Best Dog Goggles for Keeping Their Eyes Safe (Or Just Looking Cool)

If you like to spend time outside in the sun or at the beach with your dog, you’ll want to consider buying him the best dog goggles that the market has to offer. But why should you get your canine companion dog goggles? Are they really necessary or just a fashion fad? In this article, we look at why dogs should wear goggles and other dog paraphernalia.

Products included in this article were carefully and independently selected by the Labrador Site team. If you decide to make a purchase from one of the links marked by an asterisk, we may earn a small commission on that sale. This is at no extra cost to you.

Dog sunglasses

Everyone knows that the UV rays in sunlight can burn your skin, potentially causing serious health problems such as skin cancer. But did you know that UV rays can also damage your eyes? That’s why you should always wear polarized shades when you’re catching some rays, especially on the beach where the sun reflects back from the water.

Your dog’s eyes can be similarly affected by bright sunshine. In beaming conditions, a pair of dog goggles, or “doggles” as they’re also called, can protect your pet’s eyes from the irritation and harm that exposure to direct sunlight can cause.

If you take your dog with you on summer trips to the beach, the sun reflecting off the ocean can be dazzling. Similarly, on a glorious winter day, candescent sunshine glowing from freshly fallen snow can be almost blinding. A quality pair of dog goggles will prevent your dog from suffering discomfort and possible eye damage.

Dog Goggles for Eye Protection

Goggles can be extremely useful in providing your dog with eye protection when he’s out enjoying life with you. If your pet enjoys a ride on your motorbike, in the back of your truck, leaning out of your car window to catch the breeze or sailing on your boat, his eyes are at risk of damage from windblown dirt and water. The best dog goggles will protect him from these risks.

At the beach, your dog could kick up sand when he’s running with his friends, potentially causing him severe eye irritation. On windy days, sand and salt spray will readily blow into your dog’s face. A good pair of doggles will keep your pet protected, saving him from discomfort and you from unwanted vet bills. All dogs love to run through undergrowth and long grass. But this enjoyable activity can soon turn sour if your pet catches a bramble or branch in his eye, or picks up a grass seed. Dog goggles can help to prevent such injuries from occurring so you can be confident that your pet can play safely.

Dog Goggles for Flat-Faced Breeds

Although eye protection is a great idea for all dogs, some breeds are more susceptible to eye problems than others.

Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds are especially susceptible to eye injuries and inherited eye problems. These breeds have flat faces and large, bulging eyes. Also, these dogs are small and stand close to the ground, making them more likely to sustain injury from branches as they run through undergrowth. Grass seeds and particles of grit are also very easily picked up, causing irritation to the eyes.

Tactical Dog Goggles for Working Dogs

Some pups have specific jobs that may see them benefit from wearing eye protection. For example, search-and-rescue dogs such as Bloodhounds and police dogs like German Shepherds are all at risk of sustaining injury from undergrowth or flying debris as they go about their duties. Also, criminals bent on escaping the law are not averse to spraying chemical irritants at pursuing K9 dogs and even home guard dogs.

Dog Goggles for Fashionistas

As well as serving a practical purpose, dog sunglasses can look great too. Many pooches really seem to enjoy wearing dog goggles or sunglasses, but others aren’t quite so keen. The key to equipping your pup in the trendiest shades is to always choose dog goggles rather than human sunglasses. Dog goggles are specially designed for dogs’ heads, and have carefully positioned straps to keep thee goggles securely and comfortably in place.

So, now that we’ve looked at why you might want to buy some dog goggles for your pup, let’s have a closer look at the very best products out there in the marketplace.

Best Dog Goggles for Large Dogs

QUMY Dog Sunglasses*(paid link) are the ultimate practical, fashionable dog goggles.

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That’s why they’re one of the best-sellers on Amazon. The goggles come in a range of colors, including white, black, pink, red and blue. They’re designed for dogs over about 15 lbs and have elasticated, fully adjustable head and chin bands for a secure and comfy fit.

The frame is lined with foam cushion to prevent rubbing and ensure comfort for your dog. The goggles can be folded up for ease of carrying, and a neat carrying case is included. The goggles have inbuilt UV protection and a shatterproof lens for protection against windblown debris, water and bright sunlight. An anti-fog version of the lens is available. The design boasts a wider nose-bridge, sturdier frame and deeper lens cup than other comparable brands.

NACOCO Pet Glasses Dog Sunglasses*(paid link) are designed for use by dogs weighing over 13 lbs.

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The goggles come in a variety of funky colors, including black, yellow, white, blue, red and pink. These quality-assured dog goggles have adjustable head and chin straps so you can be sure that the goggles will be comfortable for your pet, without the risk of them falling off during vigorous play.

Petleso Large Dog Goggles Sunglasses*(paid link) are another brand of dog goggles that are top sellers on Amazon.

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The goggles come with frames in red, silver, or white. The goggles have easily adjustable straps that fit over your dog’s head and under his chin. The design is made to fit dogs up to average size of a golden retriever. The lenses are shatterproof polycarbonate, giving great protection against wind, bright sunlight, dust and tree branches.

Best Dog Goggles for Small Dogs

Enjoying Dog Goggles*(paid link) are small dog goggles that are designed with the more petite pup in mind, and they’re also one of Amazon’s best-selling dog sunglasses brands.

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The waterproof goggles have a fully adjustable head and chin band, and feature high-quality lenses that give protection for your pup against UV rays, flying debris and water. The frame is cushion-padded with foam for extra comfort. The goggles come with black or pink frames.

Doggles – ILS Shiny Red Frame with Smoke Lens*(paid link) are specifically designed to fit the smaller dog.

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These small and extra-small dog goggles feature an extra-wide nose bridge; padded and flexible rubber frame; and soft, elastic chin and head straps. The lenses are shatterproof and anti-fog, providing 100 percent UV protection for your pet on sunny days, as well as deflecting potentially harmful dust, debris and salt water spray.

Doggles Originalz Frame Goggles for Dogs*(paid link) are an extremely popular dog goggle brand, worn by working dogs around the world, including K9 units, search and rescue dogs, and border patrol dogs.

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This make is also popular as guard dog goggles. The super-flexible, chrome-colored frames house 100 percent UV protection, anti-fog, shatterproof, smoke-tinted lenses. The lens cups are deep to ensure that the lens does not come into contact with your dog’s eye, preventing potentially harmful rubbing and abrasion injuries. The design is available in a variety of sizes, including extra small dog goggles.

Clear dog goggles

All the dog goggles we’ve looked at so far have tinted or very dark lenses. That’s great if you want to give your pup protection against bright sunlight or from the dazzle caused by the reflection of light from snow or water. But what about dull days or even at night?

Just because the sun isn’t shining doesn’t mean that your dog won’t need eye protection. Guard dogs, working dogs and hunting dogs often work during the hours of darkness in conditions that could present a risk to their eyes. So, what’s the solution? Clear dog goggles can provide great eye protection for your pup.

Rex Specs Dog Goggles*(paid link) are an extremely high-quality product that come in at a slightly higher price point than the other brands that we’ve reviewed so far.

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However, these dog goggles are the preferred canine eye protection for many professional dog handlers in military and law enforcement organizations around the world. The dog goggles come with two lenses: one clear lens and another tinted lens of your choice.

These human-grade lenses are interchangeable, spherical and UV400 rated, providing your dog with 99.9 precent protection from UVA/UVB rays. Also, the lenses are rated ANSI Z87.1 for impact resistance, making them super-strong and shatterproof. A dynamic strap system allows for a secure, comfortable fit while permitting your dog full movement of his jaw. The single lens design allows the wearer full range of vision.

The large size goggles are designed to fit dogs from 30 to 100 lbs, depending on their head shape. The small size goggles are the best fit for flat-faced dogs. Frame colors include black, chrome, and orange.

If you’re concerned that your pup might not take to wearing his new goggles, the company provides a helpful video with tips regarding how to teach your dog to wear eye protection. Check out the product link above to watch the video and read the full spec of these top-quality dog goggles.

Fashionable Dog Goggles

If you want your pooch to look trendy on the beach, you might want to buy him a pair of fashion sunglasses. Remember that these specs are purely designed to be a fashion accessory for the dog about town, not as eye protection.

Fashion Cool Cat Glasses*(paid link) look très cool.

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The round-framed, retro-style sunglasses have acrylic lenses and a metal frame with elasticated straps to help keep the shades in place.

Best Dog Goggles: Summary

Dog goggles are so much more than just a way of making your pet look cool on the beach or at the park. If you and your pet enjoy spending time outdoors together, especially during the summer months, there’s a risk that your dog could sustain eye damage. Bright UV rays, windblown dust and debris, and even salt water spay can all be irritating and potentially harmful to your pet’s eyes. A good-quality pair of dog goggles such as those we’ve featured in this article could help keep your pet safe and comfortable.

Does your dog wear dog goggles or dog sunglasses? Did you choose a brand that we featured in this guide? Share your story with us in the comments section below. We’d really love to know.

Affiliate link disclosure: Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.

References and Further Reading:

van Kuijk, F.J., 1991, “Effects of ultraviolet light on the eye: role of protective glasses,” Environmental Health Perspectives.