Dogs and cats typically hear much better than humans, but they also are excellent at adapting to using other senses if they start losing their hearing. Deaf senior pets can live a happy and fulfilling life, especially if their owners are willing to take a few precautions to ensure their safety.

What causes deafness in pets?

Deafness in pets can be caused by genetics. Blue-eyed, white cats are commonly born deaf, and white or merle-coated dogs are at higher risk of being born deaf. Thirty percent of dalmatians are born deaf in one or both ears. When the head has no or little pigment, the pigment in the inner ear fails to develop, resulting in the death of nerve cells that are needed for hearing to evolve. Other factors that can result in deafness include untreated or chronic ear infections, injury, drug toxicity, and age-related degeneration.

How do I know if my senior pet is deaf?

Your pet’s hearing loss may not be evident, especially if they gradually lose their hearing. Senior pets are good at compensating by relying more on smell and sight to negotiate their environment. Signs you may notice include:

- Failing to respond when you call

- A change in obedience or response to commands

- Lack of response to loud or sudden noises

- Startling easily

- Having a difficult time waking

- Excessively or loudly vocalizing

- Frequent head shaking or tilting

You can test your senior pet’s hearing by making a loud, sudden noise when you are out of their sightline, and seeing if they respond. Do not make a noise involving a vibration, such as stomping your foot, because your pet will be able to feel the vibration, and will respond to that stimulus. A definitive way to test your senior pet’s hearing is to have a veterinarian perform a brainstem auditory evoked response test (BAER). Electrodes are placed around the pet’s scalp to read electrical activity in the cochlea of the ear and the brain’s auditory pathways, in response to clicks delivered to their ear via earphones. 

What precautions should I take for my deaf senior pet?

Ensuring your deaf senior pet is safe, and finding new ways to communicate, will help them continue to be your loyal companion. 

Identification — Keep your senior cat inside unless they are in an enclosed patio. When you take your senior dog out for walks, keep them leashed at all times, because they cannot hear traffic or other noises that indicate danger. Place a bell on their collar to help you find them should they escape, and ensure they have a collar and accurate identification tags. Microchipping is a good idea.

Knowledge — Ensure you do not startle your senior pet. Approach them where they can see you, or by treading heavily so they can feel the vibrations. Tell people your senior pet is deaf, and warn them to not touch your pet unless they are aware they are near.

Communication — Learn how and when to communicate. 

Learn to use hand signals. You can start this training by instigating a way to get their attention—you can wave, thump your fist on the floor, or touch them gently, using the same spot every time.

Since clicker training is not useful for deaf senior pets, devise a way to signal “good” to your senior pet. A thumbs-up is commonly used. Give them the thumbs-up signal and a treat at the same time, so they understand the signal means “good.”

Create different hand signals for each command, such as “Sit,” “Stay,” “Come,” “No,” and “Watch.” You should also establish a hand sign indicating your senior pet’s name. Regardless of the signals you use, be consistent in your communication.

You can use a flashlight or pen light as a signal. This is a good way to let your senior pet know their dinner is ready, or that you are going for a walk.

Let your senior pet know you are leaving the house. If they wake up and find you are gone, they may become stressed and upset.

A collar that produces a light vibration can be useful for some senior pets, to help get their attention, but never use a shock collar.

Your senior pet’s deafness does not have to be a barrier to your bond. You can devise other ways to communicate with them and ensure they live a happy, connected life. However, if your senior pet is affected by a condition that has poorly affected their quality of life, veterinary hospice care may be a benefit in their final days.