8 Essential Products for Blind Dogs – 2024 Reviews and Top Picks
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As all dog owners understand, your commitment to your beloved canine involves treating its health issues as it ages. If your dog has any sight issues, you need to be prepared to combat the illness. Losing its sight does not mean it has lost any sense of playfulness and curiosity.
We have found some pretty terrific products that will make your dog’s sensory experiences much better day-to-day. So come along with us as we explore these top eight products for blind dogs—see which one could enhance your best buddy’s life.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall | Muffin's Halo For Blind Dogs |
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Best For Puppies | Lanco Sensory Puppy Toys |
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Premium Choice | Thundershirt Anxiety Jacket |
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Blind Dog Vest Harness |
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Nina Ottosson Outward Hound |
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The 8 Essential Products for Blind Dogs
1. Muffin’s Halo For Blind Dogs – Best Overall
Purpose: | Safety, protection |
Features: | Harness, D-ring attachment, safeguard |
When it comes to the best overall product for blind dogs, we loved the Muffin’s Halo for Blind Dogs. This can benefit any canine with vision issues. It provides an extra little protection barrier against sharp corners, other animals, and miscellaneous objects.
We love how easy it is to put on and how well it protects. It has Velcro attachments on the chest and underbelly portions, creating a perfect fit. It will help your dog navigate better around its environment without obstructing its path.
There is also a D-ring attachment in the back for out-of-the-house walks, making it convenient for outings. There are four sizes, so it fits virtually any canine. We think every blind dog should have one.
- Guards head
- Detachable parts
- Doubles as a harness
- A bit pricey
2. Lanco Sensory Dog Toys for Puppies – Best For Puppies
Purpose: | Teething, sensory |
Features: | Textures for sensory |
If your dog is blind from birth, this Lanco Sensory Dog Toy for Puppies is the perfect interactive piece. What we loved most about this toy as it is chew-resistant and easy to wash. So, it makes cleanup a breeze. Plus, you can keep it sanitary for your little pooch.
The company touts the composition of hand-painted rubber. The product is 100% BPA-free, meaning it’s completely safe for oral use. The safety is comparable to that of children’s toys, and the squeaker isn’t too noisy either. That way, your dog can have fun without disrupting the whole house.
We really enjoy how adorable this toy is and how nicely it’s made. The company really backs its products, so you can almost guarantee satisfaction. As far as safety for blind puppies, this toy gets an A-plus rating from us, but it might not work for larger breeds.
- Fun colors
- Durable
- Puppy-safe
- Might not work for larger breeds
3. Thundershirt Dog Anxiety Jacket – Premium Choice
Purpose: | Calming anxiety, soothing |
Features: | Weighted fit |
If you have a rather anxious pooch, the Thundershirt Sport Dog Anxiety Jacket is an excellent resource for you. Since they can’t see, hearing sounds and smelling things that they’re unfamiliar with can make a dog extremely nervous, especially in a new environment. But this product is weighted to calm down that anxiety.
The jacket is heavy-duty and very well-made. It fits comfortably without hugging or restricting too tightly. You can buy this weighted jacket in any size ranging from XXS to XXL—so you’re sure to find one that fits.
One major upside to this product is that the company offers a 100% money-back guarantee. It has been shown to be highly effective in many study cases. However, it still might not work for every dog.
- Weighted
- Perfect fit
- Effective
- Might not quell anxiety for all dogs
4. Blind Dog Nylon Dog Vest Harness
Purpose: | Warning others |
Features: | Patches, safety harness |
If you take your dog out in public, it is good for them to wear a harness that lets other people know their condition. The Blind Dog Nylon Dog Vest Harness allows others to be extra cautious around your dog as well as control their own. We think that most blind dogs would benefit, especially if their case requires a conversation before petting.
We really love the composition of the harness since it’s so well made and easy to take on and off. It has adjustable straps with incredibly durable buckles. You can also remove the label, as there is a Velcro piece that fits over to attach.
One piece of advice we can give before you purchase is to measure your dog appropriately. Even if you think you know what size your dog wears, it’s important to follow the chart precisely. We did have a bit of a sizing issue, but otherwise, the durability of the design is top-notch.
- Removable patches
- Durable design
- Breathable wear
- Finicky sizing chart
5. Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound
Purpose: | Sensory stimulation |
Features: | Treat compartments |
If you’re looking for an exciting interactive game that your blind dog can play, the Nina Ottosson by Outward HoundNina Ottosson by Outward Hound is an excellent pick. You take the toy and fill it full of their favorite treats and let them go to town.
The design is like a puzzle, so they have to nose open the compartments to get the reward. Since your dog banks on their sense of smell rather than sight, they can have quite a lot of fun figuring things out.
Both the top and bottom compartments can hold treats, so you can hide them in all sorts of nooks and crannies. The company offers different levels from beginner to expert, so you can choose the level you think works best for your dog.
- Mentally stimulating
- Sensory game
- Doesn’t require sight
- Be careful when choosing a difficulty level
6. JUFOYO Snuffle Mat for Pets
Purpose: | Mental stimulation |
Features: | Soft design, hidden compartments |
We got a kick out of the JUFOYO Snuffle Mat for Pets—it’s such a fun idea for blind dogs. With a dog that lacks vision, this dramatically encourages them to use their nose to sift out treats and other hidden gems from the mat.
The design can fold up to keep in any treats or food that might be inside. That can help your dog sift out the kibble without getting it all over the place. Or, if you want to lay it flat, you can absolutely do so as well. There is a non-slip suction cup bottom with a drawstring that could attach to furniture, preventing movement.
We also love that it’s machine washable, making it easy to clean. The company offers a satisfaction guarantee, making it right if you aren’t satisfied with your purchase. We thought the entire concept was a really great design.
- Mentally stimulating
- Satisfaction guarantee
- Machine washable
- Might not work for every dog
7. PEWOD Dog Toy for Aggressive Chewers
Purpose: | Holds up against heavy chewing |
Features: | Treat entry points, easy cleaning |
If your blind, aggressive chewer has a hard time keeping track of their toys, the PEWOD Dog Toy for Aggressive Chewers might work well. You can stuff this rubber design with their favorite treats or regular kibble for hours of entertainment.
Not only can you shove treats inside of this design, you can also squeeze a little toothpaste on it to get your dog’s teeth clean in the process. The rubber is totally eco-friendly and made to withstand heavy damage.
Though this is a terrific pick for dogs who love to gnaw on things, not every dog will show an interest. But we think that it would fit just about any breed without being too large or small to chew. If you want to get adventurous, they even have a dinosaur design.
- For heavy chewing
- Can stuff with toys
- Cute designs
- Some dogs may lose interest quickly
8. Ley’s Dog Lick Mat
Purpose: | Entertainment |
Features: | Spatula |
The Ley’s Dog Lick Mat is a brilliant idea to keep your dog’s attention. All they have to use is their sense of taste and smell to have time-out sessions of self-entertainment. Not to mention, they will love lapping up the yummy treats of your choosing.
The silicone slabs come in a two-pack with their very own spatula for spreading. The surface is ribbed and easy to clean. You can just wipe peanut butter or another sticky snack on for your dog to lap up.
We do have to know that this is not a chew toy. Be very careful when your dog uses this if they are prone to tearing things up. Only have your pup use this under strict supervision, as this material could cause a bowel obstruction.
- 2-pack with spatula
- Great for treats
- Occupies dogs and slows down eating
- Not for heavy chewers
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Blind Dog Toy
Blindness can be a natural phenomenon that can happen throughout your dog’s lifetime. There can be several triggers, including illnesses and genetic deterioration, or it could be sudden if caused by an outside variable. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the line for your dog.
If your dog is new to the condition, you’re probably scrambling around to find as many different products as you can find to get them excited once again. There are tons of ways that you can enhance the quality of their life. Getting them a few helpful products will make everything easier to navigate.
Dog Entertainment
Your blind dog is going to want to play just like any other. They might not be good at fetch like they once were, but there are alternatives. Blind dogs can still enjoy:
Vibrating Dog Toys
Vibrating toys can be exciting for your blind dog since they can feel the toy rather than see it. They will have a better time keeping track of it, and not getting too far away from the object during play.
Dog Treat Balls
Your dog can spend plenty of time on their bed chewing on their favorite treat ball. Many different chew toys are half hollow inside so that you can stuff the treat of your choice inside.
Noisemakers
Any toy that makes a noise can be perfect for your dog since they can use their hearing. They can locate it easily without any added frustration. Some toys even have different settings to make the volume higher or lower for your convenience.
Stuffed Plushies for Dogs
There’s nothing wrong with having a bed full of stuffed plushies. If you’re a blind dog who loves having little stuffed animals to carry around, the more, the merrier. Just make sure to monitor aggressive chewers.
Safety
Because your dog can’t see danger coming, it’s best to implement safety precautions. There are plenty of products that guard your dog against bumping into corners and other potentially hazardous objects.
Dog Harness with Patches
If you’re taking your dog in public, you might want to get a harness with the word blind on it. This allows other people to know that the dog can’t see them coming. It exercises an extra measure of caution to ensure that nobody spooks your dog.
Dog Anxiety Blankets
Anxiety blankets are weighted pieces that fit over your dog’s body. The compact gentle heaviness provides a sense of safety and security to them. If your dog can’t see what is going on but is in a place with loud noises or other unfamiliar sounds, this can be an excellent calming mechanism.
Dog Guards
There are plenty of harnesses and attachments that guide your dog without being too bulky or obstructing its path. There are tons of places your dog can get hurt, depending on their height. Make sure you have safety measures in place so that doesn’t happen.
DIY Blind Dog Accessories
In addition to getting your dog toys and safety mechanisms, you could also make their life easier in other ways. There are tons of do-it-yourself projects on the Internet showing you how to create a safe environment for your blind dog.
You can put your own spin on some pretty creative ideas. Many times, with DIY projects, there aren’t a lot of costs involved either. Don’t be afraid to explore.
Conclusion
Hopefully, these reviews led you to some new and exciting products you didn’t know existed. We think that your dog would benefit most from the Muffin’s Halo For Blind Dogs just because it is the most practical, helpful resource we found.
For blind puppies, we adored the Lanco Sensory Dog Toy for Puppies. It is affordable, excitingly textured, and easy to clean. We think it will really last during their puppy years and it will be easy for you to keep track of, too.
No matter which product you find interesting, there are continual ways you can improve your dog’s remaining years even without their sight. Once you get into the care routine, their blindness will seem like just another part of what makes them your special dog.
Featured Photo Credit: Amazon