As your dog ages, he faces a number of problems commonly associated with old age, one being cataracts. Cataracts are a fairly common symptom of old age, especially in dogs aged over six years. Worse yet, cataracts often develops as a result of canine diabetes, infection, over-exposure to certain chemicals or gases, or any kind of severe trauma that can happen to a dog over the course of their life.

Diagnosing cataracts in your dog should be left to a professional. It often looks a lot like Nuclear Sclerosis, which requires no treatment and which may not hamper your pet at all. It usually appears equally on both eyes as a hazed, grayish-looking effect.

The most common causes of cataracts are unfortunately unpreventable, like old age, hereditary, developmental, and congenial make up. Symptoms include loss of coordination for no reason, problems seeing objects within their peripheral vision (like when you’re not in their direct line of sight), or even less noticeable symptoms like depression.

Just like there are a number of causes, there are also a number of treatments available. Some include prescription medications and eye drops, over the counter alternatives, and laser eye treatment. Consult with your veterinarian to see if your dog does in fact have cataracts, and what steps you should take.