Home Care Tips For A Blind Cat
Posted on: 15 January 2015
If you have an older cat, then it is imperative that you seek out veterinary care regularly to make sure your cat is healthy. Cats can form a variety of difficulties like diabetes, cancer, and kidney disease as they age. An affordable veterinary clinic at a site like http://www.1stPetVet.com can help to keep your costs down as you care for your animal. A check up may reveal that your cat's eyesight has deteriorated. If this is the case, then follow the tips below to make sure that vision loss does not lead to hefty veterinary bills in the future.
Make Sure Your Cat Can Find You
If your cat is blind, then he may find it extremely difficult to find you in your home. Blindness can lead to timid behavior, but it may also make your cat seem more needy. When your cat cannot see, he may look to you for comfort. If you are unable to comfort your cat, then he may become stressed. Stress in cats can lead to improper urination, urinary tract infections, and cysts. Your cat may also vomit if he is stressed and this can reduce the amount of food and water he consumes. This can lead to weakness and dehydration concerns.
Wear a Bell
You can reduce your cat's stress by making sure he can find you at all times. Consider wearing a small bell on a bracelet of anklet that can help your cat find you. Also, consider placing a bell on the collars of other pets in your home. Your blind cat may follow seeing dogs and cats in your house to find food dishes, litter boxes, and pet beds.
You may want to differentiate yourself from your animals, so buy a small bell for yourself and a large one for your dog or cat. Bells make different sounds depending on the diameter of the metal casing surrounding the clapper. Your cat will learn the different sounds, so he can find who he needs.
Retain Your Cat's Sense of Smell
Your cat will rely heavily on his sense of smell and hearing if he can no longer see. Scent is used to find food, water, and litter boxes. Your cat also will find his own scent soothing when he identifies it on cat beds, toys, and furniture in the home. This means that you should try to help your cat retain his sense of smell so he can feel comfortable and navigate your home properly.
One good way to retain your cat's sense of smell is to make sure that your home is humid. Humidity helps to thin out nasal mucus so dirt, debris, and bacteria do not clog to the nasal passages. Consider purchasing a humidifier for your home with an accurate digital reading. Keep the humidity between about 45% and 55%. This will keep your cat's nose moist without allowing mold to form. Mold spores are as problematic for your cat's sinuses as they are for yours.
If you see debris around your cat's nose or if he sneezes a lot after you increase the indoor humidity, then consider flushing the nose with a saline spray. This will help to clear out the nose so your cat can smell properly. Purchase a plain saline mister from your local pharmacy and release about one-quarter of a squirt up each of your cat's nostrils.
Use Strong Scents
If your cat's sense of smell seems to have naturally reduced with age, then you may need to use a strong smell to help your cat identify beds, toys, food bowls, and other objects in your home. You do not want to use an offensive smell though, or your cat may avoid his belongings. Cats generally do not like citrus or mint odors. If you wear perfume or cologne though, then your cat may identify the smell with you. Also, cats like the smell of catnip and they may be attracted to the smell of meat as well.
If you have an older cat that is blind, then you need to provide special care at home to make sure your cat remains healthy, happy, and comfortable. Good care can also prevent injuries and illnesses that may require expensive treatments.
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