Owning a deaf cat
Hearing plays a key role in how cats interact with their surroundings and bond with humans. Deafness, or loss of hearing, can affect that bond, but only if tolerated. Many deaf cats adapt easily and live relatively healthy, happy lives. Next time you’re looking for a fluffy forever friend, consider getting a deaf cat. All it takes is a little adjustment on your part.
There are three main types of deafness in cats:
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Hereditary/congenital hearing loss: A genetic defect common in cats with blue eyes and white fur, usually noticeable within the first few weeks of life.
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Sensorineural hearing lossIt is caused by loss of nerve cells and is irreversible. It can be caused by:
In addition to hearing loss, cats may also experience symptoms such as head tilt, fever and pacing.
- Conductive hearing lossThis type of hearing loss is usually due to an underlying cause that is preventing sound from reaching the brain, such as a middle or outer ear infection. Once this problem is resolved, recovery is usually possible.
Any of the above can affect one ear (one side) or both ears (both sides) and can cause total or partial hearing loss where only certain sounds or frequencies are affected (usually higher frequencies are affected first).
Preparing for a Deaf Cat
As you work with shelter staff to prepare to bring a deaf cat home, ask yourself these questions:
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What (if anything) is the story behind the cat’s arrival at the shelter?
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How deaf are cats?
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What, if anything, is causing the hearing loss?
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If the hearing loss is due to toxicity (such as a previous medication), which toxicity?
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Was the cat trained with a non-verbal command? If so, what was it?
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What special diet is your cat currently on? How much food and when are you feeding it? If a special diet is not available, what other options are there?
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Are there in-house or low-cost testing options, coupons, or discounted care available to assist with future costs?
Making a Vet Appointment for a Deaf Cat
Once you get your cat, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a complete exam and share the answers to the questions above, along with your cat’s medical records. Your veterinarian will perform an otoscopic examination to determine whether or not there is an eardrum, as well as any signs of disease, such as earwax, redness, or inflammation. If your cat has had chronic ear infections in the past (resulting in hearing loss), be sure to ask about how often they should be re-examined and how you can best deal with future ear infections at home.
If you want to know what type of hearing loss you have, or to learn more about whether it’s partial or complete, ask your vet about a brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) test. Cats adapt quickly, so behavioral testing can be difficult, but you may be able to see if your cat’s ears or head move toward a sound when it’s played. BAER tests are non-invasive and are often performed by a professional. Responses to sound are recorded and electrodes are placed to take measurements and determine hearing loss.
Managing a deaf cat at home
Once your cat has settled into its new home and environment, it is likely that there will be no need for further visits to the vet apart from regular check-ups. We recommend taking your new cat to your regular vet as soon as you get your cat so that he or she will be a regular customer and their records and past medical history can be assessed.
Remember that while you may not need additional medical care, your initial perceptions of living with a deaf cat may need to change. Cats may have a little more difficulty waking from sleep, may meow louder than normal (i.e. meowing), may have variances in their feeding schedules (that’s why a routine is best), and may startle easily. Try to get your cat’s attention first before petting or picking it up. This will help avoid agitating your cat and prevent him from scratching or biting you inadvertently.
How to communicate with a deaf cat
Hearing is an important sense. Cats use it for safety, communication, hunting, food intake, and also to “talk” and hear their owners. Hearing is one of the most important aspects of the human-animal bond.
When communication is broken, so is the bond, but as we all know, there’s more than one way to communicate with a cat.
A cat’s lack of hearing can generally be compensated for by other senses such as movement and sight, so try using hand signals and body language to train your cat, as well as objects such as a flashlight or the vibrations created by stomping on the floor or tapping on a surface.
And don’t forget touch: deaf cats respond to petting and stroking just as well as cats with normal hearing.
Long-term care for deaf cats
Having a deaf cat at home may require a bit of patience and sometimes unconventional training methods, but deafness shouldn’t limit your relationship with your cat or pet. By following a few simple rules, you can make the most of the time you spend together.
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Keep the environment and your cat safe. Hearing-impaired cats are at higher risk of injury from cars, predators, etc. Consider providing an enclosure with screens, confining your cat indoors, and training your cat to walk on a lead or harness.
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A consistent routine will not only reduce anxiety, but it will also contribute to their happiness and quality of life. Provide them with a scratching post, plenty of litter boxes, toys and windowsill perches.
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Use visual cues to communicate.
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Even if your cat can’t hear, a collar and bell, or even a pet tracker or pet finder, can help you or your loved ones keep track of your cat and are also great for providing warnings if your cat is in danger or in trouble.
How much does it cost to have a deaf cat?
Having a deaf cat may be a bigger initial investment, but the hearing loss (unless it’s due to chronic ear infections) shouldn’t be a major cost issue in the future.
Featured Image: iStock.com/Svetlanais
