(03) 9545 0103
Melbourne Eye Vet  |  Dr Anu O'Reilly and Dr Chloe Hardman  |  Animal Eye Specialists
  • Home
    • Virtual Tour of Melbourne EyeVet
  • About Us
    • Anu O'Reilly
    • Chloe Hardman
    • Hayley Volk
    • Gemma Turner
    • The Team
  • Information
    • For Veterinarians >
      • Veterinary Referral
      • Information Resources
    • Veterinary Students
    • For Pet Owners >
      • E-collar help
      • Useful websites and products
      • Hattie's Halo
      • How to give eye drops
      • How to apply ointment
      • Surgery
      • Specialist Anaesthesia
      • Pug Eye Disease
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Breeders >
      • Breed Eye Certification
      • Breed Specific Information
    • HORSES
  • Eye Conditions
    • Canine >
      • Blephartitis
      • Cataracts >
        • Cataract Post Op Care
        • Cataract Post Op Video
      • Cherry Eye
      • Chorioretinitis
      • Conjunctivitis-Dog
      • Corneal endothelial degeneration
      • Corneal laceration and Iris Prolapse
      • Corneal lipidosis
      • Deep and infected ulcers
      • Distichia
      • Dry eye
      • Ectopic Cilia
      • Entropion-Dog
      • Eyelid Tumour
      • Glaucoma-Dog
      • Glaucoma Shunt
      • Horner's Syndrome
      • Iris Cyst
      • Intraocular Silicon Prosthesis
      • Living with a blind pet
      • Anterior Lens Luxation
      • Posterior lens Luxation
      • Pannus
      • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
      • Retrobulbar Disease
      • SARDS - SUDDEN ACQUIRED RETINAL DEGENERATION SYNDROME
      • Sudden Vision Loss
      • Superficial ulcer
      • Uveitis
    • Feline >
      • Conjunctivitis-Cat
      • Corneal Sequestrum
      • Entropion-Cat
      • Feline Herpes - Viral Keratitis
      • Glaucoma-Cat
      • Hypertension
      • Anterior lens Luxation
    • Equine >
      • Glaucoma
      • Corneal Ulcers
      • Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
      • Uveitis
    • Exotics
  • Locations
    • Mulgrave (Main)
    • Frankston
    • Mornington
    • Essendon
    • Mill Park
    • Geelong
    • Bendigo
    • Narre Warren North ( Horses)
    • Traralgon
    • Wodonga
    • Ballarat
    • Darwin
  • Contact Us
  • Diabetes Australia
  • COVID 19
  • Home
    • Virtual Tour of Melbourne EyeVet
  • About Us
    • Anu O'Reilly
    • Chloe Hardman
    • Hayley Volk
    • Gemma Turner
    • The Team
  • Information
    • For Veterinarians >
      • Veterinary Referral
      • Information Resources
    • Veterinary Students
    • For Pet Owners >
      • E-collar help
      • Useful websites and products
      • Hattie's Halo
      • How to give eye drops
      • How to apply ointment
      • Surgery
      • Specialist Anaesthesia
      • Pug Eye Disease
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Breeders >
      • Breed Eye Certification
      • Breed Specific Information
    • HORSES
  • Eye Conditions
    • Canine >
      • Blephartitis
      • Cataracts >
        • Cataract Post Op Care
        • Cataract Post Op Video
      • Cherry Eye
      • Chorioretinitis
      • Conjunctivitis-Dog
      • Corneal endothelial degeneration
      • Corneal laceration and Iris Prolapse
      • Corneal lipidosis
      • Deep and infected ulcers
      • Distichia
      • Dry eye
      • Ectopic Cilia
      • Entropion-Dog
      • Eyelid Tumour
      • Glaucoma-Dog
      • Glaucoma Shunt
      • Horner's Syndrome
      • Iris Cyst
      • Intraocular Silicon Prosthesis
      • Living with a blind pet
      • Anterior Lens Luxation
      • Posterior lens Luxation
      • Pannus
      • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
      • Retrobulbar Disease
      • SARDS - SUDDEN ACQUIRED RETINAL DEGENERATION SYNDROME
      • Sudden Vision Loss
      • Superficial ulcer
      • Uveitis
    • Feline >
      • Conjunctivitis-Cat
      • Corneal Sequestrum
      • Entropion-Cat
      • Feline Herpes - Viral Keratitis
      • Glaucoma-Cat
      • Hypertension
      • Anterior lens Luxation
    • Equine >
      • Glaucoma
      • Corneal Ulcers
      • Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
      • Uveitis
    • Exotics
  • Locations
    • Mulgrave (Main)
    • Frankston
    • Mornington
    • Essendon
    • Mill Park
    • Geelong
    • Bendigo
    • Narre Warren North ( Horses)
    • Traralgon
    • Wodonga
    • Ballarat
    • Darwin
  • Contact Us
  • Diabetes Australia
  • COVID 19

living with a blind pet

Living with a Blind Pet

Vision loss in a pet can be distressing for the animal and their owners alike. This doesn’t mean it’s the end for your pet though – in fact, blind pets generally manage very well. Whilst losing sight is initially hard for the animal (especially when the vision is lost suddenly), they adjust very quickly. When one sense is lost the remaining senses usually become enhanced and your pet will navigate their world using their senses of smell and hearing. 
You might be pleasantly surprised at how well your pet can navigate familiar surroundings by memory alone. For this reason, it is very important not to make any sudden changes with the arrangement of furniture and the location of food and water bowls. We frequently have owners tell us that it wasn’t until they took their pet to a new place or on holidays that they realised their pet couldn’t see - they were bumping into things, acting cautious or not wanting to do anything but sleep. This initial period of adjustment can last for several weeks as your pet learns to navigate without sight and builds confidence. The best thing you can do is try and keep their routine as normal as possible and not wrap them in cotton wool too much!
Vision loss doesn’t mean your pet can’t go for walkies. It may mean they need to be on a lead so they don’t get lost. You might notice them walking close to your leg, but more confident dogs may still walk out in front – it really depends on their personality. When moving around your pet it is important to make them aware of your presence so they aren’t suddenly frightened – talk to them and reassure them a lot. 
You can assist your pet by teaching them basic words to help them navigate. Keep your instructions short to reduce any confusion. This will take some time so be patient and try different things each day. Some words you might like to teach your pet include:
  • For steps - step up and step down
  • About to bump into something - watch or careful
  • Emergency stop - STOP
Stairs can be very tricky for blind pets – they often learn to go up them much quicker than going down! Make sure banisters and railings are secure to prevent your pet from falling. Pool fences may also need to be adapted to prevent your pet accidentally walking through. It is important that you make sure your backyard is secure so that your pet can’t wander off and become lost. To help your pet remember certain areas you can mark furniture or flooring with aromatherapy oils. Using different aromas for different areas is a great way to help know what area they are in.
Below is a list of websites you may find useful including owners’ stories about their blind pets.
  1. www.blinddoginfo.com
  2. www.blinddogsupport.com/resources/
  3. www.blinddogs.net
  4. https://friendlydogcollars.com.au/
  5. Sensor light for your best friend
We also have a handout with information on protective eye wear and other items that may help you and your blind pet. If you have any concerns or question please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 03 9545 0103. 

Information

Pet Owners
Veterinarians
Breeders
Equine

About Us

Specialists
Meet the Team
Contact Us

Support

Resources

Refer a Case
Frequently Asked Questions

Conjunctivitis
Animal Eye Facts
Newsletters

© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Web Design by Cordover