'She was just blind and frightened': Parent's "grumpy old cat" turns out to be an affection-starved fluffball after their child realizes she has suddenly gone blind

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Feb 3, 2025 9:00 AM EST

There are so many stereotypes about cats, and more specifically, about senior cats. Did you know that people adopt senior cats so rarely, even a one-year-old cat is considered "too old to adopt" in some shelters? People don't understand that senior cats make amazing pets. Oftentimes, cats get more affectionate with age. They understand better how to appreciate the things that they have, especially if they get adopted older. But people just want itty bitty kittens. Which is cool and understandable, and we don't judge people for loving kittens. 

We just wish that more people gave senior cats a chance, and beyond that - that more people didn't stop giving their senior cats less attention than they gave them when they were younger. Because it's important to pay attention. It's important because it means that you will be able to spot things like this - when you cat suddenly starts behaving completely differently, and instead of being the affectionate little fluffball that it used to be when it was younger, it becomes "grumpy" at everyone and everything. 

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  • 01

    "My parents 'grumpy old cat'. Turns out she was just blind and frightened."

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    und ratio you bring k 1242
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    PAR ELL DR NANAM VSTY NAMO, C E 0010150010 08:22:40 0000001 (07) 1242 you bring to
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  • It's important to remember that a cat's behavior changes for a reason. It's something to notice, something to study, and certainly not something to dismiss. Knowing that this cat was affectionate when it was younger is important, and although we're upset that this wasn't noticed earlier by its owners, we are happy that someone did pay enough attention to figure out what was going on. 

  • 04
    I recently moved in with my parents. They said our old cat was just grumpy and avoided everyone, even though I remember her being very friendly when I was a teenager. It only took me a few days to realize that she could barely see anything. As soon as I started guiding her to her food and announcing my presence whenever I'm near her, she started acting like this to me. I will be doing more research on how to help her.
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  • 05
    Vivid_Statement1820 That's beautiful and very thoughtful
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    imanpearl OP Thank you, I want to do more for her, I have a lot on my plate right now but having a being that needs my help is oddly comforting.
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    Edit for update: I got incredible advice here, and after some calling around I found out that I can, in fact, afford to at least get her an exam. Wish us luck. Thank you all so much. I will update again if anyone is interested.
    via imanpearl
  • 08
    Also, a lot of people asked me how I know she's blind. I noticed her trying to find her food by sniffing around, and having a lot of trouble even though she was about a foot away from it. She sticks close to the walls like guides. She gets scared when you walk near her, and acts like she's looking for where the person is, but she can't tell. So I googled tests and I tried a few. The most damning one was that when I shine a flash light in her eyes, her pupils barely dilate.
    via imanpearl

  • It's not just that you noticed that this kitty needs help and is scared, you are also now able to give it the affection that is was so obviously craving and missing. Being starved for love is awful for everyone, but especially for affectionate cats like this one is. 

  • 09
    negasonic30yoWarhead Can you take her to the vet to see if there's anything that can be addressed there?
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    imanpearl OP I can't afford it right now and I know my parents won't take her for this. I will save up
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    dontknowoc Sweet girl. Just was lost and hungry.
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    imanpearl OP I know well she won't be ever again
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    spicemyrice Tips if this is helpful: add rugs on long hallways or stair tread for traction on hardwood floors. It's scary to not be able to see and not have traction! The rugs will be an external sensory feedback and orient her to where she is.
    via spicemyrice
  • 14
    rechargeable motion sensor lights. Light helps with any visual loss, even if it's just to create shadows. Unless it's complete visual loss, they are usually still able to see shadows with light. I put these on the ground level at the top of the stairs, every few steps and at their fav hang outs spots for sleeping. • get a water fountain with continuous running water. Sound will direct her to water source and keep her hydrated • heating wet food (like 10 secs!) will increase its stinkyness to hel
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    Basically, tap into her other senses (ie: sound, vibrations, adding traction/grip to increase touch/feel, smell, etc) and maximize visual loss (ie: lights, shadows, etc) to help orient her :) Also try to keep her basics like food, water, litter, in the same place
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    imanpearl OP These tips are soo helpful and easy to implement thank you so much!!
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    Dapper-Ad-468 She grabbed your hand back for more scritches
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    Geetright I hate to see animals suffering, thank you for loving her
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    slimshadycatlady I do this too with my dog. She is also blind and when we are outside, I often make some noises so she knows in which direction she needs to go I often feel like a guide dog for my dog
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    angeltrash1965 Aw I'm glad you took the time to learn what she needs
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