Whether you are considering adopting a disabled dog, or you already love a dog with a disability, this post is for you!<\/p>\n
In this post, I\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n First, a reminder: When discussing disability of any kind, it\u2019s monumentally important to keep in mind that the individual<\/strong> comes first. There are some ways you can generalize (\u201cmost deaf dogs do this\u201d \u201cblind dogs usually do that\u201d), but taking into account your dog\u2019s 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n So, let\u2019s say you\u2019re interested in adopting a dog with a disability. What should you consider before you bring the pup home? Or, let\u2019s say you\u2019ve adopted a dog and a disability emerges. What do you do? <\/p>\n These apply for a dog who is new to your home or a dog who has developed a disability. <\/p>\n It\u2019s always a good idea to have everyone in your household in agreement before adopting any animal, but it\u2019s especially important if your disabled dog is going to require extra care or specific accommodations. <\/p>\n As for other pets, while you can\u2019t explain the situation to them, you can ensure they\u2019re still getting the same time, attention, and routines that they\u2019re 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. <\/p>\n Does the dog\u2019s disability require medication? Or visits to a specialist? Does the dog\u2019s condition require surgeries or regular blood work? <\/p>\n 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\u2013and pad it for emergencies\u2013and decide if it\u2019s something you can afford or save for.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n 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\u2019t already have a vet you like, ask for recommendations on neighborhood groups like Nextdoor or your community\u2019s Facebook group. Consider calling and asking to meet with potential vets so you can ask them about their experience with your dog\u2019s condition. And if you\u2019re unsure? Always feel free to ask another vet for a second opinion<\/a>. <\/p>\n Read more:\u00a0<\/strong>How to choose the perfect vet for your family<\/a><\/p>\n This one\u2019s a toughie because if you have a dog who has become disabled, you might not be able to do much here. However, if you\u2019re 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\u2019m certainly not saying hit the gym and become a weight lifter, but it\u2019s worth considering your strength versus the task at hand. <\/p>\n There are lots of tools to help\u2013we love the GingerLead<\/a>, for instance\u2013but it\u2019s something important to consider that is far too often overlooked. <\/p>\n ChatGPT can be your friend when it comes to learning about a dog\u2019s disability. Some queries I\u2019d recommend: (In each example below, swap the italicized part for your dog\u2019s disability.)<\/p>\n You can even ask super helpful queries like: \u201cPlease generate a list of 10 questions I need to ask my veterinarian about adopting a dog who is deaf.\u201d I actually entered that exact query into ChatGPT, and here is the response:<\/strong><\/p>\n Here are ten questions to ask your veterinarian about adopting a deaf dog:<\/p>\n These questions should give you a well-rounded understanding of how to support a deaf dog\u2019s health, safety, and social needs.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n So helpful, right? <\/p>\n (BTW, let me know if you\u2019d like to see a post on how to utilize ChatGPT for pet care. I\u2019ve found all sorts of useful ways to utilize the tool!)<\/p>\n No, AI isn\u2019t 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. <\/p>\n This one is hugely dependent on your dog\u2019s specific disability. <\/p>\n If you\u2019re 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? <\/p>\n If your dog is blind, can you set up \u201cscent zones\u201d to help your dog navigate from room to room? <\/p>\n Think about accommodations that will not only ensure your disabled dog\u2019s safety but will also make his or her life more comfortable. <\/p>\n When we adopted deaf and low-vision Penny, I didn\u2019t anticipate just how much attention she would draw when we were out in public. Now, she\u2019s a perfect coffee-shop, Lowe\u2019s, parade kind of dog. She loves being around people and doesn\u2019t 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\u2019t, but having spent my life with reactive dogs, I am ALWAYS prepared.) <\/p>\n I also purchased this leash sleeve<\/a> to alert people of her disabilities so that they would (hopefully, ideally) approach carefully. <\/p>\n Loving a disabled dog can come with a wide array of emotions.<\/p>\n Maybe you feel sad that your dog isn\u2019t able to live life how other dogs do. Or maybe you feel angry that bad breeding or neglect led to your dog\u2019s disability. Or maybe you feel grateful you get to care for a dog who needs extra support.<\/p>\n Whatever you\u2019re feeling is valid.<\/strong><\/p>\n Just don\u2019t 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. <\/p>\n Our dog Lucas was an 80-pound shepherd on three legs. We invested in a solid ramp for the car<\/a> and a set of pet steps<\/a> (the one we had is no longer available, but I\u2019m linking the one I\u2019d get next time). We also had a substantial harness<\/a> with a solid rubber handle. These three tools helped me immensely. <\/p>\n When Emmett developed degenerative myelopathy<\/a>, we relied on the GingerLead.<\/p>\n Now, for Penny, who is blind and low vision, we don\u2019t really have too many supplies for her other than the leash sleeve, but we\u2019re relying heavily upon routines so that she can know what\u2019s coming in a very predictable day. Since she isn\u2019t picking up quite as many incidental cues as a hearing or fully-sighted dog might, we\u2019re intentional about when we feed everyone and where. We\u2019re intentional about her walks and bathroom breaks, and we\u2019ve 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. <\/p>\n Read more: <\/strong>Incidental learning in dogs <\/a><\/p>\n At the end of the day, the single most important factor is the bond you share with your dog.<\/p>\n Build a relationship around trust, compassion, and patience. No matter what your pup\u2019s struggles are, knowing that you are there to provide safety and security can\u2019t be beat. <\/p>\n Consider taking training classes together at a positive-reinforcement-based facility. Enroll in something fun you can do together, like a beginner\u2019s obedience class. You\u2019ll both learn while deepening your relationship.<\/p>\n Observe your dog carefully, and make sure you\u2019re meeting her where she is. <\/p>\n If nothing else, having a strong relationship will help your pup overcome anything life can throw her way. <\/p>\n Ultimately, adopting a disabled dog is a wonderful, rewarding way to give a deserving dog a loving home. <\/p>\n While there are extra considerations you must think through, if you decide it\u2019s the right path for you, adopting a disabled dog will add richness and joy to your life. You\u2019ll learn so much about yourself and grow as you figure out how to accommodate and advocate for your beloved pup. <\/p>\n If you enjoyed this post, you\u2019ll probably enjoy my forthcoming book, For the Love of Dog, from Regalo Press in 2025. It\u2019s chock full of the latest research in canine cognition combined with stories of my dogs to bring the data to life.<\/p>\n To stay up-to-date on the latest with my publication news, please join the mailing list<\/a> or follow along on Instagram<\/a>. I\u2019d love to connect with you more!<\/p>\nSome types of disabilities in dogs include (and this is by no means an exhaustive list):<\/h2>\n
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Here are 10 tips for adopting a dog with a disability<\/h2>\n
Prepare Everyone\u2013humans and pets\u2013in Your Home<\/h3>\n
Plan for Potential Medical Costs<\/h3>\n
Find a Vet You Trust<\/h3>\n
For Physical Disabilities, Prepare for Your Role<\/h3>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nDo your Research<\/h3>\n
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Modify Your Environment<\/h3>\n
Create an Out-in-Public Plan<\/h3>\n
Don\u2019t Neglect Your Emotions<\/h3>\n
Find Supplies or Routines to Make Life Simpler<\/h3>\n
Focus on Your Relationship with Your Dog<\/h3>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nHave 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! <\/h3>\n
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