by Betty Carew

Created on: November 11, 2009   Last Updated: November 12, 2009

By the time that you notice signs that your dog is going blind he has probably been blind for awhile unless it was caused accidentally. Normally there is a process your dog will go through before complete blindness occurs and as blindness usually happens slowly they will adapt as they go. Besides accidents your dog can go blind due to things such as diabetes, or other illnesses. Regardless of the reason, your dog is far from needing to be thrown to the curb once you realize there is a problem. There are many ways you can help your dog deal with blindness and live a happy life.

The signs that your dog is losing his sight can be shown long after the blindness sets in. As blindness worsens you may notice that he is finding it more difficult to maneuver around furniture you have moved. Maybe you will notice that he jumps away as you go to pet him. This is due to not being able to see who is around him. If you move his food and water dish he may not locate it as quickly as he should. These are all signs that his sight is failing.

Dogs are wonderful souls. They accept life for what it is and still show the ones they love that their love is unconditional. Accepting your dog's blindness may be harder on you to deal with than it is for him. Remember your dog was born with an amazing sense of smell which serves him completely once blindness sets in. Here are a few suggestions on how to help your dog if he is going blind.

Don't pity your dog. Dogs can pick up on our every mood so you'll serve your dog better by talking to him the way you would before you knew blindness was setting in. Talk to him in a cheerful voice. It is important that you treat him no different due to his affliction. As dog owners, our hearts break when we see our companion caught in a situation such as blindness but you will do him more harm by treating him differently.

If your dog is one of many other animals in your home you can help your blind dog detect where the other animals are by placing some sort of bell on their necks. This way there is no chance of the other animals sneaking up on him and frightening him. When you are in the room make sure you talk to your dog in a loud clear voice so that he knows the direction to take if he needs to be by your side.

It is extremely important that everything in your home remains the same. Your dog is already aware of where things are and his scent will do the rest. If you move things around your dog may become confused and lose direction. If you have to

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