Cats, just like people, can go blind. Blindness is defined as the loss of vision in both eyes and may arise from illness, disease, or even an accident. In cats, it is often difficult to detect the onset of blindness because they have such extraordinary and sense of smell. They often compensate so well that the cat owner does not notice at all.
However, when vision is completely lost in both eyes, there are usually signs the cat owner can watch for. If a change in environment confuses your cat, the feline may be dealing with blindness. For example, if you move your living room couch, your cat may walk into it unexpectedly. Often this leads owners to conclude that their cat has suddenly gone blind, but the reality is that the cat has probably been having vision problems for some time, but had memorized his surroundings to compensate. When the surroundings change, memory no longer serves its purpose and little things happen, such as walking into a couch, table, or open cupboard door.
The Causes of Blindness in Cats
There are several things that might cause blindness in cats. Corneal disease is one of the most common, but it's not the only cause of blindness. Cataracts, which can be diagnosed by the white opacity of the lens of the eye, can occur in older cats, though younger cats seldom suffer from this ailment. Other illness and diseases that can result in blindness include:
- Severe anterior and/or posterior uveitis
- Retinal inflammation or infection
- Retinal detachment
- Glaucoma
- Diseases of the optic nerve, visual pathways, or the occipital cortex
If you cat has had any damage to the eyes, there is an increased chance of blindness. Scratches due to cat fights might seem like they're no big deal, but have them checked by a veterinarian anyway, just in case. The longer you wait, the greater the chance of blindness.
Symptoms of Blindness in Cats
You'll have to watch your cat carefully to detect vision loss, as cats are quite good at hiding this particular disability. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.
- Clumsiness, even if it's only occasional
- Inability to locate food, water, or the litter box if any of these things are moved even a few feet
- Excessive sleeping or chronic inattentive behavior
- Suddenly fearful and easily startled
- No longer plays or exhibits normal hunting behavior
- Bumps into objects that are plainly visible but not always present
If you even suspect that your cat may be going blind, you should take your cat to the veterinarian immediately. Blindness, especially sudden-onset (acute) blindness, is not something you can treat at home, regardless of the cause.
I've often been asked if cats can see color. In truth, this is a difficult question to answer with certainty. Asking a cat is only likely to get you a blank stare. And in all honesty, it doesn't really matter. Cats are hunters, so brightness is more important to their vision than color. They have to be able to see movement and texture. While hunting, color is of little use.
However, an answer to the question of colorblindness and cats can be divined by studying the construction of a cat's eye. The retina is the nerve center at the back of the eye. This retina is composed of cells called cones and rods. Cones are responsible for converting light into color. Rods are responsible for black and white. In the eye of a cat, rods greatly outnumber cones, which is why cats are generally considered to be colorblind.
It's important to note, however, that a cat still has cones. So it is possible, even likely, that a cat can see color. But the number of cones is limited, so your cat probably can't see shades of red. Blues, certainly, and probably greens and yellows.
But your cat doesn't need to see very many colors. Your cat has another advantage. He can see even in the dimmest of lights. Take a look at the eyes of your cat and you'll see why. He can open his eyes wider than you can and his pupil expands to full almost the entire eye, letting as much light in as possible. So hunting in the dark is no trouble for your cat.
In scientific terms, your cat's retinas allow him to see in about one-sixth of the light you need to see clearly. Objects at night appear six times brighter to him than you do to you. And the added rods allow him to detect minute movement, which is only beneficial when hunting.
So, your cat can't see all the colors you can. But he can see some colors and his vision is sharper than yours. It's a trade-off. Less color means more visual acuity. And a cat needs all the visual acuity he can get.
When you have pets, you have the occasional stain and odor. It's to be expected. With cats, you could have anything from urine, diarrhea, vomit, and hairballs. Especially hairballs. And all of these things leave stains and odors that we all wish we could get rid of. The stains are especially frustrating, since they always seem to occur in the worse possible locations. I recently had to eliminate a vomit stain from the middle of my light-colored carpet. Not pretty, and not easy to get out.
There are several problems when it comes to removing pet stains and the odors that accompany them. The first is time. In order to remove a pet stain completely, you have to get to it quickly. So don't wait until tomorrow to tackle that stain. The second problem is the odor. Not only is a lingering odor unpleasant, but if there is any odor left and the stain is cat urine, your cat will probably return to that same area and soil it all over again. Finally, the product you use to remove the stain and odor must be non-toxic and safe for cats. Otherwise, your cat might become ill from the cleaner.
Taking all these things into consideration, you'll have to select the product you'd like to use to remove pet stains. You'll want to have this on hand at all times so you don't risk having a stain set or discolor the area before you can get to it. Personally, I recommend Fizzion. Fizzion is a revolutionary product, removing stains and odors completely. It even works on stains that are years old. It certainly got the old stains out of my silver carpet.
But the best thing about Fizzion is that it works on all pet stains. Vomit, urine, you name it, Fizzion can handle it. At least, it has around here. There are other products on the market as well, usually available at your local pet store. Avoid grocery store brands. They're not as good as what your pet store or vet carries.
Whichever product you choose, make sure you tackle those stains your cat left immediately and thoroughly.
Though some people prefer a male or female cat for a pet, either sex will make a delightful companion with enough love and attention. Those planning to breed or show cats, however, must be a little more selective. Selecting a show cat is more complicated, time consuming, and expensive than purchasing a pet kitten.
Those inexperienced with show cats sometimes believe that just because a kitten can be registered, it can be shown. This may be true, but there is a fundamental difference between purchasing a show kitten and purchasing a kitten that can be shown. Even a kitten that is said to be show-quality, and is sold at a show-quality price, may not be good enough to be shown with any degree of success.
If you are seriously interested in purchasing a show cat with the potential to win, consider a young adult or older kitten, rather than a newborn. Some breeders will show their kittens, and then later sell them, so you might be able to get a kitten with a win or two on its résumé. If you don’t mind missing the pleasure of watching your kitten grow into a cat, then an older kitten or young adult cat might be a better choice than an untried kitten. Be aware that you will likely pay more for a kitten that has shown a potential for winning in the show ring.
Whether you want a kitten or an older cat, you should wait until a kitten is more than twelve weeks old before committing to buy. Kittens can change overnight, and no breeder can guarantee anything at only three months old. Regardless of what the breeder might tell you, a kitten that is six months old is less likely to change unexpectedly.
Before purchasing a show kitten, do your research. Visit shows, talk to breeders who work with the breed you’re interested in, watch that breed being judged, and make sure to sit through several finals in order to see what the show-winning representatives of that breed look like. Consult the breed Standard, as provided by the association with whom the kitten will be registered, and take that Standard with you when looking at kittens. Ask the breeder to show you where the kitten meets that Standard, and where it might fall short.
Remember that kittens are a genetic product of their parents, and their parents before them. Ask to see the pedigree of the kitten you’re considering, then look up each ancestor. Study the titles and awards the cats have won, especially in the first two generations. Cats without titles were either not shown or did not do well. If they were not shown, make sure you know why. A kitten with no champion or ‘grand’ in its pedigree might not be the best investment.
Beware of too much inbreeding. If your kitten was inbred (as can be discovered by studying the pedigree), check out any littermates of your potential kitten. Also ask to see pictures of any previous kittens from the breeding. If any of these kittens had abnormalities, then you should probably consider another litter.
Buying a show cat takes effort and a little investigation. Buy a kitten with an impressive pedigree, a pedigree that is stronger than either of its parents’ pedigrees taken alone, and you will not only obtain a quality show kitten, but you will assist in the enhancement of the breed.
