As your pet ages, conditions that damage their vision may affect them. Blind pets can function quite well once they adjust to their situation, and in cases where the blindness is gradual, you may not notice your senior pet is going blind. Being aware of your pet’s condition can help you ensure their home life is as stress-free as possible. 

What conditions cause blindness in senior pets?

Many conditions can cause blindness in senior pets. Depending on the cause, the vision loss may be gradual or sudden. Some causes include:

Cataracts — The eye lens becomes progressively opaque. This is common as pets age, and especially in pets affected by diabetes. Your pet’s vision loss will typically be gradual if they develop cataracts, and their eyes will appear cloudy.

Glaucoma — The pressure inside the eye is increased because the aqueous fluid cannot drain appropriately. If the pressure inside the eye gets high enough, the retina and optic nerve can be affected, resulting in sudden blindness. However, before blindness occurs, your senior pet may exhibit signs including eye discharge, protrusion of one or both eyes, and a blue cornea.

Hypertension — If your senior pet has high blood pressure that goes untreated, the increased pressure can cause damage to the vessels that nourish the retina, resulting in retinal detachment, and sudden vision loss. Senior pets affected by hypertension have varying signs, depending on the cause of the increased blood pressure.

How will I know if my senior pet is blind?

If blindness is sudden, your senior pet may be distressed, but senior pets can be good at hiding their vulnerabilities. If their blindness is gradual, most senior pets acclimate well, and you may have a hard time realizing they have a problem. If your pet is going gradually blind, you may notice they seem clumsy, have difficulty finding toys, get startled easily, and have lower energy levels. They may also have visible changes to their eyes.

How can I help my blind senior pet?

You may not be able to bring back your senior pet’s vision, but you can make their home environment safe and familiar, and decrease their stress levels. Some measures include:

Give them time to adjust — Especially if vision loss is sudden, your pet will need time to adjust to their new situation. They may be afraid at first until they learn to rely on their other senses to help them navigate the world. Practice patience in the early stages, and allow them to figure out how they will handle their new circumstances. Refrain from carrying them around, and try not to overprotect them. Your senior pet will have more confidence if they are allowed to be independent and to learn their environment through other senses.

Keep their environment consistent — Once they have adjusted to their situation, your senior pet will begin navigating their environment better, but that environment should not change. Do not move their food or water bowls. Do not move your furniture around. Do not move your senior cat’s litter box. Keep your floors and surfaces free from clutter, to prevent tripping. Do not close doors that you usually leave open. When you walk your dog, take the same route every time, to give them more confidence.

Talk to your senior pet frequently — Talk to your senior pet, so they know where they can find you if they want to be near you. Talk to them as you approach, and before you touch them, to prevent startling them. Your voice will also comfort them as they adjust to an upsetting situation.

Safeguard dangerous areas — Pad sharp furniture edges and doorways until your senior pet has learned to navigate their surroundings. Block off stairways to prevent falls. Remove objects that could be knocked over, or off surfaces, if your senior pet bumps them.

Tell people your senior pet is blind — Blind pets should not be approached or touched suddenly. When out walking, outfit your senior dog in a vest or scarf that reads, “I am blind.” When you have visitors, ensure they know your senior pet is blind, and that they should speak to them before they slowly approach them.

If your senior pet’s vision loss or another condition has decreased their quality of life, veterinary hospice or our telehospice service may benefit them through this difficult time. You can also check out our other resource page regarding vision problems and blindness.