How To Care For A Blind Dog?

2023 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 22:49

If you notice any sign that your dog is losing sight, you should consult your veterinarian immediately

Blindness is loss of vision in both eyes, which can be caused by several reasons, such as glaucoma, corneal diseases, cancer, eye injuries, retinal diseases, etc. If your dog has lost his sight, he will need special care in which he can live a long and happy life. Dogs, like humans, adapt to blindness, so the dog should be taught to rely on its other senses.

Dogs live in the world of smell, so their sense of smell is the most developed sense. Hearing in dogs is incredibly acute compared to humans. They can hear sounds over a wider range of frequencies and from a greater distance than we can. Guard and watchdogs use their hearing, along with their sense of smell, to spot potential intruders, sometimes even over long distances.

At home, you will need to help your pet adapt to its new blind world. Follow these tips:

Be patient. For pets disoriented by the sudden onset of blindness, it may take several weeks to adjust to the condition. Pets that gradually lose their eyesight do much better because they have time to adjust to their reduced vision. It's amazing how well pets adapt to blindness. Very often, owners find that their pet has gone blind only after buying new furniture or moving into a new home, noticing that their pet is bumping into objects.

Since dogs' sense of smell and hearing are highly developed, they are much less dependent on sight than we think. For this reason, their lives can be almost the same after they adjust to blindness.

Be consistent. In the home, blind pets rely on their memory to help them navigate. The most important thing you can do for your dog is to keep things in the same order in the house as before. It's important to be consistent. For example, don't move furniture. Instruct your children not to do this either. Do not place any objects where your dog normally walks. For example, a pair of shoes or toys can be a problem for your blind pet if you leave them on the way to his bowl.

Return items to their places after you have taken them. For example, chairs moved from their usual places to the table for receiving guests. Pets can easily trip or bump into these objects and this can injure or disorient them.

Provide a safe place for your dog to eat and rest. Do not move her bowls, especially water, and the bed, keep the toys in a specific place.

Do not try to carry your dog from one place to another, it can be confusing. If the blind dog moves to the place that it needs, it will be better oriented. At first, until the dog has adjusted, you can accompany him around the house.

If your pet seems "lost" or disoriented, reward him with loving words while walking around the house. Talk to him, encouraging him to approach you, guided by his voice. If the dog is “lost”, take him back to the starting point to start the route again.

Many animals use the fine hairs on their faces (whiskers) and eyebrows (vibrissae) as antennae. These hairs are very sensitive, helping the animal to recognize objects and collect air currents. If your pet is blind, never trim these hairs so that he can use them to detect and recognize objects.

Talk to your dog, use your voice to wake him up instead of touching him. Many blind animals are frightened by unexpected touches. Some dogs may bite when frightened.

Using a bell collar will help you know your dog's location.

Ensure safety. It is important to provide your blind dog with a safe environment. Take a close look at your home:

1. Barrier the radiators and pool.

2. Insulate all sharp objects, especially if they are at eye level of the animal.

3. Block your pet's access to fireplaces, open stairs, balconies and other potentially dangerous areas.

4. Make sure that your dog always has identification marks: a collar with an identifier keychain, a brand, a microchip. After all, if a blind dog gets lost, it will not be able to find its way home on its own. Mark on the key fob that the dog is blind.

Set up a fixed place for bowls. Set up a specific place for bowls of food and water, and never change it! Be sure to make sure the dog can find its water bowl. Use a specific sound before feeding so the dog knows what is coming and can focus on that sound. Feed her always at the same time.

Control your dog outside. Always take your dog for a walk outside by keeping it on a leash, or restrict its walking area with a fence if you have a private home. A blind dog is at great risk of being injured on the street because it cannot detect danger and avoid it. You should be her eyes and carefully avoid objects that the dog may bump into.

Never let your blind dog walk outside without a leash. If you take her out for a walk in the garden, examine all fences, flower pots, bushes, and trees for any sharp objects that could injure the dog.

Stimulate your senses. Blind pets rely on their other senses to help them navigate their new surroundings. Their sense of smell, touch and hearing are sharpened. Help your dog by talking to him for a walk. Praise her if she is on the right path, warn her if there is danger ahead.

Toys that contain balls and bells inside, squeaky toys, as well as puzzle toys with a treat inside, perfectly stimulate various senses and are good fun. Stimulate your dog's sense of smell and touch by frequently getting some fresh air and sunbathing. Heat your dog's food slightly to increase the odor.