Are puppies born blind&deaf?

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Puppies are not fully developed at birth and are completely dependent on their mother for survival. Their eyelids are tightly shut, and their ear canals are closed as protection for their still-developing eyes and ears. They are both blind and deaf.

Mammals at Birth

Many predatory animals are born helpless and immature while most grazing animals are born with fully formed brains. Prey mammals such as horses and deer can see, hear and run within hours of being born.

Why Dogs Are Born Helpless

A dog's success in hunting depends on speed and agility. A short pregnancy ensures that the female carries as little extra weight as possible for as short a time as possible. Because the babies have less time to develop in the womb, they must complete more of their development after birth (see Reference 1).

Development of Sight

Sealed eyelids protect the puppy's maturing optical system from foreign objects and bright lights. The eyes open at about two weeks, but the puppy's sight is weak. Vision continues to develop for at least eight weeks (see Reference 2).

Development of Hearing

At about 10 days, the ear canals open and the pup begins to hear. By about three weeks, the puppy is hearing well (see Reference 3).

Newborn Puppies

For the first two weeks, a puppy depends entirely on its mother for food, warmth and stimulation of essential bodily functions. When the pup is not feeding, it sleeps.

Growing Independence

The puppy's brain matures rapidly during the first eight weeks of life. Once its eyes and ear canals open, it begins to explore its environment and play.

Source

Psychology Today: Why are puppies born with their eyes and ears closed?; Stanley Coren, Ph.D; Jun 29, 2009

Pet Education: Sight Development in the Dog and Puppy; Race Foster, DVM

Pet Education: Ear Anatomy and Hearing Development in Dogs; Race Foster, DVM

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Are puppies born blind&deaf?

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