Cats have extraordinary eyes, thanks to which they can see clearly even at night, both indoors and outdoors. However, injuries and illnesses can significantly damage their vision or even cause them to lose vision. If blindness is diagnosed at its early stage, it is still possible to completely or partially save vision with adequate therapy. However, if the cat goes blind, it is important to take all necessary steps to help him. Be on the lookout for any behavioral or physical changes that may indicate that the cat is losing sight or is blind, so that you can better care for it.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Notice Changes in Behavior
Step 1. Notice if he's more clunky than normal
Observe how he moves around the house: do you misjudge distances when he jumps over something? Does it crash into walls or bump into furniture that it previously bypassed smoothly? Clumsiness, particularly in spaces where the cat spends a lot of time, can indicate poor vision or blindness.
- Another bad sign is the tendency to trip on the stairs or to fall when trying to get on his favorite spot.
- Notice if he has difficulty reaching other objects that are familiar to him, such as a food or water bowl.
Step 2. Observe the way he walks
Notice if he crouches too close to the ground when moving - it may mean he's finding his way using his sense of smell and whiskers. The tendency to keep your head down or to move it up and down to calculate distances is another sign to watch out for.
Notice even if at times it seems to wander aimlessly
Step 3. Listen to it
Does it seem to you that it meows more than usual? A cat that does not see well or is blind tends to express its discomfort by vocalizing more than normal. In addition, he may often be nervous, fearful, or upset as his vision decreases.
You may also find that she gets scared more easily
Step 4. Find out if he seems more dependent on you
Pay attention to the signs that indicate less independence and autonomy: Does he stick to you more than normal and hardly ever strays from your side? Have you become more sedentary, do you tend to sleep more and move less?
Method 2 of 3: Observe the Eyes
Step 1. Look at his pupils
If you suspect your cat is blind or losing their sight, their pupils can give you further clues: check if they are different in size and if they don't contract or dilate when the light changes. These are both symptoms of blindness or principle of blindness.
Also notice if the cat squints or does not seem to notice the less or more light
Step 2. Check your eye color
A change in this sense is one of the signs to watch out for. Notice if your eyes are red or look cloudy, cloudy, or whitish in color.
- Look at the tissue around the eyes - does it look red? Don't worry if you see it pale pink - it's totally normal.
- If the lens of the eye appears opaque, the cat may have cataracts.
Step 3. Check his reflexes
Quickly move a finger towards one of his eyes (without touching the cornea): normally the cat should snap back or blink; but if he is blind, he will not notice the finger. Do not get too close to the whiskers and try not to wind, because it could still react and you would not be able to tell if it has actually seen the finger or has only perceived it.
Step 4. Try unrolling a ball of yarn in front of the cat
If he does not follow the movement of the ball with his eyes and remains indifferent as it passes in front of it, he is probably blind. Do not pass the line too close to the nose, otherwise it could sense its presence thanks to the whiskers.
Step 5. Pay attention to the size of the eyes
If one eye looks larger than the other, take your cat to the vet, as he may have glaucoma. It does not mean that the animal is already blind, but this condition can cause loss of vision if it is not treated.
Another symptom of glaucoma is clouding of one or both eyes
Method 3 of 3: Caring for a Blind Cat
Step 1. Take him to the vet if you suspect he is blind or becoming blind
Express your concerns to the vet, including any symptoms you have noticed. Do it as soon as possible, because the timeliness of diagnosis and treatment is crucial to preventing total blindness or treating a serious disease causing the problem.
Blindness can be a symptom of other diseases, such as arterial hypertension; the latter can cause seizures and strokes, so it is essential to treat it as soon as possible
Step 2. Maintain some consistency around the house
Make as few changes as possible to your cat's environment to help them adapt better to the loss of vision. Do not move the food bowl, water bowl, and litter box so he can find them easily.
- You can also lower the furniture or install ramps to make it easier for it to climb.
- Make sure there is no clutter on the floor, so it can move more easily.
Step 3. Check it out when it is outside
Accompany him if he leaves the house and make sure he stays in a confined area. Otherwise, keep it inside to protect it - close doors, windows and cat flaps to prevent it from going outside.
Step 4. Make sure it's identifiable
Have him put a microchip so that he can find it again in case he goes out of the house and gets lost. Also, put on a collar with an identification tag; Also add a tag indicating that you are blind or partially sighted.
Step 5. Avoid scaring him
Try not to make loud noises or catch him off guard. Do your best to keep a calm attitude when he is around you and help him stay calm. Also warn guests and family members (especially children) not to make too much noise or other things that may scare them.
