PRINCETON, Minn. — We all want our puppy pals to live the best and most comfortable lives they can.
If you think your dog might be going blind, they still can live a full life. Azure Davis, director of Ruff Start Rescue, visited KARE 11 News at Noon to share how you can tell if your dog is blind, and how to ensure they are still living their best life.
Here are the signs that your dog might be struggling with vision impairment:
- Increased clumsiness and/or bumping into objects
- Difficult finding toys and treats
- Not wanting to go up or down stairs or jump on/off furniture
- Startle easily
- Cloudiness in the eyes
Ruff Start Rescue shared tips on how to help your best pal adjust to life without sight.
- Talk to your dog before you touch them so you don't startle them
- Cover sharp corners on furniture, block off stairs and clean up clutter to minimize obstacles
- Make a cozy and safe area for your dog
- Walk your dog through the house with a leash on to refamiliarize them with the layout of the home
- Use mats with different textures to mark doorways and stairwells
- Adhere to a schedule for meals and walks
- Use a collar or harness that shows your dog is blind so other people won't approach and startle them
Toys can still be fun if your dog is losing their sight — Ruff Start Rescue recommended doggy goggles for walks in the woods, toys with scents or noises, or Halo, which is guard attached to a harness that helps blind dogs move about their surroundings.