How Can You Tell If a Cat Has Vision Problems?

Abnormal looking eyes, being clumsy, sniffing things out and occasional accidents are just some of the warning signs that your beloved fur ball could have vision problems. If you suspect something is wrong with your cat̵7;s vision, it̵7;s time to get her to the vet right away. Age-related vision loss can̵7;t be cured, but if she has an injury or something treatable, vision loss can be delayed or possibly prevented.

  1. Visual Changes in Eyes

    • When your purring pal was younger, she had bright white and clear eyes. As her vision starts slipping though, which is often due to old age, her eyes will appear cloudy instead. You̵7;ll notice a fuzzy-looking coating over her eyeballs. Her pupils could be different sizes, the iris of her eyes can change colors or she might paw at her eyes. These signs usually indicate some level of vision loss.

    Furniture Run-Ins

    • If your mischievous mate used to go running down the hall, racing up and down the stairs, all while sporadically leaping from every piece of furniture you have, this behavior might be affected when poor vision sets in. Running into the side of the sofa or table legs, or being hesitant while on the stairs, are clues that your pal may not be able to see well. These run-ins can start out only at night, although as vision problems progress, she could start having issues during daylight hours -- or in a well-lit room -- as well.

    Nose First

    • Sniffing out everything before moving forward is a clue that your purring princess̵7; vision isn̵7;t as clear as it used to be. As her vision diminishes, she̵7;ll rely more heavily on her nose. This sign can be obvious when mealtime rolls around. Instead of delving right in to her entrée, she̵7;ll stop and sniff it to get a better sense as to exactly where her food is. She may do this with her water dish too. Because she can̵7;t see the water line, she̵7;ll sniff to see where the water is or accidentally plunge her face in it.

    Potty Accidents

    • Felines are generally clean animals. Your fuzzy companion spends a large chunk of her day grooming herself and even goes as far as burying her business. If she̵7;s struggling to see though, she might have a hard time finding her potty. Instead of ̶0;going̶1; in the litter, she may leave you presents elsewhere in the house. After all, she couldn̵7;t see well enough to make it to her toilet. Or if she does make it to the box, she could go potty over the edge.