BooBoo is our 16-year-old male kitty. He's been in wonderful health, other than allergy issues.
Last Thursday night, I realized that he couldn't hear me. I had called the cats for their bedtime snacks and he didn't show up. I figured that it was because he was sleeping soundly and wasn't paying attention. I walked over to the cat tree and tapped him on his shoulder. He awakened and when he realized that it was time for snacks, he jumped down and strolled out to the kitchen. But that made me curious.
After he was done eating and bathing, I walked behind him, reached down and snapped my fingers. No response, not even an ear flicker. Now I know that just this past weekend when we were all playing with Da Bird, I was talking to him and he gave responses. Now nothing.
Got him to the vet right away on Friday. And yes, he is deaf. I feel badly because I didn't see this. I didn't realize that he could no longer hear. The vet says that, other that his deafness, he is fine. Heart is good, lungs are clear, his coat is nice and shiny and there's no weight loss. The vet said that he's still quite the handsome old man and that, sometimes, cats will simply stop being able to hear. It's part of old age, much like we tend to lose our hearing as we age. He still loves his meals and his snacks. She gave him his rabies shot and we brought him home.
But now? His favorite spot is under the sofa and that makes me sad. When it's time for food, I lift the sofa skirt up and tap Boo. And I clap with hands together, without making a sound. Three times. Then I crook my index finger and say, "Boo? C'mon buddy.....time for snackies!" He always comes out and eats very well. Gives himself a bath and then goes back under the sofa. He doesn't lie up in the cat tree like he used to. He doesn't lie on top of the sofa or flop in our laps. He's starting to live under the sofa.
What can I do to help him feel more comfortable in his silent world? I don't want him to feel that he has to stay under the sofa, that that's the only place he can feel safe now. It's heartbreaking. I still talk to him, still tell him that he's my purrrrty man and my Mr. Boooooo.
Can you give me some ideas to make his life a little more comfortable so that he doesn't hide so much? I feel so sad for him.
Last Thursday night, I realized that he couldn't hear me. I had called the cats for their bedtime snacks and he didn't show up. I figured that it was because he was sleeping soundly and wasn't paying attention. I walked over to the cat tree and tapped him on his shoulder. He awakened and when he realized that it was time for snacks, he jumped down and strolled out to the kitchen. But that made me curious.
After he was done eating and bathing, I walked behind him, reached down and snapped my fingers. No response, not even an ear flicker. Now I know that just this past weekend when we were all playing with Da Bird, I was talking to him and he gave responses. Now nothing.
Got him to the vet right away on Friday. And yes, he is deaf. I feel badly because I didn't see this. I didn't realize that he could no longer hear. The vet says that, other that his deafness, he is fine. Heart is good, lungs are clear, his coat is nice and shiny and there's no weight loss. The vet said that he's still quite the handsome old man and that, sometimes, cats will simply stop being able to hear. It's part of old age, much like we tend to lose our hearing as we age. He still loves his meals and his snacks. She gave him his rabies shot and we brought him home.
But now? His favorite spot is under the sofa and that makes me sad. When it's time for food, I lift the sofa skirt up and tap Boo. And I clap with hands together, without making a sound. Three times. Then I crook my index finger and say, "Boo? C'mon buddy.....time for snackies!" He always comes out and eats very well. Gives himself a bath and then goes back under the sofa. He doesn't lie up in the cat tree like he used to. He doesn't lie on top of the sofa or flop in our laps. He's starting to live under the sofa.
What can I do to help him feel more comfortable in his silent world? I don't want him to feel that he has to stay under the sofa, that that's the only place he can feel safe now. It's heartbreaking. I still talk to him, still tell him that he's my purrrrty man and my Mr. Boooooo.
Can you give me some ideas to make his life a little more comfortable so that he doesn't hide so much? I feel so sad for him.
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for him to feel happier soon!
He will adjust and I wonder if this was sudden or if he was slowly losing his hearing. My older dog Wilbur is losing his hearing little by little. I think it is part of old age in our babies. It is sad to lose what we were once so used to enjoying with them. I just spend more time holding and snuggling Wilbur (which he used to hate :lol3
and enjoying his golden years for as many days as I can. I do miss the "young" vibrant Wilbur, but am loving this new phase in our journey together. It is SO hard when they are getting on in age and start having these issues. For you Boo Boo 
