Blind dogs and cats make terrific pets. While they require a little extra attention than pets without visual difficulties, being a good pet parent to a blind dog or cat is easier than you might think. If you're considering adopting a blind dog or adopting a blind cat, here's what you need to know.
Some pets are born blind, while others lose their eyesight as the result of an injury or health condition. Health conditions tend to be the more common cause, which can include pets losing their vision due to age-related conditions, like cataracts or macular degeneration, or illnesses such as glaucoma or progressive retinal atrophy, says The Spruce Pets.
Unfortunately, many pets wind up in shelters after losing their vision due to the mistaken belief that blindness will make them too difficult to care for. But the truth is that dogs and cats are highly adaptable animals and often learn quickly to live with their vision loss. They're generally as easy to care for as any other pet. Don't be deterred from adopting a blind dog or adopting a blind cat — they could make a great addition to your family.
Before adopting any pet, it's important to ask questions that will help you determine whether the pet will be a good fit for your household and whether you can provide the care they need to thrive. In addition to the standard questions to ask before adopting a dog or cat, here are some additional questions to ask:
Shelter workers will also do their best to ask you questions about your ability to care for a blind pet. They want to ensure that this pet is right for your family as much as you are right for this pet. Answer their questions as truthfully as you can because it is necessary to be honest with yourself to determine if you can care for any pet, not just one that is blind.
It's a good idea to prepare your house ahead of time before bringing your new pet home. Blind Dog Rescue Alliance recommends the following steps to get your home ready for adopting a blind dog or cat:
Young pets may need several visits in their first year for vaccinations. Adult pets generally benefit from annual check-ups, while senior or special-needs pets might require more frequent visits.
Once they've learned the layout of your home, chances are your pet will get around it with little difficulty. But here are a few more things you can do to make life easier for you and your blind pet:
With a little extra TLC, blind pets can happily thrive and bring untold amounts of joy to your life.
Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent, pet blogger, and novelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of fur babies.
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced liver & chicken to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
A delicious complement to the nutrition of Science Diet Small & Mini dog food
Natural fiber comfortably reduces hairballs
Delicious seared tuna paired with tender carrots in a mouthwatering sauce
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Grain Free dry dog food is gentle on stomachs. Nourishes skin & promotes a lustrous coat.
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
A delicious complement to the nutrition of Science Diet Small & Mini dog food
Turkey & Barley recipe with precisely balanced nutrition to keep dogs active and healthy
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of savory minced chicken to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Precisely balanced nutrition for indoor cats with the delicious taste of savory minced seafood
Delectable chunks with tender tuna smothered in a rich gravy
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Large Breed dry dog food is gentle on stomachs while nourishing skin & promoting a lustrous coat. In a delicious large bite size for large breed dogs.
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome. Delicious food in a large bite size
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of savory minced salmon to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Supports ideal body weight for cats with different body types
For the unique nutritional needs of mature Small & Mini dogs
Vital nutrients to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health, tailored for unique needs of Small and Mini puppies
Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Knowing how to find a pet sitter who's right for you and your pet can be hard. Follow our tips to help you search for, evaluate and choose a great sitter.
Learn helpful tips if you're considering leaving your pet when going on holiday, including ideas for who can watch them, options for boarding them & more.
Understand the importance of antioxidants in your dog or cat's food, and how they can help protect your pet and keep them healthy.
Learn what a pet's microbiome is, how it contributes to your pet's gut & overall health, and why nutrition is important in maintaining healthy microbiomes.
Dog insomnia is a real thing. And it's possible your cat not sleeping well at night is also a bout of insomnia. Learn more about this pet health concern.
Discover helpful tips for training your puppy or kitten, including the best time to start training them and the importance of staying consistent.
An animal shelter near you takes in homeless animals. Learn how it shows animals in shelters aren't there for behavioral or medical problems, and many make healthy pets in loving homes.
Learn about one dog trainer's journey to becoming a pet adoption counselor and how she's honed her skills to match people up with just the right pets.
Learn why water is vital to your pet's health, including how much water dogs & cats should drink per day and what to do if they drink too much/not enough.
With ham & pork products being popular holiday foods, learn how safe it is to give your dog or cat table scraps like ham, bacon and other pork products.
Learn tips for bonding with your pet if you've ever thought, 'My dog doesn't like me, or 'Why do I have a standoffish cat?'
Learn how corn can play a pivotal role in your pet's food and diet. Discover the benefits it has in improving your pet's overall health.
When the worst happens, you might not know what to do. Find out how to create a pet disaster plan to keep your fur baby happy, healthy and safe.
Concerned about your pet's environmental impact? Learn how sustainable pet food can help you care for the planet without compromising pet nutrition.
Compare Hill's Science Diet dog and cat food's calories against other pet food brands and AAFCO recommended maximum calorie count.
Learn the impact of heading back to school and suddenly leaving your pet home alone, how you can help this transition & ease their separation anxiety.
Get helpful pet care tips you can use every day, such as vet visit and identification advice, to keep your dog or cat happy and healthy.
Pet food labels only give you a fraction of the nutritional info you need to know when choosing a pet food. Learn what other factors should you consider.
Is giving someone a pet a good idea? It may seem like a wonderful idea, but important factors to consider and some tips for doing it the right way.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your pet's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your pet's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
©2025 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. About our Ads. Cookie Consent Tool