Is it common for old cats to go blind?

It is not at all uncommon for pets, particularly older ones, to suffer vision loss. Just as people over the age of 40 tend to need reading glasses, the same vision changes start to develop in almost all cats over the age of six.

How can you tell if your elderly cat is going blind?

The signs that your cat has become visually impaired may be quite obvious. The animal may, for example, start bumping into furniture, trip as it climbs up or down a flight of stairs, or appear to have trouble finding its litter box or food bowl.

Why has my cat suddenly gone blind?

A wide variety of conditions can precipitate sudden blindness in a cat, including a burst of bleeding into the eye’s interior or a traumatic blow to the head. In rare cases, a cat’s ingestion of an antibacterial medication called enrofloxacin has also been shown to damage the feline retina and cause sudden blindness.

How do you take care of an elderly blind cat?

Here are some ways to help.

  1. Be Patient. For cats afflicted with a sudden onset of blindness, it may take several weeks to adjust to their vision loss.
  2. Be Consistent.
  3. Be Helpful.
  4. Be Safety Conscious.
  5. Develop a Feeding Routine.
  6. Supervise Outside Activities.
  7. Stimulate Other Senses.

Are blind cats sad?

If your cat does go blind, you’re likely to feel sad on its behalf and worry about how you will care for it. However, even sighted cats use their whiskers to feel their way around spaces, and are excellent at forming mental maps.

Why is my cat’s eye cloudy?

Cloudy eyes can be a serious symptom of cat eye disease—particularly when the clouding is on the cornea (the outer surface of the eye). When the cornea gets injured, such as from a scratch or ulcer, swelling occurs, and you will see a cloudy patch in your cat’s eye. In some cases, the entire cornea may appear cloudy.

Can I leave my blind cat alone?

A blind cat cannot detect danger and run from it, especially if attacked or chased. If you do let your cat outside, never leave her side. A harness and leash can allow your pet to go out and enjoy the outdoors safely.

How do you comfort a blind cat?

How do you care for a blind elderly cat?

How to look after blind cats

  1. Keep your blind cat indoors, ensuring they have access to a safely-fenced garden or run if necessary.
  2. Encourage your cat to walk around on their own and avoid carrying them.
  3. When you approach your cat, talk to them as you approach them to avoid startling them.