Dog Side Eye Meme Culture: Why are Dog Side Eyes Funny?
At one point or another, all have been obsessed with the “dog bombastic side eye” trend. The origin of this classic started with a dog side eye meme. Yes, the adorable way of mimicking a human’s judging face had the internet going crazy. But dogs usually don’t do that, right? Wrong, because dogs like many other animals use their body language to communicate with their owners. This also includes the puppy eye and the dog side eye.
So what does it mean when a dog gives a side eye? According to experts, it can mean several things from simple judgment to communication of emotional distress. Some dogs even use side eyes to simply acknowledge your presence while their attention is directed to an interesting activity. How then can you decode the mystery of your dog bombastic side eye? This blog is here to explain it all for you.
What is dog side eye called?
Commonly referred to as “side eye” a dog’s side eye is more technically called the “whale eye”. It’s not because dogs look like whales when giving you that look but because a common phenomenon is observed in whales. While navigating through dark underwater, whales expose the whites of their eyes to broaden their vision. It can also be a sign of danger or threat.
When a dog is looking at you, without turning its head, it exposes the sclera (white part of the eye) which looks similar to that of a whale. Additionally, it can also turn into a “half-moon eye” when the sclera forms a half-moon shape.
While a human side eye is straightforward forward judgemental, a dog side eye can mean more than that. Depending on the context your dog is either saying, “Why so stupid, owner?” “I’m kinda feeling sad now,” or “Look over there! Look over there!” To understand what does dog side eye means, you need to observe the entire body language of your dog.
Also Read:10 Reasons Not to Get a Shih Tzu Dog; Why Shih Tzu Are the Worst Dogs?
What Does Dog Side Mean?
A side eye dog can mean several things including how they are about to snap because their daily stock of patience is running out. Here are the 7 most common things about what does dog side eye mean.
Running out of Patience
If your dog is having a bad or it has had enough of putting up with irritating things, the dog side eye can be a warning bell. To understand if it’s getting out of hand, you can read the body language of your furry friend. Here are the common body language signs to look for;
- Dilated Pupils
- Constant licking of its lips
- Complete stillness of body
- Barring out its teeth or gums
- Avoiding eye contact
- Soft growls
- Perked-up ears (Varies across dog breeds)
- Unusual positioning of the tail, either tucked in or held stiffly upright
- Deep breathing
- Drooling
These clues are well just clues. It’s the responsibility of the owner to draw possible conclusions and act accordingly to save the day.
Possessive About Toys
Your dog might love you no doubt but at times it can also get possessive about its toys or food. When you approach your dog while it is enjoying something, you might get the “Back off” side eye. In situations like this, you can either let your dog enjoy its time, if there’s no harm in it or distract it with some treats.
Toddlers Trigger
Do you want to know why do dogs side eye, particularly around children. Many dog breeds are not so fond of children and their aggression. While your pet will not be unwelcoming, it might also not enjoy the constant fur grabbing, and ear pulling. In situations like these, a dog side eye is a plea to be saved from the torture.
Feeding Sessions
Like many people, dogs want to enjoy their meals without you constantly breaking down their fur. This might not be true for all dog breeds but if you are on the receiving end of the dog bombastic side-eye, you need to retreat. Let your pup savour its food and watch it become a cuddly, fluffy dog in no time.
New Pets and Strangers
In our dog breed guide, we have explained how some dogs don’t like being around other pets or strangers. So if you got the judging dog side eye it’s because your canine is not so happy about sharing its space and your attention with other animals, including the social animals called humans. To soothe your pet you can make them feel important by giving them attention till they get used to the situation.
New Locations
Change of place or situations can be triggering for many pets including dogs. This is why your dog might opt for the side eye to let you know that they are not enjoying the change. In such situations where the dog gives side eye to owner, you should pay close attention to minimize your furry friend’s discomfort and make them feel safe.
Illness or Discomfort
Ever wondered: “why does my dog side eye me?” Not all dog side eye situations are related to the dog’s mood or environment. At times dogs also use specific gestures to indicate problems with their physical and mental health. The illness and physical discomfort might lead to depression and anxiety. The best way to be sure if a vet appointment is necessary, check the colour of the sclera. If the whites of your dog’s eyes are not as clear as they should be or appear red or yellow, drive to the hospital ASAP.
Why are dog side eyes funny?
Understanding the meaning of a dog side eye does not clarify why are dog side eyes funny. The reason is man’s tendency to project human behaviour on other organisms. For us, a side eye is a sign of sarcasm. Now imagine your little puppy acting all sassy and smug while giving you the attitude. This uncanny resemblance of a dog’s side eye to human emotions is what makes the situation hilarious. It is one of the reasons why the dog side eye meme culture was created.
Not to forget the addition of creative captions by dog owners as they share adorable dog side eye pictures such as; “When you catch your human eating without you” to “When they say ‘vet’”.
Dog Side Eye Pictures
7 MEANINGS OF A DOG SIDE EYE
Conclusion
Dogs give their owners side eyes to communicate about their feelings and emotions. The dog side eye can represent environmental stress, illness, discomfort, and of course judgement. The adorable way of dogs judging their owners gave birth to the dog side eye meme culture making pet owners and others swoon over the pictures. Not to forget the laughter that followed the memes.
