[ad_1]
Older dogs can lead happy lives, even if they go blind. (Photo credit: Getty Images)
Gold Souls, Gray Faces is a series that focuses on tips and advice for the care of our dear senior dogs. As dogs get older, many of them begin to lose their eyesight for a variety of reasons. Sometimes blindness in dogs occurs very quickly, but sometimes it happens gradually.
If your dog is well acquainted with your home and its general environment, the symptoms of vision loss can be difficult to spot.
If you notice that your senior dog is more likely to bump into things, have trouble finding things, are hesitant when getting on or off furniture, have increasing anxiety, or show signs of aggression or fear when approached, then may experience loss of vision.
The good news is that there are many ways you can still give your seniors a good quality of life, even if they go blind. Here are nine ways you can help your senior dog if they start to lose their sight.
Do not panic
(Photo credit: yulkapopkova/Getty Images)
Some dog parents get very upset when their older dog starts going blind. They think life will be too hard for their old dog if they lose their sight and consider putting them to sleep.
If you have those thoughts, don’t panic. Your senior will get along just fine without their vision.
Dogs map the world primarily through their sense of smell, and many dogs’ other senses become stronger when they lose the ability to see. Your old pup can live a healthy and happy life for several more years without their vision.
Blindness is in no way a death sentence for older dogs, and it is quite manageable if you make certain adjustments and follow your vet’s advice.
-
Go to the vet first
(Photo Credit: Westend61/Getty Images)
Speaking of your vet, you should make an appointment with him as soon as you notice any symptoms of blindness in your dog.
Blindness can be caused by: medical conditions, genetics or injuriesand many of these causes are treatable. Sometimes blindness is a symptom of an underlying condition that can be noticed sooner if you see your vet.
There are also certain cases where vision can be fully or partially restored, and there are other cases where vision loss can be delayed or prevented from getting worse.
Make a vet visit before taking any further steps.
-
Focus on auditory training and commands
(Photo credit: PavelRodimov/Getty Images)
If you’ve been using hand gestures and other visual cues as part of your dog’s training, it’s time to move away from them.
Instead you would rely on verbal commands, and you may want to switch to clicker training, as these tactics will use your dog’s hearing rather than sight.
You can also teach them a command like “Caution” or “Slow” to let them know they are approaching a wall or object.
If you are concerned about the “you can’t teach an old dog new tricksCliche, fear not. That’s totally a myth. Seniors may need more patience, and they may need more breaks while exercising, but they are certainly capable of learning new things.
click here for an article on training blind dogs that you may find helpful.
-
Keep your home clean and organized
(Photo credit: marekuliasz/Getty Images)
If you tend to put things on the floor, or if you have kids who like to leave toys or backpacks lying around, it’s time to get organized.
A blind dog can easily trip or knock over things on the ground, and they can injure themselves, especially if they already have trouble getting around due to conditions such as arthritis.
A clean house is a much safer home for dogs that lose their sight, and seniors in particular will benefit from your organization.
-
Try to keep the environment consistent
(Photo Credit: Elizabeth Fernandez/Getty Images)
B
lind dogs often feel much less anxious when they are in a consistent environment where they feel comfortable knowing where everything is. If their beds, food bowls, toys and other items are in the same places, blind dogs can find them more easily.Keeping furniture in the same place prevents them from bumping into something. Older dogs also prefer a consistent environment, especially if they are suffering from the early stages of dementia.
A predictable environment will greatly reduce the fear of your blind senior.
-
Block dangerous areas
(Photo credit: kacoates/Getty Images)
If there are any dangerous areas that your dog could potentially get into, you’ll want to seal them off or make sure they are blocked in some way so your pup doesn’t get hurt.
Staircases or balustrades with wide openings are very dangerous indoor spaces, but there are also outdoor dangers. If you allow your blind dog in your yard, be sure to fence it off and block access to pools, ponds, rocky areas, or other dangerous areas.
You may even want to keep your dog on a leash and accompany him as it prevents accidents and gives him comfort and confidence to know you are around and protecting him. Always supervise your senior.
-
Buy toys that work with other senses
(Photo credit: USGirl/Getty Images)
Even though your dog is older, they can still benefit from play sessions. There are toys that are more user-friendly for blind dogs.
Toys with squeakers, bells or other noisemakers will help your senior find them, and scented toys will help your pup sniff them.
Treatment toys are another option that can keep your blind senior’s mind active. Just because your pup can’t see doesn’t mean they can’t play.
-
Take approaches slowly
(Photo credit: SashaFoxWalters/Getty Images)
Blind dogs tend to become a little more fearful when approached. If you want wake up your blind senior, you may want to make your presence known by saying their name out loud and then letting them smell you before you touch them.
You should also work on establishing a verbal cue, such as “Say hello” or “Hello,” to let your dog know when another human or dog is approaching. Tell the person who will greet your dog that your pup is blind and should take it easy.
Give your dog a chance to sniff the newcomer, and if your pup seems anxious, turns away, or shows disinterest, move on.
Let your senior decide who they want to meet, and go slow.
-
Buy or make useful devices
(Photo credit: Mike Clark)
My older Dachshund, Skippy, still loved to run, dig and tunnel even when he went blind, but he often went too fast or too far for his own good. He would eventually bump into walls or get stuck behind furniture.
We have tried several solutions. One was the Muffin’s Halo, a ring that attaches to a harness and prevents blind dogs from bumping into things. This worked for Skippy at times, but it occasionally threw him off balance because he was so small.
The Muffin’s Halo however, works great for many dogs and can be a solution for your older pup.
I improvised a device for Skippy that worked a little better for him. I cut a sock and shaped it into a little helmet that left his ears and face uncovered, but rolled into a pillow on his head.
It softened his jolts and gave him a buffer to slow down as he discovered something in front of him when he felt pressure on the pillow. Of course, that didn’t stop him from getting trapped behind furniture, but it did let him run without injuring himself.
While living with your blind senior dog, you will find products or invent your own products to help your pup. There is no perfect solution for the needs of every blind senior, but you will adapt and your vet can always advise you.
Be patient, consider your dog’s needs and roll with the punches. Your blind senior can still have plenty of time with you and live a great life.
Have you ever cared for a blind senior dog? What advice would you give to others who have an old dog who is losing his sight? Let us know in the comments below!
[ad_2]
Source link