Cataracts are a common cause of visual impairment and blindness in dogs, significantly affecting welfare and requiring management support from attentive owners.
Vision loss from cataracts causes anxiety and disorientation, particularly in unfamiliar environments. Blind dogs may become noise-reactive and struggle with spatial navigation in changing environments. The welfare impact depends significantly on how owners adapt their management. Dogs that go blind gradually often adapt better than those with sudden vision loss. Social and environmental enrichment through scent and touch can compensate for visual deficits.