Dogs care about being safe, warm, loved and fed. While they rely on their vision, canines are easy-going enough to cope pretty well when their vision starts to fade due to age, glaucoma or another condition. That said, if you notice your dog bumping into things, getting clumsy, getting lazier or having other problems, it’s time for a visit to the vet.
In some cases, vision loss can be delayed or minimized with the right treatment. In other cases, you may need to learn how to care for a blind dog. We’ve put together the best blind dog care tips to help you care for your loved one now that they need you even more:
- Rely on your voice: You probably already gab at your dog all the time. After all, your canine friend can’t remind you that they’ve heard the story of your senior prom four times now. When your dog is losing their vision, your voice can be soothing to them. By talking more, you'll make sure your dog can orient themselves more easily as to where you are. That way, you’re less likely to startle them.
- Have a cozy spot: Create a warm and cozy spot for your dog, or jazz up their usual cozy spot, whether that’s a soft bed or a favorite pillow. This area should be one the dog can always get to easily to feel safe.
- Keep to a routine: Stick with a regular routine and take your dog to the spots they recognize. Keeping to a routine creates a sense of safety for both of you and will help your dog know what’s next, even without the benefit of sight.
- Make your dog safe: Make sure your dog wears a tag or indicator of vision problems so that others know not to approach too suddenly. Crawl around your house (yes, really) and look for any hazards you need to remove since your friend can’t see as well. Try to keep many things in the same spot so that your dog can easily figure out where they are.
Caring for a Newly Blind Dog
Caring for a dog who is slowly losing their sight is very different from the situation you’re in if an injury suddenly robs your best friend of sight. In such a case, follow these tips for caring for a blind dog:
- Set up food and water first: It's best to place food and water somewhere near the door, where you can bring your dog each time you come home. That way, they can slowly get to know the rest of the house again from a recognizable starting point. Use wet food at first. Since it smells stronger, it will be easier for your dog to find. If they're having trouble drinking, use a baby bottle first.
- Use sound: Try to get your dog to follow your fingers snapping or the sound of your voice. Leave a radio turned down very low near the water bowl so that they can find their way.
Above all, you need lots of patience when your best friend loses their sight. With a little work together, though, the two of you can get back to having fun and enjoying adventures together. If you're ready to bring a dog into your family now, contact Golden Meadows Retrievers.