Although it can be heartbreaking to learn that your aging dog is going blind, the silver lining is knowing that there are plenty of ways to adapt to this new situation. While there are options like full spectrum hemp dog treats to support many common health problems aging dogs experience, helping your pet through their loss of sight will take more work. You will find that with a few lifestyle adjustments, you can still enjoy many of the same activities with your furry friend.
Begin Blind Proofing Your House
If you’ve ever awoken in the middle of the night to a pitch-black room, you know how disorienting it can be. Even more so when you find yourself banging into a dresser or tripping over your shoes before you find the light switch. You’ll need to start ensuring that there are clear paths around your home for your dog. This includes not only looking out for cords or wires that your dog could trip on, but picking up any obstacles that could inhibit your pup’s movement. It may take a little time, but taking your dog around the house a few times on a short lead, will help your pup map out his or her surroundings.
This mental map will help your dog get around your house without injuring themselves. And it is important that you are always very conscious of how changing this map can be confusing for your dog. This means making sure that your dog is aware when you have added new furniture and that you’ll have to think twice before you want to move the couch to the other wall. Additionally, it will help your pup if you keep their toys, food, and water bowls in the same spot. A food bowl can act as a great home base for your pooch if they ever get too confused or disoriented. If you have any stairs, you will want to baby-gate them for a bit until you can determine how your pup handles even a few stairs.
