Dog Goggles: Are They A Good Idea For Your Dog?

What You Need To Know 

• Dog goggles can be a good idea when there’s a practical reason to protect your dog’s eyes from things like wind, bugs and airborne debris.

• For bike or motorcycle riding, properly fitted goggles can provide a physical barrier around your dog’s eyes.

• Don’t choose dog goggles by breed or a generic small, medium or large label. Measure your dog from temple to temple across the brow area and compare that measurement with the individual product.

• Some dogs need time to get comfortable wearing goggles. Introduce them gradually and create a positive association with wearing them.

• If your dog has an eye condition, has had eye surgery or you’re considering goggles for a medical reason, speak with your veterinarian about what’s appropriate for your dog.

Dog goggles might look like a fun accessory, but there are also practical reasons for putting a pair on your pup. Wind, bugs and airborne debris are some of the reasons dog owners look for protective eyewear, particularly when their dog joins them on a bike, motorcycle or outdoor adventure.

The big question is whether dog goggles are actually a good idea for your dog. That comes down to why you want them, how well they fit and whether your dog is comfortable wearing them.

Are Dog Goggles A Good Idea?

Dog goggles can be a good idea when there’s a genuine reason for your dog to wear them and you choose a pair that fits correctly.

Veterinarian-informed guidance on canine eye protection identifies situations involving UV exposure, wind, dirt and debris where protective eyewear may be considered. It also specifically discusses dogs travelling on bicycles and motorcycles.

That doesn’t mean every dog needs a pair.

If your dog spends most of their time going for ordinary neighbourhood walks, there may be little reason to add goggles to their wardrobe beyond looking cute. On the other hand, if your dog regularly rides with you, spends time in windy or dusty environments, or has a particular eye concern that your vet has discussed with you, goggles may serve a practical purpose.

The important part is identifying that purpose first.

What Do Dog Goggles Help Protect Their Eyes From?

Dog goggles can provide a physical barrier between your dog’s eyes and environmental hazards such as wind, bugs, dust and other airborne debris.

Foreign material reaching an eye isn’t just an imaginary concern. The Merck Veterinary Manual says corneal foreign bodies are frequently seen in domestic animals. Organic material is common, while sand, metal and glass can also become foreign bodies.

Australian veterinary ophthalmologists also routinely deal with eye problems involving foreign material. Queensland-based Veterinary Specialist Services lists foreign bodies and corneal lacerations among the conditions its specialist ophthalmology teams diagnose and treat.

That doesn’t mean goggles will prevent every eye injury. They won’t.

What they can do is put a barrier in front of the eyes during activities where exposure to wind or flying material is more likely.

Can Dog Goggles Help With UV Exposure?

UV exposure is one reason you’ll sometimes see dog goggles or dog sunglasses discussed by veterinary professionals, but this topic needs a bit of context.

Australian research into chronic superficial keratitis (CSK), also known as pannus, looked at 109 Australian racing Greyhounds. The researchers describe the condition as having both genetic and environmental influences and note that exposure to ultraviolet light can exacerbate it. You can read the Australian study for the full findings.

Closer to home, the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission also identifies UV exposure as a factor thought to contribute to pannus or make the condition worse.

This doesn’t mean every Australian dog needs sunglasses because the UV index is high. It also doesn’t mean dog goggles are a treatment for pannus or another eye condition.

If you’re considering protective eyewear because your dog has pannus, another diagnosed eye condition or unusual changes to their eyes, that’s a conversation to have with your veterinarian.

What About Dogs With Eye Problems Or After Surgery?

This is one situation where we recommend talking to your vet first and then paying very close attention to fit if goggles have been recommended.

We once helped a customer whose dog had undergone eye surgery after repeatedly walking into corners and damaging its eyes. The owner wanted goggles but wasn’t sure which style would fit their dog properly.

We walked them through measuring across the correct brow area and helped them choose padded goggles with straps behind the head and under the chin. The customer later told us the goggles had helped immensely during their dog’s recovery.

That was one dog and one customer’s experience, so it shouldn’t be taken as evidence that goggles will produce the same result for another dog.

Australian specialist services such as the University of Sydney provide veterinary ophthalmology for conditions including corneal ulcers, cataracts and glaucoma, as well as complex or recurring eye conditions. If your dog has ongoing eye pain, changes to their vision, redness, cloudiness, discharge or other worrying eye symptoms, veterinary assessment comes first.

If goggles are being considered as part of recovery from surgery or because of an existing eye condition, follow your veterinarian’s advice.

Should Dogs Wear Goggles When Riding On A Bike Or Motorcycle?

Dog goggles can be worth considering for dogs that ride on bikes or motorcycles because their eyes may be exposed to wind, bugs and road debris.

This is one of the most practical reasons we hear from customers looking for dog riding goggles.

We recently had a customer call us because they take their dog bike riding. They were specifically concerned about bugs getting around their dog’s eyes while they were riding and wanted goggles to provide a barrier.

Rather than guessing which goggles would fit from the dog’s breed or general size, we talked them through how to measure their dog correctly. We could then help them narrow down the dog goggles that suited those measurements.

Veterinarian-informed guidance also specifically discusses bike and motorcycle riding as situations where owners may consider protective eyewear for their dogs.

If you’re looking at dog motorcycle goggles, remember that goggles are only one part of the equation. They don’t make motorcycle or bike travel automatically safe, and they shouldn’t be treated as a substitute for appropriate restraint, riding equipment and safe transport practices.

How Do I Know What Size Dog Goggles To Buy?

Measure your dog before buying goggles rather than choosing a pair based only on breed, weight or a generic size label.

This is one of the biggest things we help customers with.

For dog goggles, measure from temple to temple across the brow area, then compare that measurement with the measurements given for the individual product.

Depending on your dog, one style or several styles may fit. Padding around the goggles

and straps that sit behind the head and under the chin can also be important when you’re looking for a comfortable, secure fit.

Our goggle measuring guide shows you where to measure before choosing a pair.

How To Measure Your Dog For Goggles

Start with your dog standing or sitting comfortably.

Measure from one temple to the other across the brow area. You can then take that measurement and compare it with the sizing information for the goggles you’re considering.

Don’t skip the product-specific measurements. Most dog goggles are available in one size, which means your dog’s actual measurement may determine whether one style, several styles or none of the styles you’re considering are suitable.

If you’re unsure, ask us before ordering. We’d much rather help you check the measurement than have you choose a pair based on a guess. You can find our contact details in this link.

Why Shouldn't You Choose Dog Goggles By Breed Alone?

Two dogs that share a breed can still have different head shapes and measurements.

That’s why we don’t recommend deciding that a Chihuahua automatically needs extra-small dog goggles, or that every large breed needs the biggest pair available.

Breed can give you a general idea of a dog’s overall size, but it doesn’t replace measuring the actual dog that will be wearing the goggles.

The tape measure wins this one.

What Dog Goggles Fit Small Dogs And Chihuahuas?

The right small dog goggles depend on your dog’s actual brow measurement, not simply whether they’re described as a Chihuahua, toy breed or small dog.

If you’ve searched for dog goggles Chihuahua, dog goggles extra small or small dog goggles Australia, you’ve probably noticed there isn’t one universal size system.

Start with the temple-to-temple brow measurement, then compare that number with the product measurements.

We have small dog goggles that you can compare with your dog’s measurements, along with other styles in our broader range.

The same principle applies at the other end of the scale. If you have a bigger pup, you can compare their measurements with options such as our large dog goggles.

The product name is a starting point. Your dog’s measurement is what matters.

Are Dog Sunglasses And Dog Goggles The Same Thing?

Dog sunglasses and dog goggles are terms that are often used for similar types of canine eyewear, but the individual design and features matter more than the name.

Some people search for dog sunglasses because they want something cute for photos or outings. Others are actually looking for protective eyewear for riding, outdoor adventures or a specific recommendation from their vet.

Those are very different reasons for buying something that might look fairly similar at first glance.

If protection is your priority, look beyond whether the product is labelled sunglasses, goggles or doggles. Check how it fits around your dog’s face, what coverage it provides, whether it has padding, how the straps secure and what the individual product information says about the lenses.

You can compare our range of dog goggles and sunglasses in one place, then check the measurements for the individual styles that interest you.

And if your main priority is simply finding cute dog sunglasses for a photo? We won’t judge. A dog with sunglasses can be pretty hard to resist.

Just make sure your dog is comfortable wearing them.

What Should You Look For When Choosing Dog Goggles?

Start with fit and intended use, then compare the features of individual goggles rather than choosing purely on appearance.

A few things are worth checking:

• Measurements: Compare your dog’s temple-to-temple brow measurement with the individual product.

• Coverage: Think about why your dog will be wearing goggles and where you want coverage around the eyes.

• Padding: Padding around the goggles can be important for comfort and protection.

• Straps: Straps behind the head and under the chin can help keep goggles securely positioned.

• Lens information: Check the individual product information rather than assuming every pair of dog sunglasses or goggles offers the same lens properties.

• Activity: Dog driving goggles, dog motorcycle goggles and goggles worn for an outdoor walk may all be purchased for different reasons. Choose around the actual activity.

• Your dog: Even correctly measured goggles aren’t useful if your dog is extremely distressed by wearing them.

No wearable can be guaranteed to fit every dog. Measure carefully and check the product-specific guide before ordering.

How Do You Get A Dog Used To Wearing Goggles?

Not every dog is going to put on a pair of goggles and immediately strut around like they’ve been wearing them their whole life.

The better approach is to introduce them gradually and create a positive association with the goggles.

Veterinarian-informed goggle training guidance recommends starting by letting your dog sniff and investigate the goggles without putting them on. Once your dog is comfortable around them, put the goggles on briefly and reward them with treats and praise.

You can gradually increase how long your dog wears them as they become more comfortable. If your dog shows signs of distress, remove the goggles and try again later rather than forcing them to continue.

It’s also worth doing this before the goggles are genuinely needed.

If you’re planning a bike ride, for example, your dog’s first experience with goggles shouldn’t be two minutes before you head off. Give them time at home to investigate them, wear them for short periods and get comfortable moving around normally first.

So, Does Your Dog Actually Need Goggles?

Some dogs have a genuine practical reason to wear goggles. Others might wear dog sunglasses occasionally because their owner loves the look.

Both situations exist, but they’re not the same thing.

If your dog is exposed to wind, bugs or airborne debris while riding or enjoying outdoor activities, dog goggles may be worth considering as a physical barrier around their eyes. If you’re considering them because of an eye condition or following surgery, speak with your veterinarian first.

Then comes the part we can’t stress enough: measure your dog.

Don’t assume Chihuahua means extra small. Don’t assume a large dog automatically needs the biggest goggles. And don’t assume a generic small, medium or large label will tell you everything you need to know.

Measure from temple to temple across the brow, check the individual product measurements and look at how the goggles are designed to sit and secure around your dog’s head.

A photo of a dog with goggles might look pretty cool, but a pair that actually fits your pup and suits the reason you’re buying them is far more important.