How To Take Care Of A Special Needs Pet

Some pets have it easier than others, but all of them deserve love. If you’ve got a pet with a special need or are considering adopting, Evolve’s got all the info you’ll need to make sure your furry friend is happy and healthy.

A Husky that is missing their front left leg sitting on a moss covered rock in the middle of the forest.

Tips for pets with special needs

With all disabled or special needs pets, there’s something important to keep in mind: You’re probably more upset about their disability than they are.

Dogs and cats are extremely resilient and don’t get depressed about a missing limb or losing a sense like we would. Most people are amazed at how well animals can adapt to new obstacles in their lives.
Pets just want to be close to you and feel comfortable; as long as they have your love and care, they’ll be happy.
All pets need a routine, exercise, training, and patience. If your pet has a special need, it’s important to put a little extra care into each of these areas. Pets crave structure and rely on you to set the routine.
There are tons of resources available to lean on if you’re new to taking care of a disabled pet. Talking to your vet should be the first step, though many disabilities don’t require veterinary attention beyond the initial onset. Finding a community of people with similarly disabled pets can be a great resource for continued learning. The subreddit Pirate Pets is a great and uplifting community to check out. If you’re anxious about adopting a disabled pet, try fostering first.

A three legged dog in the snow with its tongue out

How to take care of a three-legged pet

If you’re thinking of adopting a tripawd or facing the difficult decision to amputate a limb, rest assured that your pet isn’t as attached to their legs as you are. Adopting a three-legged pet isn’t all that different from adopting a four-legged one. Depending on the age and size of the animal, there may be some minor routine and dietary adjustments, but once they’re used to the missing limb, they don’t really notice it anymore.

Dietary Changes

Maintaining a healthy, lean weight is one of the most important things you can do for a three-legged pet. Overweight pets are more likely to have balance problems and develop joint issues and arthritis. It’s important that you feed your pets a diet that promotes joint health, such as salmon, which is high in omega-3s. You can read all about the benefits of salmon in our blog post.

Exercise Changes

One way to promote a healthy lifestyle and help maintain a good weight is with exercise. Dogs with 3 legs are just as capable as their 4-legged paw pals. They can run, jump, and play just as easily, though they will often tire out a little quicker. So, rather than one big walk a day, try for several smaller ones. Another great option is swimming. As strange as it sounds, swimming is a great exercise for three-legged animals, as it gets rid of pressure on their legs while still working their muscles and joints.

Adapting Your Home

While tripods are super capable on their own, there are a few small changes you can make around the home to give them a leg up.

Carpets are a three-legged man’s best friend’s best friend. They provide a lot more traction than hardwood or tile floors, which can be difficult to get a good grip on. Keeping their paw pads trimmed and nails short can also provide a big boost in your pet’s traction control.
Elevated Food and Water Bowls will make it easier on your tripawd during mealtime. Bending down for longer periods while eating can put a lot of strain on their necks, especially if they’re missing a front paw.
Stairs aren’t an issue for most pets, but for older animals who are having trouble navigating or jumping on furniture, a small set of carpeted stairs or a ramp could be just what they need.
Harnesses should be used instead of a leash attached directly to the collar. No need to get a special harness so long as it fits. If your pet is missing a front paw, it may actually be easier to put on and take off!

Later in life, you may notice your pets slowing down. Larger dogs are likely to develop joint issues like arthritis, so be sure to talk to your vet about joint supplements. Most recommend starting tripawds on a joint supplement or focused diet around the 6-year-old mark. Aside from that, there’s not much maintenance needed for your tripawd, just love and an occasional massage on their good leg.

A french bulldog at the vets getting their ears examined.

how to take care of a deaf pet

Deaf animals need a little bit more help, but can still live a fulfilling and care-free life. Most pets lose their hearing due to age or genetics, but it can also be caused by chronic ear infections. Make sure to let people know about your pet’s special needs; a tag or bandana with their disability listed can help.

Try not to scare them. It can be very easy to sneak up on a deaf pet or catch them off guard, but here are some tips to make this a little easier.

Approach them from the front when possible. Your pets will eventually get used to the feeling and vibrations of you walking around, but it’s smart to try and stay in their line of sight when you can.
Use light to get their attention or wake them up.
Get them used to touch and gently nudge them when you’re leaving a room or the house so they know what’s up.

Training is pretty much the same as with a non-deaf pet but with more emphasis on conveying your commands with hand signals. As strange as it may feel, saying the commands out loud (along with the hand signals) is a great help for both you and your pup; they still rely on your facial cues, and it can help keep you from confusing your commands. Be careful when introducing your pup to other dogs, as it is easier for a deaf dog to miss social cues or have them misinterpreted by others.

A white cat with black ears is getting their head pet. Its eyes are closed and it appears to be smiling.

How to take care of a blind pet

Blind or visually impaired pets are going to need more patience and care than most. Pets can lose their vision due to genetic conditions or birth defects, cataracts or glaucoma, aging, and accidents. If this is new to your pet or something they are developing, the best thing you can give them is patience. It can be scary for them, so anxiety or increased aggression are normal while they are learning to adapt.

Adapting can be a process. Both you and your pet will have to learn how to navigate this new disability, but there are several things you can do to make it easier for both of you.

Introduce them to new spaces slowly so they feel comfortable. They will slowly build up a mental map of their surroundings, it just takes time. If moving into a new house or environment, try slowly introducing them one room at a time.
- Using a “halo” or something similar that attaches to their head and helps prevent them from running into things can help build their confidence during this stage.
Eliminate hazards that they can run into, like sharp corners, hard-to-navigate furniture, and tripping hazards. Try not to move or rearrange furniture.
They’ll be using their other senses to navigate, so giving them cues to help orient themselves is a big help. Adding textures on the ground, like carpets and runners in the hallways or outside doors and entrances, is a big help.
Sounds are also important. Attaching bells to other animals in the house or to your shoes can help keep your pet aware of where others are and when they’re moving. Similarly, having a circulating water bowl that they can hear will make it easier for them to find their food and water.
Make sure to talk to your pet often; your voice, touch, and smell are going to be a huge comfort for them. If you’re going to be away, consider leaving a radio or television on for them.
Get into the habit of saying goodbye in a way that they understand means you will be away for a while, be it a command that you teach them or a treat you only give them before you leave.
Routines are important for all pets, but especially blind ones. Feeding and walking them at the same time each day will help balance their internal clocks.
Teach them new commands for left, right, stop, and step to make navigating on walks easier. A shorter, stiff leash and a harness are a big help.
Consider getting toys that have strong smells, make noise, or incorporate a puzzle to make playtime more interactive.