It’s natural that many dog lovers would be upset by the prospect of their beloved friend becoming blind, and regardless of the initial cause of vision loss, it can be especially hard to watch when our dogs are confused or distressed by such a major change. It’s also not unusual for owners to feel completely unprepared to care for a blind dog, and many might think that this is the end of their dog’s enjoyment in life. Take heart, however – though the transition can be difficult for dogs at first, most of them adapt very well, and with our assistance, they learn to get around almost as well as before, allowing them to continue living rich and happy lives.
To begin with, it’s important to realize that every dog might react differently to becoming blind – some easygoing pups might take it in stride and adjust within a matter of a week or two, while others go through a period of withdrawal or even depression at the beginning. Here are the basics when beginning to care for your non-visual friend.
- Make their home safe and secure. Protecting your pup from danger is essential right from the very start, since falls and inadvertent blunders are a possibility. Block off access to pools, use gates to restrict your dog’s access to stairs, and bump-proof sharp edges and corners that your dog might walk into. If you’re not able to supervise your dog as they’re adjusting, keep them in a secure crate or limited area to prevent them from getting into troublesome situations.