Deaf Cats - please help Snowy find a loving home.

Snowy is our current deaf cat looking for a loving home. He will need a home with an enclosed garden away from busy roads and traffic. He is a stunning white fluffy cat who finds himself here after his owner’s child developed an allergy. He is a sweet sensitive boy who is hoping to find someone who will take him home and love him forever. If you can offer Snowy a suitable home to meet his needs, please get in touch with us. Here is some information  below written by Cats Protection about deaf cats....

Deaf cats compensate for their lack of hearing by using their other senses more, so much that it may be hard to tell whether or not they are deaf. There are varying degrees of deafness and different causes which may or may not be treatable.

Types of deafness

There are two main types of deafness: -

Where the sound cannot pass into the ear, e.g due to –

-       Tumours

-       Outer and middle ear infections

-       Wax build up

-       Ear mites

This type of deafness (above) may be reversible by treating the root cause.

Where the nerves associated with the ear do not function properly e.g due to –

-       Genetic problems (e.g. in the case of some white cats)

-       Inner ear infections

-       Drug toxicity

-       Noise trauma

-       Age-related degeneration

All of these can produce permanent deafness.

How can I tell if my cat is deaf?

It can be difficult to determine if a cat is deaf, particularly if he has been deaf from birth and is very used to his condition, but signs may include:

-       Failure to respond when called or when loud appliances are switched on

-       Being easily startled

-       Very loud miaowing

-       Signs of dizziness or disorientation

-       Shaking the head or clawing at the ear

-       Pus, discharge or unpleasant odour coming from the ear

How do I help my deaf cat adapt?

Generally, a deaf cat doesn’t need to be treated any differently than any other cat. If your cat is easily startled, try walking heavily to announce your presence. Some cats also learn to recognise hand or light signals. When doing this, you must be distinct and consistent so as not to confuse him.

Deaf cats cannot hear danger signals such as cars or other animals. Cats Protection recommends that they are kept indoors for their own safety unless you have an escape-proof garden or away from busy roads. If you decide to let your deaf cat out, make sure he wears a well-fitted safety collar that states his disability and your details in case he escapes.

If you decide to keep your cat indoors entirely, ensure you enrich his environment with toys, games, climbers and scratchers to alleviate boredom. (Written by Cats Protection)