Care of a visually impaired pet may at first seem over-whelming, but with a little information and with a little time, most find that they and their pets accommodate well. Keep in mind that pets have an acuity of senses other than vision that we do not have and may not appreciate (ie: smell, taste, hearing). They use these acute senses to accommodate to visual loss.
If your pet has experienced a sudden loss of vision, there will be initial confusion, but given time (3-8 weeks), most pets will memorize their surroundings and use other cues for localization. It will be helpful to keep their surroundings constant. Pets that lose vision slowly adjust more easily, doing so with the gradual visual change.
A visually impaired pet can have a very good quality life and is happy pet with your loving help and reassurance.
Below are some helpful guidelines from Animal Eye Doctors for care:
1) Be supportive while your pet memorizes the surroundings. Your pet will learn as they navigate. Make their navigation safe by removing or barricading dangerous obstacles such as stairs and pools. Keep your pet (dog) in a fenced area when outdoors (no open roadsides, no unfenced pools, etc). A pet cat would do best kept indoors.
2) Some pets will benefit from the use of a hoop on a harness (see handout) that will act as a “bumper” when they are learning to navigate.
3) Utilize their other senses (smell, touch, hearing). Use scents such as perfume or scented oil to identify different areas. Use different textured rugs, runners, or flooring. A soft playing radio or TV in certain areas can also help them with locale.
4) Consider the use of the “Safety Turtle”, if you have a pool. This monitor attaches to a collar or harness and if wet, an alarm will sound from a monitor.
5) Approach your pet slowly while speaking, to avoid startling your pet.
6) Encourage play with toys that make noise or toys with a scent (toys in which you can place a treat that the pet can smell). One of my patients born visually impaired was able to catch a ball in mid-air by listening.
7) Use a harness to provide more support while walking your pet, rather than a neck collar. A sign on the harness to indicate that your pet is blind will alert other people to not startle your pet. Walk a routine path to allow your pet to memorize the way.
8) Use verbal cues. Pets will memorize words. For example: stop, start, up, down, curb, etc. One of my clients taught his pet over 100 words and directional cues.
9) Pets with low vision may do better with lights on or the use of night lights at night.
10) Some pets will follow your other pets for guidance. Keep in mind, however, that the visual pet may become aggressive with a visually impaired pet, or your visually impaired pet may be more defensive with other pets.
Contact Animal Eye Doctors for helpful advice in care of a visually impaired pet.
Also, check out the websites: Blindtails.com and BlindDogsSupport.com
