Toys for blind and deaf dogs

Blind and deaf dogs still love to play

Losing sight or hearing changes how a dog plays, not whether they want to. A vet quoted by AAHA says blindness or deafness has minimal impact on quality of life for most pets.^[1]

Blind dogs still love play time with their favorite toys and long walks. The veterinary ophthalmologists at ACVO suggest keeping up your dog's routine and treating them the same way you did before.^[2]

Deaf dogs can live long, full lives too. Because they rely on their eyes, they tend to pay close attention to their surroundings, which helps with training.^[5]

Sudden changes: see your vet first

Some dogs lose sight or hearing slowly with age. Others are born deaf, and some lose hearing because of chronic ear infections. Blindness can have many causes, including serious conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.^[5],[6]

• Signs of vision loss: walking slowly and carefully, bumping into people or furniture, not finding toys or food bowls, hesitating on stairs or furniture, and cloudy eyes or pupils that don't react to light.^[9],[6]
• Changes in mood: a dog losing their sight may seem anxious or clingy in new places, stop making eye contact, or startle easily, sometimes even aggressively.^[6]

Toys and games for blind dogs

A blind dog finds a toy with their ears and nose, so pick toys that make noise or carry a smell.^[2],[3]

• Toys that make noise. Toys with bells, squeakers, or a crackle help your dog use their hearing. A rubber ball with a bell inside suits ball-loving dogs, since the sound helps them track it.^[2],[3],[9]
• Toys that smell. Pick toys that are already scented, or add a scent of your own so your dog can track them. We use a smear of their usual food rather than anything perfumed.^[2],[3]
• Roll, don't launch. A toy rolled a short way along the floor keeps making noise and stays close, so your dog can follow it. A long throw that goes quiet on landing is hard to find.
• Easy puzzles. Puzzle games are fun and mentally stimulating. An easy homemade version is a muffin tin with a tennis ball in each cup and treats hidden underneath.^[3]

Toys and games for deaf dogs

A deaf dog can't hear a squeaker or your voice, so play works best when it's visual. Use toys and visual cues rather than sound-based games.^[5]

• Toys that are easy to see. A bright toy, or one that glows in dim light, is easier for your dog to keep track of. Keep throws short and in view, and play in a safely enclosed area or on a leash: a deaf dog who wanders off can't hear you call.^[3]
• A visual 'yes'. Instead of a clicker, use a visual marker such as a thumbs up or a hand flash, then give a treat. Clear, consistent hand signals matter more than which signs you pick.^[3],[1]
• Teach 'watch me'. A 'look at me' cue is one of the most useful things a deaf dog can learn. Some people sweep a finger up to their face or tap next to their eye, and others teach the dog to look over when they stomp a foot.^[4]
• Light and vibration. Flicking a light or stomping the floor can get a deaf dog's attention. Some owners use a vibrating collar that, once the dog is conditioned to it, means 'look at me'.^[1],[3],[4]
• Games with contact. Tug and gentle play with your hands keep you and your dog in touch through the whole game, so they always know where you and the toy are.

Scent games work for both

Sniffing games are just as fun and stimulating for deaf dogs as for blind dogs, and they need no sight or hearing at all.^[3]

• Find it. Hide smelly treats in and under objects within a small area, then let your dog sniff them out.^[3]
• Start close. Keep the first hides near your dog and easy to find, then spread them out once they get the idea. We keep sessions short and stop while it's still fun.
• Food toys. A rubber toy that holds treats gives your dog something to find by smell and then work at. Use part of their normal food so the extras don't add up.

Keep the play space consistent and safe

Your dog builds a mental map of your home and relies on it to get around. Keep furniture where it is, and keep daily routines like meals, walks, and potty breaks predictable.^[1],[2]

• A home base. Set up one spot with your dog's crate, bed, food, and water. We keep a toy basket there too, so your dog always knows where to look.^[2]
• Block the hazards. Put safety gates across stairs, pools, and places your dog could get trapped or hurt. Dog-proof sharp furniture edges, and secure hazards like fireplaces.^[2],[9]
• Leash or fence outside. Deaf dogs can't hear you call or hear traffic, so they should never be off leash near a street. Blind dogs shouldn't play outside unsupervised unless the area is fenced or they're on a leash.^[5],[2],[3]
• Mark places with touch and smell. Voice, touch, and scent markers help a blind dog find their way.^[1]

Signals, and how not to startle your dog

Blind and deaf dogs can both be startled easily, and a dog losing their sight may even react aggressively when surprised. Always let your dog know you're there before you touch them.^[3],[6],[1]

• Blind dogs: talk first. Speak before you touch, in your normal voice. Talking louder or yelling only adds stress.^[3],[2]
• Blind dogs: jingle. Wearing something that jingles, or putting bells on other pets, helps your dog know who's coming and stay connected to you.^[2],[3]
• Blind dogs: touch and word cues. Teach a shoulder tap to mean 'turn toward me', followed by a treat. Words like 'stop' or 'step up' help in unfamiliar places.^[3],[2]
• Deaf dogs: wake them gently. Deaf dogs may startle if touched while asleep or looking away. Firmly tapping a foot nearby is enough to wake them, or put your hand near their nose so they smell you.^[3],[5],[4]
• Deaf dogs: make surprises pleasant. You can teach your dog that being startled is a good thing by giving a treat right away each time it happens.^[4]