Adopting a blind cat

You’ve fallen in love with a cat at the shelter who is perfect except one little “flaw.”

She’s blind.

If you’re reading this because you’re wondering what it means to become the guardian of a blind cat, I’m so glad you found this post.

I’m here to tell you that adopting a blind cat is very much like adopting a sighted cat. Cats are amazingly resilient and get along quite well without the use of their eyes.

Between their keen senses of smell and hearing, and their magical whiskers, blind cats are capable of navigating, jumping, playing, and enjoying their lives every bit as well as cats with normal vision.

Adopting a blind cat is not just about doing a good deed, although giving a homeless cat with special needs a chance at love is very much a good deed. It’s an opportunity for you, as guardian, to experience the rarified joy that comes from caring for a creature with a disability.

I promise you won’t regret it.

What guardians of blinds cats have to say about the experience

For this post, I combed the Quora forums, sub-Reddits, and Facebook groups for some insight into what it’s like caring for a blind cat. Some themes emerged:

• Caring for a blind cat is much easier than you might think.
• Having a blind cat is very much like a having a sighted cat.
• Living with a blind a cat is deeply inspiring. Being privy to the daily bravery and spirit of a blind cat is moving and humbling.

Another often-repeated sentiment was this: that the blind cat was the poster’s favorite cat of all times. Some posters said they found themselves seeking out blind cats for adoption after their first.

Here are what some guardians of blinds cats had to say about the experience in their own words:

“I had a blind kitten. Found him in a ditch. Best cat I ever had! People were amazed when meeting him. He did everything like a normal cat. He even chased flies.”[1]

-Environmental-War645

“Having a blind cat is MUCH easier than people think. Cats rely on their eyesight far less than humans do. Our blind girl’s hearing and body/whisker sensory is superb. She chases toys, zoomies around the house, climbs on top of tables and chairs, and jumps up on our bed.”[2]

-cab-suave

“I fell in love with a blind cat…She's the best thing that's ever happened to me❤️. She has no issues with her litter box, eating, or getting around the house. She runs up and down the stairs with ease, hops on the bed and chairs.”[3]

-girlxghouls

“My boy loves playing with balls but needs assistance when he doesn’t find it after it rolls away. He has a unique purr he makes when he asks for help. There are moments that make having a blind cat the funniest and greatest experience ever.”[4]

-Reasonable-Win-6028

“I have two and they’re the best things that have happened to me.”[5]

-Zestyclose_Dot_3932

“I have two, born without eyes, and they are so good at doing everything, I thought they surely had some residual eye tissue that allowed them to see at least shadows and movement. It has since been confirmed there’s absolutely no eye tissue and no chance of sight. They’re just excellent at using their other senses. They run up and down the stairs and the cat trees. They play with toys and each other. They even catch bugs!"[6]

-Nice+antigram

“Almost didn't adopt the two I have because of these fears, but found them completely unfounded. We have their sighted brother for comparison, too. If anything, the blindies are more easy-going. We leave them alone while we go to work. We clicker train them. The blind girl goes outside on a leash. They love guests. They can find anything they want.[7]

-ayeayekitty

How do cats become blind?

Some cats are born without eyes or very small eyes that do not function. These cats have never experienced vision and so they don’t miss it. They learn to navigate the world using their other senses from the get-go.

Otherwise, cats can develop any one of number of diseases that cause permanent damage to their eyes.

Cataracts involve the clouding up of the eye’s lens, preventing light from entering the eye. Cataracts can be caused by trauma or disease, including diabetes.

Glaucoma, is a condition of the eye involving too much pressure building up within the eyeball, causing it to harden.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), is a group of inherited genetic diseases that cause a gradual deterioration of the retina.

Tumors that develop in the eye or near it can cause an eye to be unable to function properly.

Viruses, bacteria, parasitic, and fungal infections can damage the eyes. Cats who suffer from feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), and feline herpesvirus (FHP), are particularly vulnerable.

But the most common eye problem in cats is conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the conjunctiva – the lining of the eyelid and outer surface of the eyeball. It’s highly contagious, and usually a side effect of upper respiratory disease. Fortunately, conjunctivitis is highly treatable if caught early.[8]

How do I know if my cat is going blind?

In most cases, early diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases can keep a cat from losing his eyesight. This is why it’s important to recognize the early signs of vision loss, and to also bring your cat to the veterinarian for regular check-ups.

If your cat is demonstrating any of the following behaviors, schedule a veterinary appointment as soon as possible:

• Bumping into walls or objects
• Seeming reluctant to jump or climb
• Appearing disoriented
• Increasing vocalizations
• Seeming startled by sudden movements, especially on one side
• Swelling or discharge from an eye
• A change in the appearance of the eye: an enlarged eye, a cloudy eye, a change in color, pupils that remain dilated
• Apparent pain in the eye: squinting, keeping an eye closed, avoidance of petting on that side
• Walking cautiously

Does caring for a blind cat cost more, or involve more work?

Before adopting a blind cat, ask a shelter representative about the cause of the cat's blindness. Knowing the cause can help you anticipate future medical expenses, if any. Not all causes of blindness require ongoing treatment.

Otherwise, the only additional “work” involved in raising a blind cat will involve some very minor modifications to your home and way of living. I discuss these below.

How to help a blind cat adjust to your new home

(*Note: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases.)

These are tips collected from guardians of blind cats.

Introduce one room of the house at a time

When you first bring your blind cat home, confine her to one room of the house. This should be the room where you plan to keep the litter box and food and water dishes for all time, because she will learn to memorize their location in these early days with you.

As he becomes comfortable in this room, gradually expand his territory in your home, allowing him to explore a second room or hallway, one area at a time.

Don’t move the furniture and keep cabinet doors shut

Your blind cat will memorize the location of furniture. Moving furniture will be confusing to your blind cat, and even dangerous.

Keep other household things in place – don’t leave the door to the dishwasher open. Don’t leave the pantry door or kitchen cabinet doors open either. Your blind cat is not expecting those doors to be there!

Keep routines consistent

It’s hard enough for your blind cat to adjust to a new home and new people. Keep everything else in her life predictable. Stick to regular feeding times and play times. Routines will help your new cat feel more secure.

Use a water fountain instead of a water bowl

A water fountain makes noise. It will help your blind cat locate the water, and will help her remember to drink.

I like this pet fountain by Veken.

Choose a litter box with low sides

Since a blind cat can’t see how high the sides of the litter box are, it’s best to choose a litter box with low walls that can be easily stepped over.

A simple stainless steel litter box with low sides, like this one by Kirecoo would work.

Other tips and tricks for living with a blind cat

I love these other little tricks some guardians have shared that make life easier for their blind cats.

Tap to identify the location of food and treats

One cat guardian said she taps on the food bowl once its filled and placed on the floor. Another said he taps on the floor to help his cat “see” the location of a cat treat.

Keep the perimeter open

One blind cat guardian noticed that his cat navigated their home by walking along the walls. He accommodated his cat by keeping the perimeter of his home clear of furnishings and objects.

Buy noisy cat toys

Although many blind-cat guardians report that their cats play with everything, some noticed that their cats preferred toys that crinkle or contain bells.

Keep free space around the cat tree

Yes, blind cats will use a cat tree! Just make sure there is enough space around the base of the cat tree so that your cat won’t injure himself when he jumps down.

Keep the floor clear of debris

Don’t leave things on the floor. It’s so easy to drop a load of laundry on the floor, or plop a book or newspaper down. But your blind cat can’t see that something that wasn’t there yesterday is in her way today.

Put a bell on the collar of other pets

While your blind cat, with his acute senses of hearing and smell, probably knows exactly where his furry siblings are in the house, it doesn’t hurt to add a little tinkle bell to their collars.

Help your cat orient herself with texture

One guardian placed rugs with different textures around her home to be sure that her blind cat always knows exactly where she is. Texture can provide a reference point to a blind cat.

Don’t pick up the cat in one place and put him down in another

You may want to pick up your blind cat for cuddles. If so, put her back down exactly where you found her.

Or, if you have to remove your cat from one spot (to take him to the vet, for example), be sure to help him reorient himself when he gets back home. Place him near his litter box or food bowl – a place he’ll instantly recognize. Other good reference points include places where the flooring changes, such as where the kitchen tile meets the living room carpeting.

If you must move something, let the cat know

If you’ve added or moved a piece of furniture, tell the cat. One guardian carries her cat to the new object and taps all over it, until she’s sure the cat understands there’s a new obstacle there.

Take advantage of social media

Join Blind Cats United on Facebook to connect with other blind-cat guardians. Follow accounts like @fantastic.mr.fawkes on Instagram, or IamGooseontheLoose on TikTok to witness the full lives that blind cats enjoy.

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Dawn LaFontaine

Dawn LaFontaine is a lifelong animal lover who always seems to have a little pet hair in her keyboard. Her blog, Kitty Contemplations, helps cat guardians better understand and care for the special beings they share their lives and homes with. Her cat-products business, Cat in the Box, sells beautiful, well-made, and award-winning products that she designed to meet the biological needs of cats.