Some deaf cats meow more often and more loudly, because they cannot regulate their “volume,” while others become mute.
Some deaf cats can be overly noisy, with many crying out in the night when everyone is asleep. Others are quieter, making little to no noise at all. Both are completely normal. For noisy cats, some use their yowling as a way to detect what is going on around them.
The vibration of their own voice is another sensation they may notice and enjoy. Deaf cats may purr and meow louder than their hearing counterparts. They may walk into a bathroom or walk-in shower and shriek, enjoying the vibration of their voice reverberating from the tiled walls and floor.
Touch and vibration are also important to deaf cats. A firm stomp on the floor uses vibration to communicate your presence and cause him to look around for the source. You can then call him to you or head toward the food dish. Stroking, brushing, and combing may be quite comforting.
Here are some of the signs of deafness in cats:
Meowing loudly. The cats can't hear themselves, so they turn up the volume. They simply don't know what a racket they're making.
And like some humans with hearing loss, deaf cats may meow more loudly than they used to. Key signs your cat is deaf include a decreased startle response, an increased amount of sleep, and clingy or needy disposition.
A--Deaf cats tend to be especially affectionate, and they're terrific pets. However, before you worry about your cat, make certain he's really deaf.
If deafness (or significant hearing loss) is indeed the problem, simply allow the meowing during the day or distract your cat by gently waving an interactive toy (such as feathers or fabric at the end of a pole). Immediately coddling your cat with attention will only train him to yowl more often.
Deaf cats are quite visually attuned to their surroundings, so take advantage by using your body language to communicate. When she looks at you, crouch down toward the floor and extending your hand to call her to you.
As SDCH Animal Care Manager & Vet Dr Renae Jackson notes, “the outside world is a very dangerous place for a deaf cat, as they can't hear noises such as dogs, other cats and traffic.” To keep them safe, deaf cat must be kept indoors.
Whatever the cause, deaf cats need special care and attention. Of course, they can still enjoy a full and happy life, especially if your feline's sense of smell and sight are still strong.
Deaf cats are still happy pets. Some hearing loss is a normal part of the aging process for both cats and humans. Making simple accommodations for a hearing-impaired pet isn't difficult.
Cats who've suddenly lost hearing or have gradual hearing loss may take a little longer to adjust to the change. The safest place for a deaf cat is indoors. She can't hear outside dangers such as cars, barking dogs, or other noises that could cause injury. She cannot hear you call her name to come home.
Newly deaf cats may become depressed by the sudden change in their hearing status, which makes spending time together all the more important. Any change in your fur baby's health is frightening, but living with a deaf cat isn't drastically different from living with a hearing cat.
Deaf cats startle easily. To avoid them becoming frightened, always approach your cat from the front where he or she can see you coming.
Without a sense of hearing, they are missing this key warning signal, which can result in increased stress, anxiety, and fear. Deaf cats have the same needs as a cat with full hearing and their behavior will be very similar, but there are subtle changes to be aware of.
Without hearing, they cannot perceive the sounds of potential dangers, like predators, cars, and heavy machinery. They also can't hear you calling them to return home. Deaf cats often feel vulnerable to predators, and they tend to startle easily. This can lead to increased anxiety and, in some cases, aggression.
Cats are adept at reading the body language of other felines. Although a deaf cat will not be able to hear another cat hiss, other visual indicators (such as body posture, tail movement, eye contact, and ear movement) will clue him into the situation.
If deafness occurs, it may be either unilateral or bilateral. Overall, deaf cats with white coat colour and one or both blue eyes, make up around about 1-1.5% of the total cat population.
Deafness in cats may be congenital (present at birth) or acquired as a result of infection, trauma, toxins (including certain drugs), or degeneration of the ear. Deafness present at birth can be inherited or result from toxic or viral damage to the developing unborn kitten.
Hereditary deafness is a major concern in white cats, and even more so if one or both irises are blue in color. Researchers found that only 17 to 22 percent of white cats with non-blue eyes are born deaf.
A) One of the main considerations when owning a deaf cat is safety because, unlike other cats, he is unable to hear danger, such as cars or other animals. For this reason, deaf cats tend to need to live indoors only, or ideally have access to a secure outside area.
Deafness in white-furred cats with blue eyes is highly prevalent due to a shared gene that is connected to inherited deafness in cats. Nothing is as striking as seeing a snowy white cat with crystal clear blue eyes. But, it may come as a surprise to learn that most white-coated blue-eyed cats are deaf.
Cats who've suddenly lost hearing or have gradual hearing loss may take a little longer to adjust to the change. The safest place for a deaf cat is indoors. She can't hear outside dangers such as cars, barking dogs, or other noises that could cause injury. She cannot hear you call her name to come home.