Vision loss in your pet presents a variety of challenges, both for the pet and the pet owner. A pet that has lost its eyesight, whether partially or completely, forces the owner to reconsider the pet’s safety and perhaps change routines and outdoor access. The medical causes of vision loss can vary, from glaucoma and cancer of the eye, typically seen in older pets, to severe upper respiratory infection that can impair the vision of young pets like kittens.
This blogpost will discuss some of the challenges of having a blind pet.
How do dogs cope with visual impairment?
Glaucoma and Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome (SARDS) are the main causes of blindness in dogs. Glaucoma can be very painful and surgical removal of the affected eye can be lifechanging for the dog. SARDS is not painful at all, but because the onset of blindness is rapid, a dog with SARDS can be initially disoriented until it learns to cope with its disability.
How do cats cope with vision loss?
Several years ago, I had a pair of foster kittens. One had normal eyes and the other’s eyes were blinded from an upper respiratory virus. The blind kitten got very anxious if the sighted kitten was removed from their pen for a bath or medication. He seemed to rely on the sighted kitten to show him the ropes. They were adopted together and are living their best life in a big house with lots of rooms and stairs, which the blind cat has learned to navigate just fine. A perfect example of how cats readily adapt to being blind. Additional information about blind cats can be found in the book Caring for a Blind Cat.
How do pet owners cope with their pet’s disability?
Vision loss in a pet presents an emotional challenge for pet owners. Anger and sadness commonly follow a diagnosis of blindness in pets. People with blind pets report frequently hearing negative comments from strangers they encounter on the street.
Many owners are therefore uncertain if their pet is happy and worry euthanasia might be the best solution. However, after an adjustment period, most owners conclude their pet is happy and well adapted to its disability. Don’t listen to comments from strangers on the street. Only you know what is best for your pet.
Managing a Blind Pet
One of the most important ways to help your blind pet adapt to their disability is to keep their environment stable. For example, don’t rearrange the furniture. Talk to your blind pet often so they know your whereabouts. Ambient noise, like fans and air conditioners may impact a blind pet’s ability to hear, so keep that in mind. They can’t see you, but if they hear you, they can find you.
I found a number of products to help blind pets online. They include harnesses, leashes, collars and bandanas imprinted with “blind dog” to let others know about their disability. There is also a dog harness with a bumper or halo to help them navigate in strange environments. This website with resources for blind dogs has suggestions that could help cats as well.
To learn more about vision loss in pets from AMC’s board-certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Sandra van der Woerdt, watch the video from her presentation hosted by AMC’s Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education.
Our colleagues at the Royal Veterinary College in England are requesting dog owner participation in their study on the impact of vision loss in dogs. Eligible dogs are between three and eight years old can have any form of vision loss. Here is a link to their online survey.