It’s no secret that our furry friends are avid enthusiasts of outdoor exploration. However, eye protection for their adventures is often overlooked as we don’t always realize that animals are just as sensitive to the effects of the sun on their eyes as we are.
At NoIR, our expertise in eye safety technology, combined with our love of animals and the profound impact they have had on our team’s lives prompted us to create PetSpex™ eyewear.
Our goggles benefit pets in many ways, protecting their eyes from the sun, wind, dirt or other potential debris that could damage their vision. Dogs with light-colored eyes are particularly vulnerable to the sun's harmful UV rays, which can lead to conditions such as cataracts or even cancers. PetSpex™ can also be beneficial for dogs that are prone to eye infections or have recently undergone eye surgery.
In this article we’ll take a closer look at each of the factors affecting our pets’ vision and give some tips on choosing the right size.
Why are goggles important?
- UV light exposure protection: Harmful rays trigger or exacerbate a condition called Pannus, also known as chronic superficial keratitis, which affects the cornea. German Shepherds, Belgian Shepherds, Greyhounds and Border Collies are breeds that are most susceptible to pannus, but the disease can occur in any breed, and can also affect cats. UV radiation is one of the key factors that can aggravate and inflame the pannus condition.
Iris Atrophy, a common condition associated with aging, is the degeneration of the iris that causes increased light sensitivity to bright light, making your furry companion less comfortable. Another common aging problem is cataracts that may lead to vision loss and even blindness in some cases. PetSpex™ goggles reduce the risk of developing these various eye conditions. - Prevention of injuries and infections: PetSpex™ goggles offer an effective shield against dirt, sand, debris, and other foreign objects that could hurt your pet’s eyes and cause injury or infection.
- Allergy relief: PetSpex™ goggles provide a great barrier against pollen, dust and other allergens, reducing the likelihood of eye irritation, itchiness, discomfort or even infections.
- Comfort in harsh weather conditions: PetSpex™ goggles offer protection from the environmental elements like strong winds, snow or rain getting into your pet’s eyes.
- Anxiety alleviation: For some dogs going outside, especially in unfamiliar surroundings or noisy, overstimulating environments may trigger anxiety or nervousness. PetSpex™ goggles might ease those feelings, providing a sense of security through the layer of protection between them and the environment.
How to choose the right fit for your pet?
It’s important to determine the right size for your pet to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. We recommend measuring the head and chin circumference to pick the correct size out of the four options we offer, based on strap dimensions, in addition to weight considerations.
When fitting the straps, adjust the head strap to fit comfortably and securely around the eyes and below the ears, and the chin strap under the chin.
Tips for training your pet to wear goggles
Many pets may be resistant to wearing eye protection so it’s important to train them with patience and consistency, starting slowly and not forcing the goggles on.
- Introduce the PetSpex™ goggles slowly before putting them on, letting your pet sniff and inspect them to get comfortable with them.
- Start putting them on your pet’s head for a few seconds at a time at first, several times a day, gradually increasing the length of wear time.
- Use special treats and praise as positive reinforcement for wearing the goggles. Keep the training sessions short and fun.
- Establish a regular practice of putting the PetSpex™ goggles on and taking them off to build comfort around the process.
- Gradually increase the length and intensity of the activities involving wearing goggles.
Please reference our website for further resources and please reach out to our customer service for guidance with choosing the right pair for your furry friend.
https://www.noirinsight.com/petspex/petspex-sunglasses
Tel. 800-521-9746