Dogs with eye problems often require an eyepatch to protect the unaffected eye. This can be a challenge if you don’t know how to make one. This article will show you how to make an eye patch for a dog using simple materials that you likely have at home. Stay safe and help your pup recover quickly!
Dogs are our best friends, and we want them to be healthy. It’s remarkable when injured because it can limit their everyday activities. Dogs that have experienced trauma or injury to one eye may need a protective eyepatch until the damaged eye has healed.
Luckily, it’s not difficult to make an eyepatch for your dog at home. You should notice an improvement in your pup’s vision within about two weeks of using this homemade eyepatch, but you’ll see something within four days.
Contents
A Step by Step Guide on How to Make an Eye Patch for a Dog
Step 1: Determine How Bad the Problem is
If your dog has an eye injury or patch, it will need to be covered. How long they can go without a cover depends on how bad the damage is and what the dog may have. Ocular injuries and ulcers (open sores) on dogs can quickly become life-threatening because of secondary infections. If a veterinarian treats them for any other condition, keep them there until a doctor has seen them.
Step 2: Examine Your Dog’s Fur Length & How You Will Use It
Long hair breeds that shed heavily might not be as good as short-haired breeds in terms of durability for this covering because fur tangles easily with velcro fasteners. If you are using velcro, it may be better to use fur that has been shaved or trimmed short. How long your dog’s fur is will determine how much velcro you need. For long-haired dogs, try for between 1-1 1/2 inches of very tightly woven velcro strips.
Step 3: Gather the Materials You Will Need
You will need a good quality eye patch made either of fleece or cotton wadding (batting) for this covering. The standard size is 5×8 inches but adjust accordingly if your dog needs bigger or smaller eyes coverage. Other supplies are listed below:
1 Eye Patch 5-8″ square depending on the size of the eye area
3 – 4 feet of 1 inch wide Velcro
1/2″ Wider Elastic Bandage for Gentle Support
If you are concerned about the elastic getting wet and losing its “spring,” do not immerse in water and dry immediately with a towel after washing. How long they can go without washing will depend on how often your dog needs to wear the eye patch. Some dogs can wear it all day; others need to take it off at night.
Step 4: Cut the Eye Patch & Elastic Bandage If Necessary
An easy way to make sure both pieces of fabric (eye patch and elastic bandage) are the same size is by folding them over each other and cutting around both at once. You want to use fabric that is non-irritating to the eye area, so nothing with metal, plastic, or rough edges should be used.
Step 5: Sew Elastic Bandage onto Eye Patch
Once you have the elastic bandage cut and sewn onto the patch, you have a pocket for your dog’s eye. How tightly it holds will depend on how snug you make this connection and how tight it is stitched down.
A good rule of thumb is to sew only every 1-1/2″ – 2″. If needed, reinforce stitching by sewing multiple times in each hole rather than going through from one side to another. How close together you can go depends on what type of thread and needle you use but try to keep it even.
Step 6: Attach the Velcro
After you have sewn your elastic bandage onto your eye patch, cut two lengths of 1-inch wide velcro long enough to go around the tail end and fasten them, so they hold in place and don’t cause irritation when in place. How close you place them depends on how big the area is but try for between 1-1/2″ – 2″.
How far apart you place them will determine how much fur is needed in the middle. If the area can’t be covered by just one velcro strip, use multiple strips. How many strips total will depend on their width and placement. Ensure that none of these fasteners or elastic bandages are anywhere the dog can get a hold of them and chew or pull on.
They mustn’t interfere with eating, drinking, or other daily activities. How tight you make these holds will depend on whether your dog’s eye patch needs to be held gently in place or more securely. How much fur is required between each strip will determine how far apart you go from one strip to the next.
Step 7: Put In Place
After you have sewn all fasteners into place and checked for comfort and irritation, gently place an eye patch over the injured area and then take velcro strips and wrap around head right behind ears and below jawline until snug but not too tight.
If your dog has long hair, try for between 1-1/2 to 2 inches between each velcro strip. How tight you make the connection will depend on whether your dog’s eye patch needs to be held gently in place or more securely. How much fur is required between each strip will determine how far apart you go from one strip to the next.
How closely together these strips are wrapped around will depend on where exactly you want the eye patch to go, and sometimes if your dog has long hair, it may require a third bandage just for this step.
Step 8: Customize Your Eye Patch
You can add decorations such as bows or other embellishments but make sure there are no rough edges that could irritate the eye area, especially if your dog cannot keep it clean while wearing the eye patch. How much decoration you add depends on your dog’s personality and what they are comfortable with.
If needed, let dogs wear eye patches without decoration at first to get used to it being in place. How secure decorations are placed also depends on how long the eye patch needs to stay in place and if your dog is allowed to play or interact with other pets or children while wearing it.
Step 9: Eye Patch Care & Cleaning
Don’t forget that after time, eye patches will lose their stickiness/adhesiveness and need to be replaced. How often this happens varies but usually about every 7-10 days depending on the use and material of fabric used. Be sure to remove all old adhesives before applying a new eye patch.
How to clean eye patches will depend on the materials used but after time, your dog’s fur may attach itself to adhesive, and it needs to be spot cleaned before applying a new eye patch.
How often you need to clean this area also depends on how long your dog’s eye patch needs to stay in place and if your dog is allowed to play or interact with other pets or children while wearing it. These steps will help in how to make an eye patch for a dog.
Additional Tips:
– You may need to tape the top and bottom of your eye patch near your dog’s ear, so it stays on.
– However you choose to do this, make sure your pet gets used to wearing the patch before going outside for walks or anything else fun.
– Always have someone with you when you take any pet out in public, so they are not afraid if they happen to fall off their eye patch.
How to Keep My Dog’s Eye From Getting Hurt?
Dogs are very active and adventurous creatures, but their curious nature can lead to painful injuries. One of the most common injuries is a scratched or injured eye.
You should never attempt to treat an undamaged eye! If your dog’s eyes are not damaged, there is no need to apply any treatment as this could cause further damage or irritation could be done. Always consult with a veterinarian if your pet has suffered trauma involving the eyes.
You should also never put any medicine in your dog’s eye without consulting with a veterinarian. Always ensure that you are using the correct type of medicine for your pet. For example, do not use eye drops if your dog is suffering from an infection or conjunctivitis, as it will only worsen.
To care for your pet’s wounded eye, you can create a homemade dog eye patch to protect the injured eye while it heals. This is recommended if your dog has scratched or rubbed its eyes on something sharp or coarse, causing abrasions. A homemade patch will help protect your dog’s eye from getting further irritated or scratched.
Conclusion:
Eye patches are a great way to help protect your dog’s eyes from the sun and other elements. They’re also an excellent way to keep your dog’s eyes clean and debris-free. You can make an eye patch for your dog using materials you probably have around the house. But, of course, it would help if you had some fabric, scissors, tape, or glue gun. So follow these simple steps on how to make an eye patch for a dog.
