Sight loss in dogs; a senior dog problem

March 2, 2025

As they age, dogs can lose their ability to see as clearly. Cataracts, glaucoma, etc. can even lead to blindness. As these things happen, your dog is going to need your support.

DO YOU HAVE AN OLDER DOG?

Sight loss in dogs is fairly common, especially if you have an older dog. Sometimes, this loss is temporary, while other times, it isn’t. Whether or not you can reverse that loss, there are things you can do to help your dog function. Many times, dogs continue to live happy lives long after the loss of their vision.

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOUR DOG IS GOING BLIND?

Sight loss in dogs can happen slowly, over time. You might not notice any problems at first. But then, you might see your dog bump into things that they should see. Or your dog might be afraid of doing something for some unknown (to you) reason. These can happen because your dog can’t see as well as they used to.

Sometimes, you’ll see the milky look of a cataract in your old friend’s eyes. Or his eyes might be red or watery. Maybe you won’t see anything in particular. If you suspect your dog might be suffering vision loss, a trip to the vet to diagnose what’s going on is important so that you can treat whatever it is.

Dogs that can’t see well might need special accommodations. Comfortable routines, extra supervision and patience can go a long way in helping them adjust and navigate their world.

SIGHT LOSS IN DOGS, ESPECIALLY OLDER DOGS, HAPPENS

Older dogs are more likely to suffer from glaucoma, macular degeneration, or cataracts, either alone or possibly because of other health conditions that develop with age. Conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or even infections can also cause vision loss. According to this post from AKC, cataracts are the most likely reason for sight loss in dogs.

CAN SIGHT LOSS IN DOGS BE PREVENTED?

According to this post from Dogsnaturallymagazine.com, depending on the cause of vision loss, sometimes it can be reversed or decreased. For example, in the case of diabetes, if the blood sugar is controlled, vision can improve. If the sight loss is because of an infection, treating that infection can sometimes help reverse vision loss. However, the loss is often not reversible, so you, as the dog parent, will need to help your dog adjust.

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR DOG IN DEALING WITH VISION LOSS?

Sight loss in dogs can lead to anxiety and confusion, especially if the loss is sudden. Your dog may need extra reassurance that things are ok. You can help them work with their other senses to get their bearings. Using specific scents to locate food and water or building verbal/sound cues can help, for example. Talking to your dog can be reassuring too. Your dog will have to learn to use their other senses to make sense of their world.

When dogs lose their ability to see, running into obstacles becomes a big issue. Keep pathways as clear as possible and try not to change the location of things they’re used to. You can get devices that help buffer so that when your dog does run into something, it isn’t as painful.

You’ll need to make sure their environment is as safe as it can be. Don’t let your dog close to potentially dangerous situations like stairways or busy streets without your close supervision or at all if possible. Using baby gates can help keep them out of situations that need to be monitored more closely. They can often still do those things that need supervision, but they need your support.

Your routine for going for a walk might need to change a little. Keeping a short leash and using more verbal cues can help keep your dog safe. You could also use safety gear like reflective vests or brightly colored leashes or collars to help other people see them.

Dogs get old, sadly. As their bodies start to take on the problems of aging, you can help them feel better with patience, a little creativity, and love.

WHAT WE’VE TRIED WHEN SIGHT LOSS IN DOGS WAS AN ISSUE

We have several senior dogs in our pack right now. While none of them are currently blind, several of them look like they’re developing cataracts, so we’ll have to be paying attention as time goes by.

When we’ve had dogs with vision loss, it’s been helpful to keep their routine up as much as possible. Keeping things in their places has also been really helpful. Plus, the other dogs seem to watch out for the ones who are limited. They often take care of each other.

IT’S WORTH IT

Sight loss in dogs doesn’t mean they aren’t worthwhile members of the family anymore. Making adjustments is what you do for your family. They do it for us all the time. I’d gladly do what I can to help any of my family, human, canine, or whatever. Wouldn’t you?

Have you lived with senior dogs or lived through sight loss in dogs? Tell me about it in the comments below.