How to Help a Deaf Cat

Co-authored by Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD

Last Updated: August 10, 2021 References

Deaf cats, particularly cats that are born that way, lead perfectly ordinary lives. They compensate for their deafness by using their other senses. Even cats that lose their hearing do well. In fact, cats are notoriously difficult to diagnose as deaf at home because they compensate so well. Nonetheless, if you do notice your cat has had a loss of hearing, you need to check for a health problem. If your cat has permanent hearing loss or you are adopting a deaf cat, you should make a few adjustments to how you interact with the cat to keep it safe and happy.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Adjusting to Hearing Loss

1
Keep deaf cats indoors. Cats are safer indoors, anyway, but once a cat loses its hearing, being outdoors is particularly dangerous. They can't hear approaching dangers, so they're more likely to run into trouble, such as a car on the road.^{[1]
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2
Tag your cat. Your cat should be tagged anyway, in case it gets outside, but tagging is especially important for deaf cats. Buy a collar and tag. On the tag, include your contact information, as well as a note about the cat's deafness.
- Be sure to attach the tag to a cat-safe collar. These collars are designed to break away if they get caught on something like a tree branch. This helps keep your cat from strangling or becoming seriously injured if they are caught.
- It's also a good idea to have your cat microchipped, as collars can come off. A microchip is a small chip inserted under your cat's skin that provides your contact information when scanned.
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3
Give the cat warning you're nearby. If you have a deaf cat, it will likely startle more easily. Help keep it calmer by alerting it to your presence. One approach is to stomp the floor so the cat can feel your vibrations before you come closer.^{[2]
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- You can also flash the ceiling lights to let your cat know you're nearby.
- You don't want to just swoop in and scoop up a cat who didn't know you were coming. It will scare the cat, who may lash out.
- Clap your hands for partially deaf cats. If your cat is losing its hearing but isn't completely deaf, clapping your hands nearby may be enough to get its attention.^{[3]
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4
Put a bell on the cat. If your cat is wandering around somewhere in your home, it's obviously not going to hear you calling if you need it. Place a bell on the cat's collar so it makes noise when it walks, helping you pinpoint where it is in your home.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Living with a Deaf Cat

1
Tell your cat "no" by waving your arms. Just like with any cat, you're going to have to tell your cat "no" sometimes, such as when it jumps somewhere it's not supposed to be. One way to do that with a deaf cat is to raise your arms above your head (to make yourself taller) and wave them as you approach the cat.^{[5]
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2
Use a treat and a visual cue to teach your cat to come. Although most cats won't come every time you call them, you still want to teach your cat a visual cue for "come." When your cat is looking at you, hunch down on the floor, and create a hand signal, such as tapping the floor. Use a treat to entice it over. Reinforce this behavior until it gets the idea.^{[6]
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3
Deter bad behavior with counter conditioning. Most cats respond to training, and a deaf cat is no different in this regard. If the cat is on top of something you'd rather it not be, place them on the ground and distract them with some play, then give them a treat. Your cat will begin to associate being on the ground rewards.^{[7]
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- Similarly, if your cat tries to run out the door whenever it is open, try directing them to a special spot away from the door and giving them a treat whenever you enter. Soon, your cat will learn to run to that spot and get a treat rather than trying to run out of the door.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Checking for Problems

1
Look for ear mites. Ear mites can lead to some hearing loss. Fortunately, they are treatable, but you'll need to take the cat to the vet. Look in the ear to check for mites. You may notice dark colored discharge and coffee-like bits. Your cat's ears will likely itch, and you may also notice a rotten smell.^{[8]
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2
Check for an infection. Another problem that can lead to hearing loss is an ear infection. Look for redness and inflammation inside the cat's ears, both the flaps and the canal. If you notice an issue, the cat could have an ear infection that needs to be treated by a vet.^{[9]
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3
Visit the vet. If your cat suddenly loses its hearing for any reason, it's a good idea to visit the vet. As noted, it could be ear mites or an infection, but it could also be something like a tumor that needs to be removed. Trauma and nerve damage can also cause hearing loss. Some hearing loss is treatable, though, so make sure you visit the vet.^{[10]
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