The best products for blind cats include toys that made sounds, small cat furniture, food puzzles, and stairs.

Cats rely heavily on scents and routines to get around in life. So living without vision is not as horrible as you might think.

Blind cats can live a very happy life without their eyesight.

But there are some things we need to keep in mind for our blind cats to be happy.

best products for blind cats wand toys
My family cat Hemi was blind due to kidney failure but he loved to play

Here are the best products for blind cats:

Disclaimer: I earn a commission if you purchase through affiliate links below. No additional cost to you.

Wand toys

Wand toys are a great choice for blind cats because they are interactive and require you to play.

cat playing with wand toy

Best wand toys:

Create sounds with your toys. This will help your blind cat play because he can hear it.

You can clack the toys on the floor, make a whirring sound with the wire, or rub it on the carpet.

Tip: Check out my “my cat isn’t interested in playing” and Cat Dancer guides for more help with playtime.

Catnip toys

Catnip toys attract cats because most cats go crazy for catnip.

You can DIY catnip toys with felt and organic catnip very easily.

Best catnip toys on Etsy:

Give silvervine a try if your cat doesn’t fancy catnip. Studies show more cats respond to silvervine when compared to catnip!

Blind cats rely on scents and sounds. So catnip toys are wonderful for enrichment.

Hide catnip toys around your home to give your blind cat some fun hunting experience.

Activity centers

Cats love activity centers because it keeps them busy when you aren’t home. Blind cats need activity centers too.

ripple rug

Best cat activity center:

  • The Ripple Rug on Amazon and Chewy. Versatile and easy to clean. Buy from their website for more color options and international shipping.
  • Food foraging mat on Amazon and Etsy. Super fun for treat hunting.

Hide treats and catnip toys inside the activity centers. Your cat will love it!

Use healthy treats like muscle meats and organs. Start with green tripe or salmon. Both have a distinct smell and will help your blind cat navigate the puzzle toys.

My favorite brands are Hare Today and A Better Treat.

Leave the activity centers in the same area. Your blind cat can get confused if you move them.

Tip: Check out my complete guide to this fun cat play rug.

Ball track toys

Ball track toys are a lot of fun for cats because it simulates the hunting experience. Cats have to use their paws to make the ball go around the track.

Best ball track toys:

These toys are great because the ball makes a sound as it rolls around. This sound will help your cat judge where the ball is.

Comfy beds

Warm, comfy beds are crucial for cats. Even if they sleep in bed with you.

organic eco friendly cat bed

Best cat beds:

My cat, Jericho, cuddles with me every night in bed. But he still likes to have private beds.

He loves to curl up in my lap in the organic cotton sleeping bag.

Scratching pad

Scratching surfaces are a must with all cats. Cats have a natural urge to scratch, and it calms them.

Best scratching pads:

Scratcher pads should stay in the same area as well. Don’t forget to teach your cat how to use it!

Tip: Scratch on it yourself, hide healthy treats, or sprinkle organic catnip to get your cat interested.

Cat condos

Cats love to climb and perch. Blind cats need safe places to do this so choose smaller condos.

Best cat condos:

The condos above are easy to navigate and don’t stand too tall.

Food puzzles

Food puzzles provide enrichment and mental stimulation. Your cat will use his strong sense of smell to find yummy rewards.

eco friendly cat toys

Best food puzzles:

Wash these after use to prevent bacteria buildup.

Or you can DIY a food puzzle toy with toilet paper rolls and a food mat. Use new TP rolls each time to keep it clean.

Tip: These work best with healthy cat treats. Cat “dental” treats are filled with garbage and kibble is bad for cats.

Cat stairs

Stairs can create a safer way for blind cats to navigate. Stairs come in handy if your bed, couch, or other cat-approved areas are difficult to reach.

cat furniture for small apartments cat ladder
Jericho climbs, perches, and scratches on his Cat Ladder daily

Best cat stairs on Etsy:

You can also put this by the window if your cat likes to nap in the warm sun. Each level is soft and perfect for napping or scratching.

Blind cat care tips

These tips work for all cats. But blind cats may need some extra love and attention to detail.

Keep home layout consistent

Cats need routine in their lives to stay happy and comfortable.

Imagine if you lived outside and fought for your survival.

You’d want your day to be predictable, right?

This is how we have to live with our domesticated cats.

These instincts are ingrained. Even if they have never been outside.

Don’t move things around too often. Especially your blind cat’s stuff.

Exercise and stimulation

Just because your blind cat can’t see, that doesn’t mean he can’t play or get exercise.

Wild cats get a lot of enrichment and mental stimulation from hunting.

They have to problem-solve to catch their prey. All of this work provides mental stimulation.

Since indoor cats don’t hunt, we need to provide enrichment with playtime. Use sounds and scents to make this fun for your blind cat.

Provide multiple litter boxes

I’m sure you’ve heard the rule: one box per cat, plus one extra.

You should have more than one box for blind cats.

Even if he is your only cat.

This will make your cat’s bathroom routine super simple. Cats refuse the litter box for many reasons.

Sometimes the solution is as simple as offering more options. Cats prefer and deserve a clean bathroom!

Check out my 5 mins/week litter cleaning routine.

Cat furniture is needed

Again, blind cats are no different. They love cat furniture just like everyone else.

Condos, scratching posts, beds, and activity centers are a must. Even if your cat can’t see.

Just make it a little easier for your blind cat to climb. Make sure it’s safe to use unsupervised, like while you work.

Tip: Check out my guide for cat furniture for small spaces.

kitten poofy tail

My cat was partially blind

One of my cats, Hemi, was partially blind.

Whenever I visit my parents, he greeted me with a happy and excited poofy tail. Hemi loved my visits because we played a lot.

Hemi was friendly, always happy, and loved to play even though he was partially blind. He bumped into things and couldn’t see the toys well.

But he didn’t let that get him down.

I was able to play with Hemi because I made sounds with the toys.

Hemi could see the toys a bit more because he heard them. Check out my video on Instagram where I play with Hemi and a wand toy.

I’ve worked as a cat sitter for 3 years and have cared for a few clients whose cats are blind. They are both lovey-dovey, meet me at the door when I arrive, and love petting and playing.

Give your cat a confident and comfortable life with the digital + printable Cat Care Binder so you can become best buds.

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litter box area

Litter box for blind cat

I will always recommend a stainless steel litter box because it is the most sanitary. Plastic is porous and traps bacteria.

Even with frequent cleaning, you have to replace plastic litter boxes regularly.

A stainless steel litter box is a one-time purchase. The material is non-porous, easy to clean, and scratch-resistant.

Try a cookie baking sheet instead if your blind cat has issues getting in and out of the box.

Don’t fill the whole tray. Put a large pile of cat litter in the center of the cookie sheet.

Scoop and reshape the pile after each use. Clean it out completely once weekly using hot water and unscented soap.

This is the routine I use for keeping the litter area clean. I spend around 5 mins/week.

Make sure you use a large double-layer litter mat to trap track litter. You can get one on Amazon, Chewy, and Only Natural Pet.

Or you can use the Ripple Rug bottom only which is super soft on paws and machine-washable.

Is my cat blind?

Your cat may be blind if you notice that he bumps into things, is clumsy, or his pupils don’t dilate quickly.

One of my cats, Hemi, was partially blind. I noticed this because his pupils were usually fully dilated in the bright sun. And his movements seemed delayed in response to toys and playtime.

We found out that Hemi was partially blind due to kidney failure. 

Cat pupils dilate within seconds. Human eyes take around 45 minutes to adjust to the light.

Our pupils let light in and allow us to see better. When there is a bright light, our pupils get smaller. In the dim light, our pupils increase in size to let more light in.

The domesticated cat’s pupils are also vertical. This allows them to dilate quickly and focus on prey that is close to the ground.

Fun fact: Large cats like lions and tigers have circular pupils like humans. Large cats are active foragers that chase down prey. Our smaller, domesticated cats are ambush predators that rely on stealth and strategy.

Some common symptoms that lead to eye disorders include:

  • Excessive tearing
  • Red eyes
  • A black spot on the eye
  • Squinting
  • Cloudiness
  • Discharge in the eye and nose
  • Rubbing of the eyes

Consult with your veterinarian immediately if you notice any sudden changes to eye color or behavior.

Eye infections can get worse if left untreated. Any behavior changes with your cat can be a warning signal for an underlying medical issue.

blind cat eyes glossy and large pupils

Blind cat eyes

You may notice that the cat’s pupils are very large, even in bright light. This is how I knew that Hemi was partially blind just by looking at him. His pupils remained quite large in daylight when they should be a skinny slit.

You might be wondering why his eyes are cloudy and blueish if your cat is completely blind.

There are a few frequent diseases that can cause permanent damage to the cat’s eyes if left untreated.

These disorders can cause a change in the eyes’ appearance.

  • Conjunctivitis is the most frequently diagnosed eye disorder and affects the lining of the eyelid and eyeball. This is usually a by-product of an upper respiratory disease and is highly contagious to other cats.
  • Cataracts cause the lens in the eyes to completely cloud up. This prevents light from entering the eye.
  • Glaucoma causes the eye to harden due to excessive fluid pressure.
  • Progressive retinal atrophy degenerates the retinal tissue and it loses its ability to function properly.
  • Tumors, either benign or malignant, can develop within the eye or near it.

Many other feline eye diseases are caused by viruses and bacteria that directly affect cats such as:

  • Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
  • Toxoplasma (a parasitic organism)
  • Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
  • Cryptococcus (a yeast-like fungus commonly found in soil)
  • Feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIP)
  • Feline herpesvirus (FHP)

The three most common severe eye diseases that lead to blindness are:

  • Inflammation of the uvea, the ciliary body, and the choroid. This disease is most often associated with FIV, FeLV, FIP and other infectious organisms. It is usually chronic and is likely to result in gradual blindness.
  • Retinal detachment. The retina is separated from its underlying tissue, typically resulting from leakage or oversupply of fluid between the two layers. This is mostly associated with high blood pressure, an overly active thyroid gland, and kidney disease.
  • Trauma and other corneal lacerations. These include cuts on the outer surface of the eye and head injuries.

Try a holistic vet if your cat is experiencing these issues.

blind cat in bathroom

Should I put down a blind cat?

No! You should not put down a blind cat just because he is blind.

Blind cats live a very happy life indoors with proper enrichment and stimulation.

Cats without vision learn their surroundings based on scents and routine.

They adjust to their new lifestyle easily, and they are still loving companions.

It’s our responsibility as pet parents to provide the best life we can to our cats, regardless of their health issues. If your veterinarian says that your blind cat is not suffering, please do not put him down.

One of those blind cats I work with had both of her eyes removed because her eye infections were so bad.

She recovered well from the surgery. And she’s the most loving, affectionate, and playful cat I’ve ever met.

Adopting a blind cat

If you are in the position to adopt a special needs cat, please do. Some shelters don’t even give blind cats a chance, and they are often euthanized simply because they are blind.

Adopting a blind cat is rewarding because you are saving a life. Blind cats are very loving companions that just need a little patience and understanding.

Blind cats deserve the same amount of love and care.

Provide enrichment and stimulation with the products mentioned above, and your cat will be happy.

Remember to keep routines consistent, and don’t move things around in your home.

Your blind cat will memorize layouts and navigate easily if your routines stay the same.

Get the right cat supplies and be consistent with your home layout.

Need some help forming a strong bond with your blind cat? Check out how to form a strong bond next!

pin image best products for blind cats

Hey friends! It's Jess and Jericho helping you feed your cat better! If you're ready to ditch low-quality processed cat food and nourish your cat with real food, then this website is for you.