Click to Skip Ahead
Winking is not just for humans; dogs can also wink or at least appear as if they are winking! Dogs are fun creatures who amuse their owners daily, and winking is just one of many cute antics a dog may engage in. Suppose you’ve ever looked at your dog and noticed them winking. In that case, there are a few potential reasons for the behavior, but be mindful that there could also be underlying medical issues that require veterinary attention.
Join us in discovering four potential reasons why dogs wink, so you can appreciate the behavior even more or know if a trip to the vet is warranted for an exam.
What Is a Dog Wink?
Before we dive into the potential reasons why dogs wink, let’s learn exactly what a dog wink is. A dog wink is a particular facial expression in which one eye stays open, and the other closes, typically very quickly and briefly, before opening back up. A dog wink may appear similar to a human wink, but it could come from different motivations. It may signal a playful gesture, a reflex, or even a form of communication with humans in some cases.
The 4 Possible Reasons Why Dogs Wink
1. They’re Trying to Get Your Attention
Your dog winking at you may be as innocent as trying to get your attention. If you give your dog love and affection every time they wink at you, you may unintentionally encourage the behavior, making it more frequent. However, it’s also possible that rather than winking, your dog is slowly blinking, which may look similar. But hey, as long as it’s not a medical issue, enjoy the cuteness overload.
2. They Are Mimicking You
If you notice that your dog winks at you frequently, there’s a possibility that your dog is mimicking you if you do it often. Copying your winking may also be a way for your dog to show affection toward you. Dogs are intelligent creatures and are quite capable of mimicking their owners, and winking is no different. A 2017 study concluded that human attention affects facial expressions in canines, so if you wink at your dog, your dog may simply be copying your behavior.
3. Submissive or Appeasement Behavior
A wink may also be a submissive tactic when your dog is around other canines. A submissive dog will tuck the tail under the legs, lay the ears flat against the head, and cower. A submissive dog will also avoid staring into the eyes of a potential threat, which translates to meaning no harm. As a result, a dog may blink subtly to convey this information. For humans, engaging in eye contact is considered respectful, but for dogs, staring can be a sign of dominance and aggression.
4. There’s A Health Issue
A dog winking is not always for innocent reasons, as a health issue could be the culprit. Generally, any pain, irritation, or inflammation of the eye can lead to winking or excessive blinking.
- Canine Blepharospasm: This condition refers to a temporary spasm of the eyelid. The condition can affect one or both eyes. The affected eyelid may be irritated, swollen, itchy, or red. A dog with this condition will typically scratch the eye, causing more irritation. A colored or clear discharge may be present, as well as crusty flakes around the eye.
- Entropion: Entropion is an eyelid abnormality in which the eyelid rolls inward. The condition is painful because the hair surrounding the surface of the eyelid can scratch the cornea and cause corneal ulcers, perforations, and pigment development, which can hinder vision. One typical sign is squinting or “winking.”
- Conjunctivitis or pink eye: Inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva can cause redness, swelling, discharge, and frequent blinking or winking.
- Corneal Ulcers: Scratches or ulcers on the cornea can be painful, triggering winking, blinking, or pawing at the eye.
- Foreign bodies: Dust, grass, or small particles in the eye can cause irritation, swelling, pawing at the eye, rubbing, and involuntary winking or blinking.
Entropion is usually a hereditary disorder that is particularly seen in certain breeds, such as the Bull Mastiff, Bloodhound, English Bulldog, Shar Pei, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Great Dane, Rottweiler, Standard Poodle, and Irish Setter. The good news is that the condition can be corrected with surgery and has a promising prognosis.
Conclusion
A dog winking may be an innocent gesture or a medical issue that needs addressing. Telltale signs of a medical issue are irritation to the eye, redness, discharge, crusty flakes around the eye, pawing or rubbing the eye, changes in pupil size, or a swollen eye. If you notice any of these signs, you must take your dog to the vet for an exam. Most times, the issue can be treated easily or with surgery. If a medical issue is not the reason, you can sit back and enjoy your dog’s silly behaviors.
Featured Image Credit: Masarik, Shutterstock
