How To Care for a Blind Cat

My cat, Boo, is blind. I don't believe he was blind from birth but he is now officially blind according to the vet. It takes a little while for you to realize that he can't see; you certainly can't tell right away by looking at him. I only started noticing because he would occasionally walk into a wall and had a hard time finding toys I threw. He runs and plays like any other cat, and is just as curious. He does not like a shut door and at night he has to sleep right up against me. He is very friendly with visitors just as long as they talk to him and pet him.

1. Don't let your cat outside. Being outside is dangerous enough for a cat but a blind one is at a definite disadvantage. There are too many dangers from other animals, traffic, and people.
2. Don't rearrange the furniture too often. The cat gets used to the layout of the furniture. Move it too often and he will become more cautious and less confident. Not to mention he will probably walk into things a lot more often.
3. Keep the litter box in the same place. This is just common sense. If you do move it, call your cat over to it so he can know where it is. Also, in the same vein, make sure his food and water dishes are always in the same place.
4. Make sure hazards are removed. Avoid placing sharp items low enough that your cat could walk into them and possibly injure himself.
5. Talk to him when you come into the room and make sure you pet him often. While a blind cat will hear you come into the room, he might not necessarily know it's you right away, and might be afraid.
6. Reassure him often. Just let the cat know that he is special to you. With a seeing cat, looking at him can convey feelings; with a blind cat you need to be a little more hands-on.
7. Provide toys that make noise and are easy to find. There are lots of toys with bells in them or hard plastic balls that amuse cats.

Cats can adapt very easily to being blind. They will get used to the layout and smells of your home quite quickly. They are every bit as affectionate as seeing cats, maybe even more. My cat comes up to me many times during the day for pets and to know that I am there.