Cats, like all other animals, are subject to illnesses and deficiencies of all kinds. And blindness is one of those disabilities. Whether due to illness, accident, or even a scar from a fight, blindness in cats is a reality.

So, let's start with the basic question: do you know what can make your cat go blind (besides physical reasons – like accidents or fights)? Do you know how to notice signs that something, in your cat's eyes, is not going well?

And if your cat goes blind, do you know how to take care of it? What adaptations are needed in your home? Seeking to solve these and other questions, we went after questions and answers about blind cats.

The important thing is for you to know: cats are animals whose 5 senses are extremely refined. So if your cat goes blind, he still has hearing, smell, touch and taste. Soon, it will be able to live as long, and as well, as any other cat. Proof of this is Stevie Wonder, a cute blind English cat who plays the piano.

So, check it out here, all about feline blindness and how to care for a blind cat!

Blindness in cats can happen due to several factors, from diseases to genetic problems, passing, of course, through accidents (for example, an object falls on the cat) or scars (for example, the cat fights with another animal).

In the case of genetic factors, it may be possible to delay blindness or even prevent it. But that's up to the vet to determine. The diagnosis, in turn, is made based on several tests, and also based on the animal's history, if it exists (if it is a breeding cat, for example).

So let's go to feline diseases that can cause blindness. Some cat diseases can lead the animal to go blind, but as a secondary symptom. Others are diseases that necessarily attack the organs of vision. In almost all cases, these are treatable and preventable diseases.

Some diseases attack multiple organs in your cat, including the eyes. This is the case of diseases such as Diabetes or Hyperthyroidism (of metabolic origin, that is, caused by the malfunction of an organ) or Myiasis and Toxoplasmosis (caused by external agents).

When we say “external agents”, we think of viruses, bacteria, protozoa, or even flies and larvae. These “external agent” diseases usually start by affecting other organs in cats – the digestive system, the respiratory system, the central nervous system.

Therefore, blindness is another one of these symptoms. So, when the cat goes blind, having one of these diseases, he probably already has the infection in an advanced stage, in the other organs. Who will determine this stage, the symptoms and the treatments is always the veterinarian.

When the disease is of metabolic origin, it means that your cat is suffering from an organ malfunction, and this is affecting other parts of his body. So, your cat will probably be suffering symptoms such as weight loss, bad hair appearance, urine with a different smell or color, locomotion difficulties and so on.

That is, blindness will be one more symptom.

For all these reasons, visiting the veterinarian regularly, and before any symptoms appear, is essential. Blindness, in these cases, is a symptom that the disease is in an advanced stage. Taking care of your cat's health involves predicting future illnesses and taking care that they do not appear.

Cats can also go blind from diseases that specifically attack the eyes. The best known are glaucoma and cataracts. They are diseases that attack human beings, and their origin is metabolic, that is, they are problems in the metabolism of the eyes, and can be treated, when diagnosed in time.

Diseases such as keratitis and uveitis can be caused by injuries or external agents. In both cases, they are eye diseases (that is, “exclusively” of the eyes), and they can be treated, too, when diagnosed at the beginning.

Finally, there is progressive retinal atrophy. This disease is more of a genetic condition, and the bad part is that there is no cure. Despite this, she can be retarded.

For these reasons, it's important for you to know how to identify signs of vision loss in your cat. If he bumps into things, if he looks at you but doesn't seem to be paying attention, if he can't pick up some objects, take him to the vet.

Sometimes what looks like a sign of blindness is just trickery. And sometimes what looks like morning is a sign of some degree of vision loss. Therefore, consultations with the veterinarian are always important.

If, despite all the care and attention, your cat loses its sight, the important thing is not to be alarmed. Cats are very adaptable animals. They have much better hearing and smell than ours. Their body hair and whiskers help them perceive the environment.

So what you need to do are some adaptations. And continue with love and care for your feline, of course. The main tips are:

If before you left the doors and windows of the house open, from now on, avoid it. Your blind cat can still smell and hear sounds, so he might be attracted to something outside your home.

Without vision, the chance of him getting hit or missing is much higher. In addition, he will no longer be able to avoid sudden falls, in the case of a window. So invest in protective nets and bars.

Now your cat can no longer find his way around the house. So, he can even guide himself to the litter box or the food pot, by the smell. However, the chance of him being lost and making the wrong path is greater.

The tip is to increase the amount of water fountains and litter boxes spread around the house. It will make your cat's life easier.

If your cat is older, he will certainly have a visual memory of your home. So, avoid moving furniture around. Your cat will be guided by the smells and the visual memory that the smell of that place brings him.

So, if you change a sofa or put a new plant in a passageway, for example, the chance of your cat being surprised and bumping into the piece of furniture is greater. Make passages and access easier for him.

As much as your cat probably perceives your presence by smell, it's best for you to always demonstrate that you're close by making noises. When you are close to him, call your cat, make noises, approach your hand slowly.

Avoid touching your cat from behind if he is not on your lap. At first, he might get scared and scratch you. Prefer to approach with snacks, and slowly.

If your cat has gone blind, don't despair. At first, you two will need to get used to some things, but it's nothing that love, patience and affection can't make it easier. Well-groomed, well-fed, and vaccinated blind cats live as long as sighted cats.

Your cat will still be able to play and interact. You just have to be willing to do it.

If you want to read more content about cats, take a look at this article we prepared below!