Taking care of a dog is something all pet owners love to do. However, your dog may have a few physical shortcomings due to a health condition or aging.
Blindness is also something that can be seen in particular dogs. Some dogs might develop this due to a health condition or as they grow older.
Whatever the reason, you must learn how to care for a blind dog. You must deal with these dogs with utmost patience.
Read on and find out what are the effective ways to care for blind or vision-impaired dogs.
How To Identify A Blind Dog?
First and foremost, you must know how to identify a blind dog correctly. Without that, you’d never know if your dog is vision-impaired.
You’d identify both physical and behavioral changes in a dog that is going blind.
Physical Changes
- Spots in the eye
- Cloudy eyes
- Redness or swelling around the eyes
- Pupils that don’t dilate normally
Behavioral Changes
- Anxiety when approached or in new environments
- Failing to make eye contact
- Bumping into things quite often
- Less interested in activities that used to excite them
- Avoiding furniture and stairs
You must take your dog to a vet if you identify any of the above symptoms.
How To Care For A Blind Dog?
You must address your dog’s symptoms and direct it to the vet. You must also take good care of your dog at all times.
Here’s how you can take care of a blind or vision-impaired dog.
Maintain Effective Communication
Communication is vital when dealing with a blind dog. You must communicate with your dog frequently and let it know where it is in space using scents, voice, and other cues.
Your voice will soothe your dog and let it know it’s in safe hands, especially in stressful situations.
Practice verbal cues with your dog to let it know when someone is approaching or opening the door.
Introducing these cues while your dog still has some vision will be helpful for it to manage fine once it goes fully blind.
Create A Predictable Environment
Creating a comfortable environment for your dog, who has lost his vision recently, is vital. The first thing you should do is change the house’s floor plan so that your dog can move around the house without being anxious about getting hurt.
With some trial and error, your dog will get used to the new settings. Ensure your dog’s food and water bowls are kept at an accessible location.
You can use textured rugs and mats to mark where the bowls are so that your dog can quickly identify them.
Keep Your Dog Safe From External Threats
Your dog is at a higher risk for certain dangers once it loses its vision. It may not be able to detect traffic and other threats as well as it used to before losing its sight.
Use the same path when taking your dog for a walk, as it will get used to this route. Investing in a blind dog harness is an excellent way to let passers-by know your dog is vision impaired.
Remove sharp objects from your backyard, so your dog doesn’t get hurt when playing there.
Provide Ample Enrichment Opportunities
Being blind doesn’t mean that your dog can’t have fun. Some games may not be ideal for playing with a blind dog, but you can play a rousing game of tug with it.
Another ideal enrichment activity is playing scent-based games with your dog. You can play hide-and-seek in a familiar environment or hide one of your dog’s favorite toys so that it can search for them.
Use A Virtual GPS Dog Fence
Are you worried that your dog will go beyond boundaries without your knowledge? A virtual GPS dog fence will alert you if your blind dog attempts to go beyond its designated limit.
That way, you don’t have to keep your dog trapped in a confined space and can let it run freely instead.
The virtual GPS dog fence will notify you if your dog tries to move beyond boundaries and thus will keep it safe from external threats.
IPet Guides’s Review will give you a review of the best virtual fence and GPS tracking system for your furry friend.
Supervise Interaction With Other Pets And Animals
Since your dog can’t see, it may not be able to identify some of the cues other dogs give to it. It could cause issues when other dogs try to communicate with you.
Always supervise when your dog is around other dogs, especially a new or unreliable one.
Given the situation, it’s best to keep them separated if you have doubts about how either dog will respond.
Deal With Patience
You could feel a bit tired and frustrated when dealing with a blind dog. However, being patient and understanding your dog’s situation is essential. Over time, your dog will get used to its new life, and you’ll find it much easier to deal with.
Until then, be patient and let your dog get adjusted to its new life. After all, a blind dog needs a lot of love, affection, and care, which you must give it in abundance.
Blind Dog Activities
Dogs are energetic animals constantly looking for ways to release this energy. Therefore, you must keep your dog engaged in different activities that provide it with the physical and mental stimulation it needs.
Here are some activities that you can do with a blind dog.
Talking Ball Fetch With Your Dog
Talking balls are made explicitly for blind dogs. These balls emit a noise so that your dog can find it using its senses.
The best place to play with it is in your backyard or park, where fewer things are in between your dog and the ball.
You can even play hide-and-seek by hiding the ball and asking your dog to find it using its senses.
Tug Of War With Your Dog
Tug of war is an easy game you can play with your blind dog. Get a safe toy or rope and ask your dog to hold it from one end while you hold on from the other.
Pull back and forth and see who wins. It’s an easy game to play with your blind dog.
Final Thoughts
Having a blind dog doesn’t mean you or your dog must suffer. There are many ways to manage a normal life with a blind dog.
Ensure there is an effective mode of communication between you and your dog. You must be patient with your vision-impaired dog and treat it with much love, affection, and care.
A blind dog that is treated well will feel confident enough to face anything that comes its way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does A Blind Dog See?
Blind dogs can see some shapes and lights. They may turn their heads in the direction in which a light source is moving or if someone is approaching it.
How Do You Approach A Blind Dog?
Approach a blind dog slowly, without a rush. Speak to it all the time and take care not to get too close to it suddenly, as this could confuse it.
How Can You Help A Dog With Day Blindness?
Take your dog out for a walk on a leash. You can use sunglasses specifically for dogs to protect your dog’s eyes from the sun.
