With age, your pet’s vision can start to deteriorate, and changes may be needed to help them feel as comfy as possible for the rest of their life. Things to think about are:
You’ve noticed your pet has started bumping into things, or perhaps has difficulty navigating or seeing things like their toys, food bowls, or even you!
Tell your vet!
If they have impaired vision in some way
Consider this when you move things around in their environments, inside or outside. How might it affect them physically and emotionally?
Some animals with impaired/no vision can adapt very well when you move things around, others struggle.
Most animals like routine placement with their resources i.e. food/water bowls, loo, as it can reassure and allow them to feel safer at a time when their bodies are beginning to let them down.
Their impaired vision may mean they cannot see as well at darker times, or don’t feel safe in complete darkness (see my point further down)
It may be beneficial to leave a light or nightlight on so they can better access their resources or feel comforted.
They may have accidents if they don’t spot their loo.
You may need to provide two to maximise their chance of locating one, and position it perhaps just a little further away from their first one so if they walked past it they suddenly come across the other one.
What might they not be able to see, and could thus tread in and ingest, or tread on, or bump into that may be harmful, toxic or cause them injury?
Make adjustments to counteract that. For instance, remove items out of harm’s way, protect them from injury by positioning items on higher shelves, remove toxic chemicals or substances and store safely. Mop any spilled items straight away.
Sometimes they may need to be guided towards items, especially if you have had a move around.
I have seen some pets who have had to have both eyes removed (enucleations) and been whizzing round the vet surgery a year on with no fear/injuries, despite the fact there was furniture changes, yet another pet who was very anxious because their bed had been moved in the home.
When one sense deteriorates, often this can make a pet feel less safe.
Everything a pet does is to feel safe, so try to take that on board when looking at their behaviour. Consistency and routine can be key to make an elderly pet feel safer. They may be able to hear something but not see it – think about when you can hear someone running up behind you but cannot see them – often your heart can be beating furiously until you realise when you turn around it’s just someone jogging! And your vision is clear, not blurred or non-existent!!
Now, knowing how they have such a strong bond with us and can communicate telepathically, including through images, you can:
- Visualise whatever it is coming towards them, as they can pick up on this visual communication from you, as it is all energy which they can process. Notice how you are feeling as you communicate this and make sure it is a peaceful, calm or relaxed feeling you are sending, as remember they pick up on your emotions, and will associate it to whatever you are focusing on, internally or externally.
- Talk to them and tell them what is coming up, notice how you are feeling and remain calm to help them pick up on that calmness.
More Articles in this Series:
https://ametrineholistics.co.uk/things-to-consider-for-your-elderly-pet-the-onceover/
Things to Consider for Your Elderly Pet: Eating and Diet – Ametrine Holistics
https://ametrineholistics.co.uk/things-to-consider-for-your-elderly-pet-their-environment/
https://ametrineholistics.co.uk/things-to-consider-for-your-elderly-pet-body-condition-grooming/
Making Your Elderly Pet’s Life More Comfortable: Heat Pads, Drinking Fountains and more
Things to Consider for your Elderly Pet – Final Pieces of Wisdom
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