Sometimes old age, illness or injury can lead your beloved cat to blindness. As painful as it is for both you and him, it doesn't mean the end of a happy and fulfilling life. On the contrary, your cat will get used to the new situation and you too can do a lot to keep living well. To care for a blind cat, take him to the vet, keep the house tidy and find other ways to play with him. Read on for more information on how to care for a blind cat.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Knowing if the Cat is Blind
Step 1. Make an appointment with the vet
If you suspect your cat has gone blind, make a vet appointment right away. Some blindness problems are reversible if treated promptly. For example, if hypertension is the cause, taking certain medications daily can restore vision and prevent further health problems.
Make sure you have your vet checked regularly, even if you feel he is healthy. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent him from going blind
Step 2. Look out for typical symptoms of blindness
Sometimes these animals lose their sight over a period of a few days, weeks or months. When they become almost or completely blind, it is possible to begin to notice some oddities in the way they act. Observe your cat to find out if he can't see. Here are some behaviors that indicate blindness problems:
- He looks confused in his surroundings.
- Bumps into furniture and other objects.
- It does not jump or descend as easily as before.
- Seems reluctant to move or venture outdoors.
- Rub or squint your eyes.
Step 3. Inspect the cat's eyes for symptoms of blindness
If your cat's behavior leads you to suspect that he is no longer able to see, check his eyes to see if they look different than usual. Although the animal does not show any signs of vision loss, these organs should be examined regularly to see if they are showing early symptoms of blindness. Some of the most common include:
- Eyes that do not react to light, dilated pupils.
- Eyes that appear clouded, inflamed, or faded.
- Watery or watery eyes.
Part 2 of 3: Meeting the Cat's Needs
Step 1. Minimize obstacles in your home
Since he may have some difficulty moving around the house at first, you should do your best to clear the obstacles in the various rooms. Keeping the floor clear will help your furry friend move without hitting objects. Here are some tips to reduce obstacles in the home:
- Leave the furniture where it is.
- Keep the house clean and tidy.
- Teach children to remove toys once they are done using them.
Step 2. Keep the house quiet
Since your cat can no longer use his sight to tell if something or someone poses a threat, loud noises may scare him more than he could see. Therefore, help them calm down and feel protected by avoiding noise and inviting others to do the same. If you accidentally make a loud noise, try to comfort your cat by petting and talking to him in a low voice. Here are other tips to keep your home peaceful:
- Slowly get up from your chair instead of suddenly jumping.
- If the house is multi-level, go up the stairs to talk to someone instead of shouting.
- Avoid slamming cabinet doors and doors.
Step 3. Talk to your cat
Since he can no longer see you when he enters a room, it is advisable to get into the habit of muttering or chatting to himself to let him know where you are. He may also feel safer and more relaxed if you whisper and talk in his presence. This will help prevent him from getting scared when you want to stroke him. By announcing your presence, you will be less likely to get scared when you feel your hand on your back.
Step 4. Consider the need to increase security measures outdoors
If your cat was used to going out before he went blind, stay with him as much as possible when he ventures out of the house. If you accompany him as he rediscovers life in the open air, you can avoid any accidents while allowing him to enjoy the beautiful days outdoors.
- Try keeping him in a fenced area of the garden when he wants to go outside. By doing this, you can minimize the chances of him getting hurt or lost.
- Consider using a cat harness and leash to prevent them from straying too far, putting themselves in danger.
- If you can't control him while he's out, don't let him out.
Part 3 of 3: Caring for a Blind Cat
Step 1. Follow the recommendations given by your vet
If your cat has been diagnosed with a medical condition that requires special treatment, medication, or other measures, try to follow your veterinarian's instructions. If his blindness is related to a disease, it will not improve until he is cured. Contact your vet immediately if your condition worsens or does not recover despite therapy.
Be aware that some forms of blindness are not reversible, despite medical intervention. Your cat may be blind for the rest of her life, but she will still be able to live well
Step 2. Play with your cat
It is still a normal cat. Even if he has lost his sight, he will still want to do whatever the felines like, like play. When buying a toy, look for one designed specifically for blind cats. Plus, switch between sight-based and sound-based games. Anything that produces rustles, creaks, little rumbles or can be hit can serve as a new form of entertainment.
Try buying toys that squeak like mice or chirp like birds. He may enjoy playing by chasing the noise they make
Step 3. Take care of your cat as you always have
Brush him regularly, feed him nutritious foods, indulge in some delicious treats from time to time, and take him to the vet regularly for visits. He pays special attention to his nose and ears, since they have become the organs that make life easier for him.
- Place the food and water in the same place it has always been used to finding them.
- Consider adding a second litter box so she can reach her more easily to get her needs done on time. She may have had a hard time finding the container since she lost her sight.
Advice
- Cats' hearing and smell are more developed than those of humans. Therefore, a cat can compensate for vision loss better and faster than people.
- Your cat is likely to be less stressed than you are from losing their sight. Moreover, he cannot know that it is not a "normal" phenomenon. Until yesterday he saw, now not anymore. Don't anthropomorphize her feelings, but use your energy to try to improve her life in other ways.
- A fenced porch would likely be safer for a blind cat than an open garden or yard.
- If you have children, explain to them why it is very important that they do not leave their toys and other items in a mess.
- Encourage your cat to climb rather than run. It is more difficult for it to bump like this. To stimulate it, place vertical structures, which you could cover with agave.
Warnings
- A cat exhibiting symptoms of blindness should be taken to the vet immediately.
- Many cases of total vision loss are incurable.
- A cat with diabetes should be checked periodically for symptoms of incipient blindness.
