Blindness in cats

If your favourite feline friend is starting to walk into furniture or maybe their eyes have gone a little cloudy, these might be signs that your cat is going blind. Blindness in cats is getting increasingly common as cats live longer. Just like humans, cats can lose their eyesight as they age, and unfortunately you can’t pop a pair of glasses on your cat and call it a day.

Keep reading to learn more about the signs and symptoms of blindness in cats, as well as how to care for your beloved pet.

Causes of blindness in cats

There are a few reasons that cats go blind, from disease to old age. Just like us, cat’s eyes can deteriorate with age. It’s less common in cats than it is in dogs, however it’s more likely to occur in purebred cats.

Medical causes for adult or senior cats losing their sight are more common than genetic causes. These include trauma, infection, neurological problems and high blood pressure.

As your cat gets older, it’s important to attend regular check ups at the vet to get their eyes checked, as often as every six to nine months. 

Signs and symptoms of blindness in cats

Whilst signs and symptoms can differ from every cat, there are a range of signs to look out for if you think your cat is going blind. 

The most obvious sign is that your cat may start to walk into furniture or objects in your home. Often cats can memorise the layout of your home, but if there’s anything new in the way they may bump into it. 

Other less obvious signs include anxious behaviour, general clumsiness or jumpiness and acting afraid, confused or easily startled. If you are noticing any of these signs in your cat’s behaviour, please head to your vet to get it checked out.

Caring for your visually impaired feline friend

It can be heartbreaking watching your cat go blind, but it’s not all bad news. Blind cats can go on to live long, happy lives, there is just an extra amount of care and attention that is needed. 

Start by engaging your cat’s other senses such as sound and scent, as well as their memory. If you have other pets in your home, using noisy tags or bells on their collar is a way for your blind cat to know if anyone’s approaching. It’s not a bad idea to wear one yourself, or you can use your voice more frequently to let the cat know when you’re around. 

Don’t move around furniture in your home, and especially don’t move your cat’s bed, food and kitty litter, as this will be super disorientating and confusing for them.

Microchipping and wearing a collar with your contact details is also recommended in case they go wandering off. 

Final notes on blindness in cats

It’s never easy to watch our furry companions get sick, sad or lose their sight. Whilst it can feel like a helpless time, know that your cat can still live a rich and happy life even when blind. It’s best to go straight to your vet at the first signs of blindness and they can help you put a plan together to take care of your cat.  

At Goodbye Good Boy, we provide home euthanasia services to support loving owners in providing a peaceful passing for their beloved pets.

The team at Goodbye Good Boy offers individualised support to help you and your family navigate this difficult time by providing quality-of-life checks, in-home euthanasia, cremation and aftercare services, and personalised memorialisation options. 

To learn more about our pet end-of-life services, give our team of passionate pet lovers a call on 1800 953 619.