Whether you are considering adopting a disabled dog, or you already love a dog with a disability, this post is for you!
In this post, I’m going to share different types of disabilities you might find in an adoptable dog, plus a list of 10 ways to prepare for and care for a disabled dog.
Let’s get started!
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First, a reminder: When discussing disability of any kind, it’s monumentally important to keep in mind that the individual comes first. There are some ways you can generalize (“most deaf dogs do this” “blind dogs usually do that”), but taking into account your dog’s personality, specific disability, breed traits, and so on will be more impactful than simply looking at a list of to-dos for your deaf/blind/three-legged/etc. dog. Focus on your dog first and her disability second.
Some types of disabilities in dogs include (and this is by no means an exhaustive list):
- blind or low vision
- deaf or hard-of-hearing
- limb differences–this can include missing limbs, limbs that are present but are not functional, birth defects, and more
- neurological disorders
- mental health disorders, like anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder
- chronic illness
So, let’s say you’re interested in adopting a dog with a disability. What should you consider before you bring the pup home? Or, let’s say you’ve adopted a dog and a disability emerges. What do you do?
Here are 10 tips for adopting a dog with a disability
These apply for a dog who is new to your home or a dog who has developed a disability.
Prepare Everyone–humans and pets–in Your Home
It’s always a good idea to have everyone in your household in agreement before adopting any animal, but it’s especially important if your disabled dog is going to require extra care or specific accommodations.
As for other pets, while you can’t explain the situation to them, you can ensure they’re still getting the same time, attention, and routines that they’re used to. That goes a long way toward alleviating stress. They also need lots of space for escape and alone time. More on how to set up your home for success down below.
Plan for Potential Medical Costs
Does the dog’s disability require medication? Or visits to a specialist? Does the dog’s condition require surgeries or regular blood work?
These extra vet visits can hit your wallet pretty hard. Before adopting a disabled dog, look up the average costs for the medical care you could expect–and pad it for emergencies–and decide if it’s something you can afford or save for.
If you need help estimating your pet care budget, I have a free budget tracker available in the resources folder that comes with joining my email list!
Find a Vet You Trust
Whether or not your dog has a disability, your vet should be your partner. You should be able to trust your vet, and you should always feel like your vet listens to you and your concerns. This is especially important for a dog who needs additional medical support. If you don’t already have a vet you like, ask for recommendations on neighborhood groups like Nextdoor or your community’s Facebook group. Consider calling and asking to meet with potential vets so you can ask them about their experience with your dog’s condition. And if you’re unsure? Always feel free to ask another vet for a second opinion.
Read more: How to choose the perfect vet for your family
For Physical Disabilities, Prepare for Your Role
This one’s a toughie because if you have a dog who has become disabled, you might not be able to do much here. However, if you’re adopting a dog with a physical disability and that dog needs mobility assistance, you need to gear up for the lifting and carrying that might be required. I’m certainly not saying hit the gym and become a weight lifter, but it’s worth considering your strength versus the task at hand.
There are lots of tools to help–we love the GingerLead, for instance–but it’s something important to consider that is far too often overlooked.
Do your Research
ChatGPT can be your friend when it comes to learning about a dog’s disability. Some queries I’d recommend: (In each example below, swap the italicized part for your dog’s disability.)
- “Can you give me tips for caring for a dog with degenerative disc disease?”
- “What do I need to know about blindness in dogs?”
- “What treatments or therapies are available for a dog with obsessive compulsive disorder?”
You can even ask super helpful queries like: “Please generate a list of 10 questions I need to ask my veterinarian about adopting a dog who is deaf.” I actually entered that exact query into ChatGPT, and here is the response:
Here are ten questions to ask your veterinarian about adopting a deaf dog:
- What special health considerations should I keep in mind for a deaf dog?
- Are there specific medical tests or screenings I should do for a deaf dog?
- What training techniques do you recommend for a dog that cannot hear commands?
- How should I modify my home environment to ensure safety for a deaf dog?
- Are there specific body language or visual cues that work best with deaf dogs?
- What is the best way to communicate with a deaf dog during walks or outdoor activities?
- How can I manage situations where my deaf dog might get startled or anxious?
- Do you recommend any particular types of toys or activities for deaf dogs?
- What should I do in emergency situations to effectively alert or calm my deaf dog?
- How can I best socialize a deaf dog with other pets and people?
These questions should give you a well-rounded understanding of how to support a deaf dog’s health, safety, and social needs.
So helpful, right?
(BTW, let me know if you’d like to see a post on how to utilize ChatGPT for pet care. I’ve found all sorts of useful ways to utilize the tool!)
No, AI isn’t a replacement for other forms of research. Instead, think of it as a jumping-off point. Take the replies and dig deeper with regular old Google searches.
Modify Your Environment
This one is hugely dependent on your dog’s specific disability.
If you’re dealing with a limb difference, do you need to get a ramp for your car or block off the steep stairs down to your basement?
If your dog is blind, can you set up “scent zones” to help your dog navigate from room to room?
Think about accommodations that will not only ensure your disabled dog’s safety but will also make his or her life more comfortable.
Create an Out-in-Public Plan
When we adopted deaf and low-vision Penny, I didn’t anticipate just how much attention she would draw when we were out in public. Now, she’s a perfect coffee-shop, Lowe’s, parade kind of dog. She loves being around people and doesn’t shy from the attention. That said, I was taken aback by how many people approached to ask her story and to pet her. So, I came up with an out-in-public plan that consists of some general scripts to explain her disabilities and to advocate for the space she might need. (She usually doesn’t, but having spent my life with reactive dogs, I am ALWAYS prepared.)
I also purchased this leash sleeve to alert people of her disabilities so that they would (hopefully, ideally) approach carefully.
Don’t Neglect Your Emotions
Loving a disabled dog can come with a wide array of emotions.
Maybe you feel sad that your dog isn’t able to live life how other dogs do. Or maybe you feel angry that bad breeding or neglect led to your dog’s disability. Or maybe you feel grateful you get to care for a dog who needs extra support.
Whatever you’re feeling is valid.
Just don’t neglect those emotions because compassion fatigue and caregiver burnout are real. Consider confiding in a friend or a therapist, or keeping a journal of how the care-giving journey is affecting you. Take care of yourself so you can take care of others.
Find Supplies or Routines to Make Life Simpler
Our dog Lucas was an 80-pound shepherd on three legs. We invested in a solid ramp for the car and a set of pet steps (the one we had is no longer available, but I’m linking the one I’d get next time). We also had a substantial harness with a solid rubber handle. These three tools helped me immensely.
When Emmett developed degenerative myelopathy, we relied on the GingerLead.
Now, for Penny, who is blind and low vision, we don’t really have too many supplies for her other than the leash sleeve, but we’re relying heavily upon routines so that she can know what’s coming in a very predictable day. Since she isn’t picking up quite as many incidental cues as a hearing or fully-sighted dog might, we’re intentional about when we feed everyone and where. We’re intentional about her walks and bathroom breaks, and we’ve implemented lots of strategies (like flicking the lights to call her) that she can predict. Find routines that work for your family and provide predictability and stability for your disabled dog.
Read more: Incidental learning in dogs
Focus on Your Relationship with Your Dog
At the end of the day, the single most important factor is the bond you share with your dog.
Build a relationship around trust, compassion, and patience. No matter what your pup’s struggles are, knowing that you are there to provide safety and security can’t be beat.
Consider taking training classes together at a positive-reinforcement-based facility. Enroll in something fun you can do together, like a beginner’s obedience class. You’ll both learn while deepening your relationship.
Observe your dog carefully, and make sure you’re meeting her where she is.
If nothing else, having a strong relationship will help your pup overcome anything life can throw her way.
Ultimately, adopting a disabled dog is a wonderful, rewarding way to give a deserving dog a loving home.
While there are extra considerations you must think through, if you decide it’s the right path for you, adopting a disabled dog will add richness and joy to your life. You’ll learn so much about yourself and grow as you figure out how to accommodate and advocate for your beloved pup.
Have you ever been the person to a disabled dog? Or are you considering adopting one? What questions do you still have? Leave them in the comments, so we can all share and learn from one another!
If you enjoyed this post, you’ll probably enjoy my forthcoming book, For the Love of Dog, from Regalo Press in 2025. It’s chock full of the latest research in canine cognition combined with stories of my dogs to bring the data to life.
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