Some dogs appear to sleep with partly open eyes during light or REM sleep, but persistent inability to close an eye, redness, discharge, cloudiness, or pain is not a normal sleep quirk.
Quick Answer
During light sleep, eyelids may not look fully closed and eye movement can sometimes be visible. The pale third eyelid may also cover part of the eye during sleep.
Check the Eyes While Awake
Check the eyes when the dog is fully awake. Both eyes should be compared for redness, squinting, discharge, cloudiness, swelling, unequal pupils, or an obvious inability to blink or close an eyelid normally.
When Eyelid Closure Is Abnormal
Facial nerve dysfunction, eyelid anatomy, eye pain, or surface disease can interfere with normal closure and tear-film protection. These possibilities require an eye examination rather than home treatment.
Avoid Unprescribed Eye Drops
Do not use human redness-relief drops or leftover eye medication. Eye problems can worsen quickly, and some medications are unsafe when the cornea is damaged.
When to See a Veterinarian
Arrange veterinary care for persistent incomplete closure while awake, squinting, rubbing, discharge, redness, cloudiness, or facial asymmetry. Sudden severe eye pain, trauma, or vision loss warrants prompt assessment.
