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Although Casey is unable to see, he enjoys outings with his person, Pat Koven. Courtesy Pat Koven, BA, LVT, KPACTP, LSHC-S

The cause of blindness in animals can vary. The following article goes over some common ways to ease stress and enrich the life of your blind pet.

Decrease Stress

Blind pets can become disoriented in their own homes and environment, leading to confusion and injuries such as bumping into things or falling. Try to:

• Avoid or minimize rearranging furniture
• Keep all walkways clear of clutter
• Consider the landmarks in your pet’s life: food bowls, water, beds, litter boxes, and toy boxes.

Keep your pet contained in a smaller area when introducing a new environment. As the area becomes familiar to your pet, gradually expand the space. When you are not around to supervise your pet, confine them to a crate, pen, or small room. If your dog is used to having free access to their crate, tie open the crate door to keep them from getting confused if the door moves.

You may find that using different scents, sounds, or physical markers around the home can help your pet navigate without sight. A common method is to designate certain essential oil scents for types of areas, including dividing dog-safe areas from areas that may be dangerous, such as stairs. Ensure any oils you use are xylitol or polyphenol-free for safety. The most used scents include citrus, vanilla, lavender, fish, and peanut butter, though others can be used. These oils may need to be reapplied every three days to start with, but can be eventually spaced out to every few weeks.

Begin with one scent at a time, then slowly add other markers once your pet understands what each scent means. Start by adding a scent to a location, and guiding your pet there when needed, such as placing a scent near the water bowl, then bringing your pet there to smell the area and drink. Sound cues for the home and yard include chimes or music. Physical cues such as runners, mulch, and sand pathways can help your pet feel where they are in the yard once they understand this. These cues are introduced like different scent indicators to the animal, adding one at a time while guiding your pet as needed.

Cats and dogs have excellent hearing and senses of smell. However, these senses may not always allow them to know precisely where every member of the family is. Bells tied to your pets’ collars and people’s shoes help your pet know where everyone is around them.

When adjusting to vision loss or unfamiliar environments, keep blind pets on a leash or in a fenced area outside. Your voice can guide your pet while on walks. For animals with partial vision loss, ensuring the outside area is lit at night can help them feel comfortable.

You can get down to your pet’s eye level to assess for any potential dangers. To make your home safer, consider:

• Baby gates to block off any stairs or balconies
• Ramps from high places that cats climb
• Halo harnesses or bumper vests for pets running into things
• Fence off any body of water
• Trim low branches that your pet may run into.

If your pet still struggles with fear after vision loss, consider consulting with your veterinarian about other ways to help with their fear. Some pets may develop new or increased signs of stranger aggression or separation anxiety with vision loss. Your veterinarian may prescribe supplements or medications for temporary or long-term use. In certain cases, you may be referred to a veterinary behaviorist for other ways to ease your pet’s stress.

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Enrichment

You may need to select new toy types that still appeal to your pet’s interests. Toys that make noise or are scented are usually better for blind pets. Cats often enjoy foil balls and catnip toys. Squeaky toys or tug of war ropes can still be used for most dogs. Puzzle feeders that encourage smelling may also be used with treats or regular food.

Many blind animals are trained using voice commands with positive reinforcement. Pets that have gone blind suddenly may need to be retrained on simple tasks, such as using the stairs. Verbal cues such as “stop”, “turn”, or “up” are often used. While it can be tempting to help whenever they struggle, it is important to encourage independence by allowing them to do tasks on their own. If they are having trouble navigating challenging terrain, such as stairs, hallways, or yards, you can try using treats in your hand as a lure to guide them to the correct place without carrying them. If they make it successfully, reward them!

Walking on their own around the home is vital when learning the layout. Scent glands on an animal's paws allow them to navigate places they have been by smelling their own scent trails. If they are getting too disoriented, try guiding them to a well-known location, such as the food bowl, and allowing them to try again.

Long-Term Outlook

Many blind pets live low-stress, playful lives. In fact, it is important for animals that go blind suddenly to encourage them to return to previously enjoyed activities, when possible, such as hiking, playing with toys, and trick training. For dogs and cats, sounds and scents are often as important as seeing. By keeping a consistent routine and taking advantage of your pet’s other senses in creative ways, most pets adjust well to blindness.

In more severe cases, a veterinarian may be needed to help manage your pet’s stress associated with vision loss.