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Is It Cruel to Keep a Blind Dog?

 
Marta SarasĂșa
By Marta SarasĂșa, Psychologist. January 21, 2025
Is It Cruel to Keep a Blind Dog?
Dogs

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Whether hereditary, congenital or acquired, blindness in dogs is a condition which will significantly affect the level of care they will need. Blind dogs will need their guardians to provide specialized care that will ensure their safety despite a loss of vision. The level of vision loss can vary in the dog, with causes ranging from cataracts, diabetes mellitus, trauma, poisoning, genetic conditions or degenerative syndromes such as progressive retinal atrophy. Dogs have other senses which allow them to navigate their environment, with their sense of smell being particularly acute. However, the limitations caused by vision loss means some may ask is it cruel to keep a blind dog?

AnimalWised can categorically state that it is not cruel to keep a blind dog. Not only can a dog with vision loss have a very high quality of life, but the potential joy they can bring to a family is equal to that of any able-bodied dog. We learn more about why this is so as we look at dogs and blindness in more detail.

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Contents
  1. Is it cruel to keep a blind dog?
  2. Does a blind dog suffer?
  3. How to know if a blind dog is suffering
  4. Should I euthanize my blind dog?

Is it cruel to keep a blind dog?

It is preferable for a dog to have vision. They will be better able to navigate their environment, they do not become afraid of stimuli they cannot see and they can better avoid potential risks. Despite this, vision is not essential for a dog's happiness and well-being. If an animal has all of their practical, social, physiological and emotional needs well cared for, they can be as happy as any dog you could adopt into your family.

While vision is very useful, dogs are known for their very keen sense of smell. Dogs have may thousands more olfactory receptors than we do. This gives them the ability to recognize their environment and the objects within it by smell alone. This includes any human or animal family with whom they share their lives. Dogs also have sense of hearing much more acute than our own, also helping them to orient themselves.

Since they do not need to rely on their vision, blindness in dogs does not necessarily mean they will have any reduction in their quality of life. Blind dogs can continue to perform the behaviors typical of their species, such as relate to other dogs and people in an effective way. They can enjoy the outdoors and play with other animals, using their other senses to do so.

Adopting a blind dog or caring for a dog that has acquired vision loss is the opposite of cruelty. It is an act of kindness that gives protection for the dog, but also allows for the joy they can bring to a family. Vision loss does provide challenges, but they are not detrimental to the well-being of the dog or their guardians. We look at some of these challenges below.

Knowing whether a dog has vision loss is not always easy to determine, especially since they use their other senses so well. Learn how to tell if a dog is blind with our related guide.

Does a blind dog suffer?

As we have seen, dogs affected by blindness do not need to suffer and can adapt well to life. This adaptation will require effort on both the part of the dog and their guardians. The challenges this adaptation process provokes can differ, depending on whether the blindness is acquired or congenital:

  • Congenital blindness: animals born blind may have certain difficulties when it comes to expressing themselves and communicating with other animals. A large part of canine communication uses visual signals, so dogs blind from birth cannot recognize these in other dogs. However, dogs with congenital blindness will have the advantage of learning how to navigate a world without sight from the beginning. They have never had vision, so they will not even think of blindness as a disadvantage.
  • Acquired blindness: some dogs can acquire vision loss through disease, trauma or other exceptional circumstances. They will have to go through a process of adapting to their new circumstances, something which differs if the process is gradual or immediate. If a dog gradually loses sight due to a degenerative issue, they will adapt as they go along. Dogs which lose their vision suddenly can be traumatized and will require a period of adaptation that can be stressful. Since their world has changed suddenly, they can have greater levels of insecurity and fear which need to be addressed by caregivers.

It is important to remember that dogs are unable to interpret their emotions in the same complex way as humans. For example, they will not have the catastrophic or existential thoughts which can affect our own well-being. They may feel sad, disorientated or insecure for a period, but their resilience can be very impressive. Dogs are known for their ability to adapt and can learn quickly how to life without sight.

Better understand the limits of canine vision with our article asking what colors do dogs see?

How to know if a blind dog is suffering

In cases of congenital or gradual blindness, it is unlikely you will see sudden major changes in the animal's well-being due to blindness. Both will have had time to adapt to their circumstances without losing quality of life. Despite this, they can become frightened or even hurt when they are unable to see potential dangers. For example, it is very important to keep blind dogs on leash while walking to stop potential traffic collisions. Blind dogs may necessarily be more cautious or timid, but this does not mean they suffer.

Dogs which go blind suddenly may naturally become more fearful and insecure during their period of adaptation. This can manifest in various behaviors which include the following:

  • Hiding under furniture, in corners or in other isolated spaces.
  • Not responding when called.
  • Emitting calming signals (e.g. licking lips, turning head, tail between legs, etc.)
  • Appearing disorientated and not moving
  • Walking in a strange way
  • Refusing to eat, play or interact with other animals
  • Whining or showing signs of fear when they come across unknown stimuli
  • Spending a lot of time feeling nervous, panting, shaking or salivating

Vision loss will need to be diagnosed by a qualified veterinarian. When the level of vision loss is determined, they will be able to help you know how to adapt to their new care needs. This will include teaching basic commands, altering the environment for safety, ensuring calm and encouraging the use of their other senses. Doing so will help to gain self-confidence and improve well-being. The help of an ethologist or trainer can be very beneficial.

Discover more about potential causes of blindness with our article on common eye conditions in dogs.

Is It Cruel to Keep a Blind Dog? - How to know if a blind dog is suffering

Should I euthanize my blind dog?

You should never euthanize a dog simply because they have lost vision. The only legally and ethically acceptable reason for euthanizing an animal is to alleviate suffering that cannot be solved by other means. Sometimes pathologies which lead to blindness can cause other symptoms such as pain which can drastically reduce the quality of life. In these cases, euthanasia may be the most humane course of action to avoid suffering.

In cases where blindness is not accompanied by other detrimental health conditions, their loss of vision does not have to affect their quality of life. Euthanizing a dog in this condition is completely unjustified. As responsible guardians, we will need to help them adjust to living with vision loss and adapt their routines accordingly. If you cannot meet this responsibility, you may need to consider rehoming the dog somewhere their needs can be met.

Learn more about caring for dogs with serious health conditions in our article asking should a dog with dementia be euthanized?

If you want to read similar articles to Is It Cruel to Keep a Blind Dog?, we recommend you visit our Extra care category.

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