If the hair around your dog's eyes has grown long enough to poke into them or block their view, a careful trim can make your dog far more comfortable. It is one of the most common jobs I do in the salon, and it is also one of the trickiest to get right at home, because you are working with sharp scissors a few millimetres from a delicate eye. The short answer is yes, you can tidy the fur around your dog's eyes yourself, but only with the right tools, a calm dog, and a good deal of caution.
Below is exactly how I approach it, the kit I would trust near an eye, and the honest moment when I would put the scissors down and book a groomer instead.
Why the fur around the eyes needs attention
Overgrown eye fur is not just a cosmetic thing. Long hairs can rub against the surface of the eye and cause irritation, watering or even infection over time. On many breeds the fringe also traps tear staining and gunk, which builds up into a crusty, matted mess right in the corner of the eye.
Breeds like Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Poodles, Bichons, Cockapoos and Old English Sheepdogs all grow hair that will happily cover the eyes if left. Keeping a tidy line above and around the eye helps your dog see properly and keeps that sensitive area clean and dry.
Use the right tools, never ordinary scissors
The single most important rule is to use blunt-tip (rounded-end) scissors made for grooming. These have a safe, ball-tipped end so that if your dog jerks their head, the point cannot jab the eye. Never use pointed kitchen or craft scissors near a dog's face.
My near-the-eye kit is simple:
- Blunt-tip / rounded-tip grooming scissors for the delicate work close to the eye.
- A fine comb to lift the hair away from the skin before you cut.
- A damp cotton pad or wipe to soften and remove any crusty tear stains first.
- Good light so you can see exactly what you are doing.
Groomer's tip: Rest the hand holding the scissors gently against your dog's head or muzzle so your hand moves with the dog. If they twitch, your whole hand moves as one and the blade stays a safe distance from the eye.
A safe step-by-step trim
Take your time. This is not a job to rush.
- Settle your dog first. Choose a moment when they are calm, not bouncy. A lick mat or a helper offering treats can keep them still.
- Clean the area. Wipe away any tear staining or crust with a damp pad so you can see the natural hairline.
- Comb the hair up and away from the eye. Never point the scissor tips towards the eye. Hold the blades parallel to the face, or point them away, and snip small amounts.
- Trim tiny bits at a time. Take off a little, check, take off a little more. You cannot put hair back on.
- Work with the direction of the hair, trimming the fringe to just above the eye so your dog can see clearly without hair falling into the eye.
- Stop the second your dog gets wriggly. A fidgeting dog and sharp scissors near an eye is not worth the risk. Try again another day.
If you only ever cut when the dog is still and you only ever snip small amounts, you keep the whole thing low-risk.
When to leave it to a groomer
Please be honest with yourself about your dog and your own steadiness. I would always recommend a professional if:
- Your dog is wriggly, nervous or head-shy and will not hold still.
- The hair is badly matted or stuck to the eye with dried gunk.
- There is any redness, discharge, swelling or squinting, which needs a vet, not a trim.
- You simply do not feel confident with scissors that close to an eye.
There is no shame in this at all. A professional groom around the face is quick, safe and stress-free when it is done by someone who does it every day. If you would like us to keep on top of it, take a look at our grooming prices and packages, or get in touch and we will sort a regular face-tidy into your dog's routine. The Royal Kennel Club also has good general guidance on getting your dog comfortable with handling, which makes home trims far easier.
Frequently asked questions
What scissors should I use to trim the fur around my dog's eyes?
Always use blunt-tip or rounded-end grooming scissors, never pointed kitchen or craft scissors. The rounded tip means that if your dog suddenly moves, the blade cannot jab the eye.
How do I trim my dog's eye fur without hurting them?
Clean the area first, comb the hair up and away from the eye, keep the scissor tips pointed away from the eye, and only snip a few millimetres at a time. Stop immediately if your dog will not stay still.
How often should the hair around my dog's eyes be trimmed?
It depends on the breed and how fast the coat grows, but most long-haired dogs need a face and eye tidy every three to six weeks to stop the hair reaching the eyes.
Should I trim my dog's eyelashes or the hair right in the corner of the eye?
No. Leave the very fine hair and eyelashes to a professional groomer. The corner of the eye is far too delicate to attempt at home, and a groomer can do it safely in seconds.
Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. If the fur around your dog's eyes needs a safe, gentle tidy, we would be glad to help. Book a grooming session.