General Chat

Thanks for your replies - did the 'rattle' test - no response.
Called him when he was on the windowsill (outside, window open) watching the world go by - no response.
He's black - so his colour has nothing to do with his problem - possibly just another of his many congenital defects!!
He manages okay with a bent tail and it's taken me 3 years to realise he may be deaf - at least he has managed to avoid being hit by a car - unlike his brother who has a very long straight tail, retractable claws and perfect hearing!! LOL

Marion,

my dog is a bit like that, totally ignores commands like "fetch the paper",or "find my slippers" n things, but say walkies, or "lets put the car away",or rattle the car keys,and she is up like a shot!

Bob

i had a white cat ......he was deaf .........but not to worry............. he coped .... well with this....... and live to be very old....

Have you shouted on him for his dinner etc?
My cat isnt deaf, you just need to say the word chicken and her eyes pop out of her head lol.
She is really jumpy though,always has been. you just have to move suddenly and she jumps.

Marion

My most recently departed cat had gone blind without me realising for some time - it was only when he walked right into one of the others who was settled down on his pathway to the kitchen that i was alerted.

I tested him out a couple of times after that and all became apparent - however it was linked to other ailments he was suffering.

I'm sure your boy will manage fine - his other senses will be heightened xxx

We had a deaf cat once, And you honestly would not have known. They use their other senses so well.
Poppy was deaf from birth, She was a white cat with blue eyes - They are often deaf. We didn't know that of course untill later. We also had a white boy (not deaf) and he would really look after her - grooming etc. I think he knew :-)

Pat

Aw Maggie. What a shame.
I know any cats that I've had in the past always responded to the rattle test.
Good luck

He's only 3, but has 'congenital' problems - bent tail, non-retracting claws etc
Don't give them treats, but will try the 'dry food rattle' tomorrow.
Could be that he was in 'another world' when I walked into the room.......
........or maybe a guilty conscience!

That is quite possible. Is he very old? A vet could tell you. However, I have had mine do that. They feel so safe in the home and are so used to their owners, that they don't react quickly if the noise is familiar, then they suddenly jump when they realise you are so close!

Do you have a box of his favourite treats?
Try rattling them in a quiet room, and see if he responds.

One of my cats is deaf.
No idea how you tell. but fireworks don't 'phase' him.
I walked noisily into the living room today and he didn't notice - He actually 'jumped' when he saw me.