Why Dogs Eyes Glow at Night

Have you ever wondered why your dog’s eyes glow at night? Or why your dog’s eyes become little light orbs when you take a picture of them? Well, we have the answers for you!

Optic Anatomy

Your dog’s eyes react differently to light exposure in the dark because they have what is called a tapetum lucidum, which is a light reflective surface. This allows for the rods and cones in the dog’s eyes to pick up the limited amount of light available. It is located between the optic nerve and the retina and helps animals see better in the dark.

All dog’s eyes glow. But they don’t all glow the same color. Every dog has a different amount of pigment in his or her retina that can affect the color. The color can also be affected by age and other factors, so even two dogs of the same species could have different color glowing eyes.