20% OFF frame & lenses!

What on Earth are Doggles?

Jamie Mendiola

Written By:

Jamie Mendiola

Updated: 28 March 2024 •  
share via facebook share via twitter share via linkedin share via email

If you have an adventurous dog in your family, they might need a pair of ‘Doggles’.
 
Yes, you read that right.
 
The term ‘Doggles’ might sound like something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book, but rest assured, it’s a real thing.
 
And, your furry friend might just love it.
 
So, let’s explore how you and your pup can use a pair of these in real life.
 

Doggles? Are we barking barking mad?

dog wearing protective eyewear

A good boy needs their protective eyewear, just like humans do.

 

Okay, first things first, what exactly are Doggles?
 
Well, just by the name alone, you may have guessed they’re a pair of goggles for your dog!
 
Just like us, dogs do need their protective eyewear at times.
 
Doggles usually have UV-protected, shatterproof, and anti-fog lenses to help your dog see clearly wherever it goes.
 
They’re also designed with soft foam padding to ensure they always feel comfortable on your dog’s head.
 
And if you’re wondering who’s the genius behind this, you can thank Roni Di Lullo.
 
She came up with the idea for Doggles one day when she noticed how her border collie squinted under the sun and missed catching a frisbee.
 

But why would a dog need doggles?

dog playing fetch in the outdoors

Energetic dogs tend to get dirt and debris in their eyes, which could cause irritation.

 

1. Physical eye protection

 
While out and about, your dog can get dirt and dust stuck in its eyes.
 
It might not be so easy to get them out, and before then your dog’s eyes might even get irritated and tear up.
 
A sturdy pair of Doggles can prevent all this from happening.
 

2. Protection from UV rays

 
Us humans can simply grab our fave pair of sunglasses during a hot day, but your dog probably doesn’t have the same luxury.
 
When exposed directly to harmful UV rays, dogs are at higher risk of getting surface ocular cancer.
 
It can also worsen pannus, a hereditary condition that affects a dog’s cornea.
 

3. Protection from wind and debris

 
If your dog loves riding with the windows down or going on bike rides, they will need special goggles.
 
Doggles will help protect their eyes from the wind and any debris that might fly into them.
 

4. Protection from water and snow

 
Has your dog ever gotten the zoomies? When their energy’s up there, they might run around, jump in the water, or play in the snow.
 
And of course, their eyes get exposed to a lot of debris.
 
Before anything potentially scratches their eyes, you can protect them with dog-friendly goggles.
 
Also, keep in mind that snow can reflect 80% of the sun’s UV rays, which makes it harder for your furry friend to keep their eyes open.
 
Additionally, when a dog is exposed to UV rays for too long, it may worsen a hereditary eye condition called pannus and cause sunburn to occur around their eyes.
 

5. Style

 
Let’s be perfectly honest: Doggles look pretty cool.
 
They come in different colors, so you can even get multiple pairs to dress up your pooch on various occasions.
 
They’re also highly adjustable, so there’s a pair out there for canines of all sizes.
 
Who wouldn’t want their pup to strut with a pair of stylish goggles?
 

How to tell if your dog needs doggles

two dogs wearing doggles in the outdoors

It’s recommended for doggos with vision conditions like cataracts or traits like protruding eyes to get Doggles.

 

While Doggles have all sorts of benefits, there are some doggos who need them more than others.
 
If your furry friend falls into any of the following categories, it may be time to get it fitted for a pair.
 

Dogs with eye conditions

 
If your pup has a diagnosed eye condition like a cataract, Doggles will make a practical accessory since they block UV rays and improve their visual clarity.
 
Doggles also add a layer of protection for specific dog breeds with sensitive eyes, like brachycephalic dogs.
 
Examples of such would be Bulldogs and Shih Tzus.
 
These dogs have a flatter face and protruding eyes, which makes them more at risk for eye and health problems.
 

Dogs who enjoy outdoor activities

 
While adventurous dogs have a lot more fun, they’re also more prone to danger from outdoor elements especially if you take them hiking or swimming with you.
 
This leads to your furry friends being more vulnerable to eye injuries like getting their eyes scratched.
 

Dogs who travel frequently

 
If you’re a nomad who loves taking your dog with you, investing in a pair of Doggles will minimize the risk of your pet’s eyes getting hit by flying debris and harsh winds along the way.
 

Where you can get doggy fitted with doggles

 
There are a lot of retail stores, both physical and online, that offer Doggles.
 
Some of them even offer in-house fittings, so you can take your dog in to have its measurements taken.
 

Choosing the right pair of doggles

a shiba inu wearing a pair of doggles

A pair of Doggles have to be perfect for the dog breed.

 
So, you might be wondering now, “Well, where do I start?”.
 
For first-time shoppers, it’s pretty easy to get the right pair of Doggles for your furbaby.
 
All you need to consider are the following:
 

Proper fit

 
To ensure a dog’s full safety and comfort, the goggles have to fit snugly and comfortably around the head.
 
It’s like buying a harness or a collar — it shouldn’t slip nor fit too tightly on the dog’s fur.
 

Lens color

 
Consider your dog’s lifestyle.
 
Are they usually out and about in broad daylight? Or are you more likely to take it out in the evenings?
 
Depending on your answer, you should choose a lens color that protects your pup’s eyes accordingly.
 
If it’s often out during the day, get Doggles with darker-tinted lenses for UV protection.
 

Style

 
Lastly, look up which style of Doggles fits your dog’s eyes best.
 
Some are designed with shallow lenses, which won’t fit the protruding eyes of brachycephalic dogs like Boston Terriers and Pugs.
 
If your dog falls under this category, look for Doggles with deeper eyecups.

 

Training doggy to wear doggles

dog receiving treats during training session

A doggie training won’t be complete without treats.

 

Here’s the thing, if a dog isn’t used to wearing an accessory, training will be required.
 
As Doggles inventor Roni Di Lullo puts it,
 
“It really depends on your dog… The good majority of them need to be trained to wear them.”.
 
The good news is, it’s not too difficult to train a dog for Doggles.
 
All it takes are these simple steps.
 

1. Familiarization

 
For starters, Introduce the special goggles to your dog while you’re outside.
 
If you let yours wear it indoors, they might not be able to see anything, especially if the Doggles have dark lenses.
 
Before putting them on, let your dog sniff and paw them around.
 
Once it can ascertain it’s a perfectly safe object, it won’t struggle as much when you put the goggles on.
 

2. Short and frequent training sessions

 
Get your furry friend used to the goggles by letting it wear them in short, routine intervals.
 
A quick 5-10 minute training session per day should be enough to start them off.
 
Better yet, try incorporating Doggles gradually during their walks.
 
Since your dog might try to paw them off at first, a nice walk can make for a good distraction.
 

3. Positive reinforcement

 
A successful training session is always boosted by yummy treats.
 
Rewarding your dog reinforces the idea that the goggles are okay to wear and that it’s doing a good job.
 
To do so, give your furry friend a treat and lots of praise the moment you take off the goggles.
 
Repeat these steps multiple times until it looks forward to wearing them.

 

Are there human doggles?

a man wearing a pair of goggles in snowy outdoors

Like Doggles, human goggles are built to be durable against harsh elements.

 

Of course, humans too have special goggles of our own.
 
Nowadays, there are prescription safety glasses that you can get online.
 
These are specifically designed to protect your eyes if you’re working in a hazardous environment, while correcting your vision.
 
Outside of goggles, we can also better protect our eyes by investing in tougher lenses.
 
Lenses made out of materials like polycarbonate, Trivex, or Tribrid lenses have greater impact resistance.
 

Doggles or goggles–they all have the same purpose

Just like its human counterpart, Doggles can protect your dog’s eyes from UV rays and potential injury.
 
It can even help them see better during a walk.
 
So, get them fitted for the perfect pair, and you can keep your pal safe and stylish all at once.
 
More eye-opening eyewear guides and eye facts await you on Mouqy’s blog, so be sure to check that out before you go!

Jamie Mendiola
Jamie is a writer and non-profit volunteer advocating for mental health. When not typing up a storm at work, you'll find her binge-watching Netflix or meditating like Yoda.