply sleeping with its eyes partly open, a veterinarian should examine the eyes and eyelids.
Warning Signs That Need Veterinary Attention
Sleeping with partially open eyes is usually much less concerning when the dog's eyes look normal while awake. Seek veterinary advice if you notice any of the following:
- Redness in or around the eye
- Cloudiness or an unusual change in the appearance of the eye
- Yellow, green, thick, or excessive discharge
- Frequent squinting or blinking
- Pawing or rubbing at the eye
- Swelling around the eye
- One eye behaving differently from the other
- Inability to close or blink the eye while awake
- Drooping on one side of the face
Eye problems can become painful and may worsen without treatment, so persistent changes should be evaluated rather than monitored indefinitely.
What Should I Do If My Dog Sleeps With Its Eyes Open?
If your dog occasionally sleeps with its eyes partly open but behaves normally when awake, there is usually no reason to interfere with its sleep.
If Everything Looks Normal
- Let your dog continue sleeping.
- Check that the eyes look normal when your dog wakes up.
- Keep the sleeping area reasonably clean and free from irritating dust.
- Pay attention to any new changes in the eyes or facial movement.
If Something Looks Different
- Look at the eye when your dog is fully awake.
- Check whether both eyes blink normally.
- Look for redness, discharge, cloudiness, or swelling.
- Watch for squinting or repeated rubbing of the eye.
- Contact your veterinarian if the eye cannot close normally or other symptoms appear.
Do not put human eye drops or other eye medication into your dog's eye unless your veterinarian has specifically recommended it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I wake my dog if they are sleeping with their eyes open?
No. If your dog is sleeping comfortably and the eyes look normal when awake, there is usually no need to wake them simply because the eyelids are partly open. Dogs can show unusual-looking movements and eye positions during sleep.
Why does my dog's eye look white when sleeping?
You may be seeing the dog's third eyelid, also called the nictitating membrane. It is located at the inner corner of the eye and can become visible as a dog relaxes or sleeps. If the eye looks abnormal when your dog is awake, however, it should be checked by a veterinarian.
Is it normal for only one eye to be open during sleep?
It can happen occasionally while a dog is sleeping. The more important question is whether that eye closes and blinks normally when the dog is awake. Persistent inability to blink or close one eye can occur with facial nerve problems and needs veterinary evaluation.
Do dogs sleep with their eyes open when they are dreaming?
Some dogs may partially open their eyelids or move their eyes during sleep, including during REM sleep. Twitching, paw movements, ear movements, and quiet vocalizations can also occur while dogs are dreaming.
My dog twitches while sleeping with its eyes open. Is that a seizure?
Sleep movements such as brief twitching, paw movements, or quiet vocalizations can occur during REM sleep and do not by themselves mean that a dog is having a seizure. If the movements are unusual, prolonged, repetitive, or accompanied by other concerning signs, record a video if you safely can and show it to your veterinarian.
Can sleeping with eyes open damage my dog's vision?
Occasional partial eye opening during normal sleep is not the same as an inability to close the eyelids. If a dog cannot blink or close an eye properly, the exposed cornea can become dry or damaged, so persistent inability to close the eye requires veterinary attention.
Bottom Line
Why do dogs sleep with their eyes open? In many cases, it is simply part of normal canine sleep. A dog may leave its eyelids partly open, and the third eyelid may become visible while it rests.
The important distinction is what happens when the dog is awake. If your dog can blink and close both eyes normally and there are no signs of irritation, occasional open-eyed sleeping is usually not something to worry about.
But if an eye remains open because your dog cannot blink or close it properly, especially with redness, discharge, cloudiness, squinting, or facial drooping, veterinary attention is warranted.
So if your dog occasionally sleeps with one eye half open, don't panic. Your dog may simply have an unusual-looking sleeping habit.