It may seem like bitter irony to be thinking of “normal” when your pet can’t walk or is otherwise disabled. Yet your pet may not even realize that they are disabled, and will usually adapt to their new restrictions quite easily. They take each day as it comes without much thought, and may be perfectly capable of leading a healthy and happy life despite their disabilities.

It’s true that they will need special care, with you as the service person. However, they are incapable of feeling sorry for themselves, unlike most humans. The best thing you can do for your pet is to give them a normal life and enjoy their company.

Blind pets

Dogs rely more on their sense of smell rather than their sight, so blindness may not affect them as much as you might think. In fact, it may be some time before you even realize they’re blind. The case is otherwise for cats, but you can help them adjust by making a few changes in the surroundings.

• Encourage their sense of smell by hiding distinctively scented treats in toys, motivating them to “follow their nose”
• Clear hallways and floors of clutter to give them passage with a minimum of bumps
• Acclimatize your pet to the layout of the home by leading them around them several times
• Continue to take your pet for walks, but make sure they stay close and on a leash to control encounters with aggressive animals
• Talk to your pet to give them a sense of security

Deaf pets

Both dogs and cats have acute hearing, and unless they were born deaf, you will both need some retraining to cope with its loss.

• You have to learn to use hand signals to take the place of spoken commands, so practice with your pet
• Get their attention by touching them or making eye contact; try not to sneak up on them by taking firm steps they can feel
• Keep one light on at all times where your pet stays to give them a sense of security