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Why does my dog's eye show only white when he's super chilled?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered

My Chihuahua x Yorkshire Terrier is really funny! When I am stroking him and he gets super chilled out, his eyeball does a weird thing where it slowly looks down and only the whites of his eyes are showing. Almost as though he is in a deep hypnosis or trance. Why does this happen? I'm simply curious about it. Cheers in advance :)

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 28th, 2017

It sounds like you are seeing his third eyelid. Dogs have a third eyelid that closes when sleeping. Sometimes the upper and lower lids open making it appear the dog has all white eyeballs because the third eyelid is closed.

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