Discover how to take care of a deaf cat like Luna for World Hearing Day (3 March)
Luna may be hard of hearing but that hasn’t held her back from enjoying life to the full in her new forever home.
The five-year-old tabby was recently adopted from our National Cat Adoption Centre in Sussex by Stephen and Vicki Huxtable, and they’re thrilled with their new feline friend.
Stephen said: “We decided Luna was the cat for us as we were completely won over by her vibrant and affectionate personality.
“Luna is chatty as if she wants to make sure we’ve heard all of her requests and demands! And we loved the way she goes nuts for feathery and flappy toys! She’ll certainly bring a lot of energy and warmth to our household.”
World Hearing Day raises awareness of ear and hearing care across the world, but it’s often not common knowledge that cats can suffer with hearing problems too.
Some cats are born deaf while others gradually lose their hearing as they age. For most cats, sudden loss of hearing is normally the result of illness or injury.
Many deaf cats compensate for their lack of hearing by using their other senses, such as smell and sight, more.
Top tips for caring for a deaf cat
- Get your cat’s hearing regularly checked by a vet. Some causes of deafness are treatable and reversible such as ear polyps, tumours, ear mites and wax build-up
- If hearing loss is permanent, then keep them indoors as they will be unable to pick up hazards such as cars or other animals. If your cat begs to go outdoors then ensure outside areas are completely safe and secure
- Provide extra toys, puzzle feeders and feathery toys to provide stimulation. Ensure your cat has easy access to their food and water and provide a scratching post for claw maintenance
- Deaf cats can get stressed by sudden approaches, so take heavier and slower steps when moving close to them. If you need to wake them from their sleep, then pad the area around them gently so they sense the vibrations
For more information about caring for deaf cats, visit www.cats.org.uk/deaf-cats
