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Here I've listed a few tips to help if you're adopting a blind kitty, or if your current cat has gone blind or is losing their sight (whether from illness, injury or old age).
(OR A NEWLY BLIND CAT)
TOYS, CAT TREES AND FUN
If you have any specific questions or cases that you need more details on for your blind kitty, please use the contact form on the front page and I will help if I can.
- Firstly, don't worry too much! There are a few tips and tricks to help a blind cat that can be surprisingly easy. Plus, you might be surprised at how well they manage.
(OR A NEWLY BLIND CAT)
- If you're bringing a new blind kitten or cat home and they are your only pet, keep them in one room to begin with, until they are confident in that room and ready to explore on their own. Make sure they have everything they need; litter tray, beds, toys, scratching post and anything else that will keep them comfortable and entertained. When they seem confident in that room, let them out to explore in their own time. Give them space to do so, but guide them gently if needed.
- If you are introducing a new blind cat or kitten to an existing cat, then follow the same step above, but then start to introduce the new cat or kitten slowly - the same as if you were introducing any new cat into your household. My favourite article for introducing cats is here. Don't rush it - take your time - cats can integrate in a week or 6 weeks - go at their pace. Then once they get on OK, follow the tips given below.
- Once your kitten or cat is ready to move into your full house or flat (or if you have an existing cat that has gone blind), keep everything in the same place. Don't leave stuff lying around, don't move furniture and most importantly, keep litter, food and water in the same place. For cats that are going blind slowly, guide your cat, but don't try to over-do the 'steering' and guidance. Let them make mistakes and learn - but obviously don't let them do anything dangerous. Although it's easier for me because I went blind very young (we adapt better and quicker), older cats do adapt and you may be amazed at just how well they cope as the sight deteriorates. Sometimes, cats do better with no sight than partial sight, because they learn to trust and use their other senses more.
TOYS, CAT TREES AND FUN
- Use toys that have sounds - crinkle balls, balls with bells in, rolled up foil - things that they can chase and locate. If they lose a toy, go to it and rattle it so they know where it landed. I often learn to locate a lost toy by trying to find it. But of course, mum still does help me sometimes. :)
- With new things like cat trees, we often learn to get up better than we can get down. If they can't get down, show them once or twice by guiding their paws and body down to each level onto to the floor - you just wait - a few times and they'll have it! Also, tapping the floor when they are on a higher surface can help them to locate the distance and jump it. I can now easily jump down from the kitchen counter even (although I can't get up there - which I think mum is happy about).
- One thing worth remembering as that we blind cats are just as curious as sighted cats. This means we can get up and into places you'd never believe. Keep us safe by making sure that we can't climb up too high, to then get stuck, or be at risk of falling. Keep windows secure, access to outside limited to a harness or enclosed space and block off crevices or hiding places where you can't reach us if we get stuck.
- Also, with the great outdoors, watch out for what we chase and swat and eat. We love to bat at anything that buzzes, so if it's a wasp or bee, we need to have you there to tell us no! We will also nibble at things that could be dangerous, so do keep an eye on us if you can. Eventually, you may see that we do just fine, so you can take your eyes off us for a bit longer. If you are going to let your cat outside, then either enclose your outdoor area or garden, or use a harness - it's important for our safety.
- Tell your cat how amazing and clever they are. Every time they achieve something - often by trial and error (e.g. getting up and down off a cat tree or the sofa), reward her with a stroke, a kind word or even a treat, just for trying - even if they stumble a bit or make mistakes. Us cats are hardy and small falls or ungraceful exits off a sofa or bed are OK - we soon learn the way.
If you have any specific questions or cases that you need more details on for your blind kitty, please use the contact form on the front page and I will help if I can.