Sadly, some Chihuahuas are born blind. Sometimes this is genetic and/or from bad breeding. Many lose their sight as they get older, or at least become visually impaired, meaning they don’t see as well as they should. This article will give you some insights and ways to help your Chihuahua to adapt to his new circumstances.
Why Do Chihuahuas Go Blind?
If your Chihuahua is losing his vision because of old age, disease, or injury it can be traumatic … for you, not your Chihuahua. According to Dr. Tammy Miller Michau, a board-certified ophthalmologist, “It’s more traumatic to us as an owner and as a pet parent than it is to the animal”.
It is really not uncommon for a Chihuahua to lose his vision as he gets older. They can get cataracts just as humans can. That is when a film develops over the lens of the eye and drastically reduces the ability to see. Things begin to look cloudy or hazy. We humans can have surgery to remove them, but that is not always an option for our Chihuahuas and they eventually lose their sight altogether.
All your Chihuahua really cares about is being with you, being fed, knowing he is safe and warm. If your Chihuahua has all that then he can continue to live a long and happy life in spite of losing his vision. There are also an array of products to help you and your Chihuahua adjust to your new circumstances.
Signs That Your Chihuahua Is Losing His Vision
You may notice the following signs that your Chihuahua is losing his vision:
- He may begin to appear clumsy
- You may notice he has difficulty finding his toys
- If he begins to be startled easily
- You may notice a film over his eyes or red blood vessels in the eyes
- Noticeable eye pain
- Less energetic
If you get a diagnosis from your vet of vision loss and it can’t be fixed, don’t worry. With some time and some assistance, your Chihuahua will learn to compensate by using his other senses like hearing, smell, and touch. Because of their superior senses to ours, it is less difficult for them to adapt to his new circumstances than it is for a human.
Here Are Some Tips To Help Your Chihuahua Adapt:
- Give Him A Safe Zone. Establish a warm safe space just for him. Like a retreat for your Chi. Make it soft, safe, and warm. A warm bed or an open door crate near you, but away from any chaos,noise, or exuberant two or four legged younger siblings.
- Talk To Your Chihuahua Often. You more than likely already talk to your Chihuahua throughout the day, but now it is even more important to carry on a conversation (albeit one sided) with him. Use your voice to get his attention before touching him so as not to startle him.
- Keep a Consistant Routine. Chihuahuas, blind or not thrive on having a routein. A consistent routine helps him to know where he is. When walking him use the same routes.
- Let Others Know Your Chihuahua is blind. Get a shirt or bandana to wear on walks that says “I’m blind”. Tell people to approach him slowly and let him sniff them first. You can also get a tag for your Chihuahua’s collar that let’s people know he is blind in case he should ever become lost.
Helpful Tips Continued
- Chihuahua Proof Your House. Get down on all fours crouch down and see the world from his vantage point. Look for sharp or corners or things that could be dangerous if he bumped into them. Use baby gates to block stairs until he learns to safely navigate stairs.
- Keep Food and Water Bowls in the Same Place. Once he knows where they are he will know how to return to them and will be a location cue, helping him know where he is in his environment.
- Leave The Television On. Even dogs that aren’t blind like ambient noise. If the TV is left on when you leave it will help to orient him to different rooms. It also helps them to feel less lonely.
- Create Sounds. Attach bells to your shoes, and on your other pets collars. This will help him until he gets used to listening to the sound of your footsteps and other vibrations.
Use Scent Markers like Innovet’s Tracerz. They are adhesive, scented markers that you place on objects to train your dog to identify before he runs into them. These scented markers can help your pet visualize his home through other senses and start adjusting his travel around obstacles. Tracerz are made with your dog’s sensitive olfactory organs in mind and are made from gentle and natural essential oils. Each adhesive can emit scent effectively for a year without putting off odors. People can’t smell it unless they’re very close to them. Cats and other pets can benefit from Tracerz as well!
Use Halos like Muffin’s Halo For Blind Dogs. Halo’s will help your blind Chihuahua stay safe and happy. It is a device that will help him to become familiar with his surroundings again after losing his sight. The halo helps to prevent painful bumps. It is lightweight, comfortable to wear, and adjustable. A halo will help him to enjoy his usual everyday activities confidently, eating, drinking, sleeping, playing all bump-free.
There is a long list of products to aid your blind Chihuahua to remain calm, safe, and help him to adjust.
NEXT UP: 5 Precautions to prevent your Chihuahua from becoming lost
