Why should my dog get sunglasses?
UV protection is just as important for dogs as it is for us humans .
The anatomy of a dog's eye is similar to that of a human's. Aside from their different abilities, dog eyes and human eyes are equally sensitive to external influences. In addition to UV protection, there are many other situations in which eye protection for dogs is useful. Here we've listed the 5 main reasons .
Effects of UV rays on dog eyes
If UV rays hit the outer eye too brightly or for too long, the cornea can suffer sunburn, similar to the skin. This flash burn, also known as snow blindness (medically known as photokeratitis), causes severe pain six to eight hours after sun exposure. Dog handlers from Gastein, Switzerland, have been protecting their avalanche search dogs from snow blindness with sunglasses for as long as the last century.
Cataracts occur differently. Under strong sunlight, the proteins in the lens change and lead to early cataracts. Visual acuity decreases and a grey veil covers the field of vision. Cataracts depend on how long the dog has been in bright sunlight.
The consequences of UV rays hitting your dog's retina are more dramatic . Deposits (drusen) form prematurely, and the retina can even clot. This also affects cells in the macula, causing macular degeneration, which can lead to blindness. While macular degeneration is usually age-related, it is clear that UV radiation plays a role in its development.
Diseases of the dog's eyes caused by UV rays
Dogs with German Shepherd Keratitis should generally wear dog sunglasses, as the UV protection counteracts the progression of the disease. You can find more information about German Shepherd Keratitis in our blog
When does protective goggles make sense for your dog?
UV radiation is particularly intense in the mountains . The air becomes thinner, and the protective layers diminish. This intensifies the sunlight – by around 20% for every 1,000 meters of altitude. UV exposure is also high near water: Here, in addition to direct sunlight, there is also indirect radiation, as the water surface reflects UV radiation by up to 95%. The same applies to snowy surfaces. Bright surroundings – e.g., white houses or light sandy areas – also reflect the radiation. Green spaces, on the other hand, only reflect the aggressive sunlight by around 5-8%.
What does UV400 mean
Requirements for dog sunglasses
To achieve almost 100% sun protection, the lens of dog goggles should have UV-400 protection.
UV-400 means that the lenses marked with this label not only (almost) completely absorb UV radiation up to 380 nanometers (sunglasses lenses in Europe are required to offer this protection), but also filter out short-wave blue light/long-wave UV in the transition range between 380 and 400 nanometers. UV-400 protection is also available for dog sunglasses lenses from Rex Specs. The UV filtering properties of Rex Specs lenses are completely independent of the tint.
There are a few other equally important points for dog sunglasses . The ergonomics of a dog's head are narrower than ours. The eyes are directed forwards but also to the sides, so your dog has a larger field of vision. Elements of the glasses frame should not restrict the field of vision at all or only very slightly .
Good ventilation and a large distance between the window and the dog's eye prevent the build-up of heat.
Dog goggles must be lightweight overall so that they are not perceived as a disturbing foreign body.
Every dog's head is different in size and shape. The straps should be flexibly adjustable at at least three points . This is the only way to guarantee a stable fit during every movement.
Extensive and thick padding increases comfort . Replaceable lenses have the advantage of being easy to clean - and a more or less tinted lens can be used depending on the light and weather conditions.
For different lighting conditions and light sensitivity, for example due to a defect in the iris, it is important that replacement lenses with different light transmittances are offered to match the eye protection.
The Rex Specs dog glasses
TheRex Specs dog goggles meet all of these important points to provide your dog with good and perfectly fitting UV protection. The new design with a continuous lens offers a large field of vision.
This means that dog sunglasses are more quickly accepted .
The flexible straps, which can be adjusted at three points, keep the dog glasses securely in place. The light and fully padded frame increases wearing comfort. The frame width of 5 cm prevents heat build-up and annoying eyelash contact with the lens.
The excellent workmanship of the high-quality materials promises a long service life and robust quality for every adventure
Which goggle fit my dog?
To ensure that your furry friend is protected from the sun and UV rays during every activity, the glasses must fit the head size perfectly. The Rex Specs are available in five different sizes. From Chihuahuas to Bernese Mountain Dogs, the right size is available for almost every dog.
To determine the correct size, you only need to measure the circumference of the snout just behind the lips and the circumference of the head just behind the eyes. You can find detailed instructions and a size chart on this page https://www.hundebrille.eu/hundebrille/groesse-bestimmen/ . The Rex Specs usually do not fit dogs with short noses. Contact us if you have any questions.
The sun shines long and hard, especially in summer. It is therefore important that the straps are adjusted correctly to ensure good comfort and high acceptance. You can find out how to make the correct adjustment in this video .
