Like humans, our pets’ vision worsens with age. But since they can’t tell us what’s happening, we need to watch closely for behavioral cues.

Pets with failing vision may be more hesitant when navigating their usual environment. They might bump into things and misjudge distances due to faulty depth perception. A quieter, less energetic demeanor is also a clue that something’s up. Uncharacteristic behavior to other people or pets may also be a sign of fear or anxiety related to vision loss.

Once we detect a problem, we can make things easier for our pets. That includes maintaining consistency in their environment, keeping them away from potential hazards — like bodies of water and stairways — and providing other sensory cues to alert them or remind them where they are.