On the list of things that are important to dogs, you might think about family, treats, and toys—in no particular order. However, it might surprise you to know that for a dog, losing sight will likely fall in the “no big deal” category. In fact, dog owners are more likely to be upset and traumatised by their pet’s sight loss than the dog themselves. Your furry friend is more caught up with concerns such as spending time with their owner and being safe, warm, and fed. One reassuring thing to note when looking after a blind dog is that it’s possible for them to lead very happy lives even as their vision fades.
Signs of a dog losing sight
If your dog’s eyesight is on the decline, you may notice the following symptoms of dog vision loss:
- Increased clumsiness
- Difficulty finding toys
- Easily startled
- Cloudiness and/or red blood vessels in the eyes
- Noticeable eye pain
- Lower energy levels
If you see these signs, ask your vet to recommend an eye specialist for a consultation. If your older dog doesn’t romp around as much as they used to, it might actually be because they don’t see as well as they used to—and restoring or improving your dog’s vision may even restore some of their youthful energy and activity levels. Dog vision loss due to conditions like cataracts or glaucoma can sometimes be repaired or slowed through medical treatment or surgery.
If you have a definitive diagnosis of irreversible vision loss from a vet, don’t panic. Given some time and assistance, your dog will learn to compensate by using other senses like hearing, smell, and touch—all of which are already very keen in our canine friends.
Here are 18 tips for looking after a blind dog and helping your four-legged friend navigate life at home and outdoors with vision loss.
1. Give your dog a safe space.
It’s important to establish an area that’s cosy and safe—like a retreat for your blind pet. A soft and welcoming bed can be a wonderfully comfortable spot for dogs with fading vision.
2. Talk to your dog frequently.
Your dog is already your most trusted confidant, so having regular conversations with your blind pooch will be even more important. The sound of your voice can help them figure out where they are. Use your voice to get their attention before touching them so you don’t startle them.
3. Keep a consistent routine.
Some dog owners swear by keeping a regular daily routine to give their pets a sense of security and orientation as their sight begins to change. Consider walking familiar routes and taking them to favourite spots.
4. Let others know your dog is blind.
Get a shirt, bandana, or vest for your dog that says “I’m blind” to wear on walks. Tell people about your dog’s condition so they approach slowly and let the dog sniff them first. Also, get a tag for your dog’s collar that says “I’m blind” in case they ever get lost.
5. Create location cues.
If your hall has a distinct rug, it could be a cue your blind dog will remember. Some pet owners recommend using a carpet runner in key areas of the home to keep a dog losing their sight oriented.
6. Dog-proof your home.
Get down on all fours and crawl around your home looking for hazards, such as things your dog could bump into or fall from. Put corner protectors on sharp furniture and baby gates at the tops of stairs until your dog can safely tackle staircases.
7. Always keep food and water in the same place.
Once your dog has learned where their food is, it will be easier for them to return to it—and it will become another location cue.
8. Use scents during activities.
A dog is a dog, so they can still fetch! You can and should continue to engage in active play. Rub a dog treat or put a small drop of essential oil on a dog toy before throwing it to help your pooch find it, and choose an open, safe area for them to play in.
9. Walk your blind dog through the house.
You can help your dog create a house roadmap. Putting them on the lead and going for “walkies” around the home will help them find their way around.
10. Try a new water dish.
A fountain-style dog bowl that constantly circulates water is practical for a blind dog because it makes noise. The sound of running water will help your dog find it more easily.
11. Leave the TV on.
Even pets who haven’t lost their sight enjoy ambient noise. Keeping a TV or radio on while you’re gone not only orients your dog to different rooms of the house, it also reduces feelings of loneliness.
12. Choose toys that make noise.
Toys that give treats, squeak, talk, or make noise are especially rewarding for blind dogs.
13. Create sounds around your house.
Attach small bells to your shoes or to other pets’ collars to help your dog hear you moving about the house. This is a useful temporary solution until they are more familiar with listening to the sounds of footsteps and vibrations from movement.
14. Don’t change the floor plan.
Once you have arranged the furniture in a room in a way that’s safe for your dog and allows for ease of movement, try not to change it again. If you do, your pet may become disoriented or even hurt themselves bumping into things.
15. Use textured rugs in your house.
Place rugs or floor mats of different textures near the outside doors and at the top and bottom of stairs. This will help your dog identify these locations.
16. Keep the floor clear of objects.
Tidiness now needs to be your strong suit. Toys, shoes, clothes, or other objects on the floor quickly become tripping hazards for a blind dog, so keep the areas they frequent most free of clutter.
17. Try a blind dog “halo”.
Several companies manufacture circular halos that are worn on a harness or vest, surrounding the blind dog’s head and face. The blind dog halo works by bumping into furniture or other obstructions before your dog does, and can be reassuring for blind dogs.
18. Introduce new commands to increase safety.
Teach your dog important words like “step up,” “step down,” “left,” “right,” “danger”, or “stop” to help them navigate the inside and outside world in the safest way possible.
Above all, don’t forget to treat your pooch just like you would any other beloved pet—because that’s what they are, first and foremost.