The Disabled Pets Project was created to raise awareness, educate, advocate, and normalize disabilities in pets.
DisabledPets.org is an informative resource and support network for veterinarians, pet parents, and rescuers who are caring for disabled dogs, cats, and other pets.
Pets with Disabilities
Just like people, dogs, cats, and other pets can be born with or develop disabilities and medical conditions later in life. Young animals may have congenital defects that result in deafness, blindness, heart failure, hydrocephalus- spina bifida, cerebellar hypoplasia, limb deformities, and metabolic diseases. Other disabilities occur later in life as a result of injury, systemic illness, hereditary diseases, and aging.
There is a wide range of reactions, recommendations, and support for these extra needs pets and the people who choose to care for them. Senior pets who become arthritic, deaf, and/or blind are normalized in the pet and veterinary community. Many of these issues are slowly progressive in aging animals that are otherwise healthy. Pet parents find guidance and answers to their questions from their veterinarians, pharmaceutical companies, and reliable online sources. But those who choose to care for pets with more profound disabilities that are not seen as frequently, are often left with minimal support and many unanswered questions about quality of life and how to ensure optimal care and accommodations.