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We have a new cat in the house who is deaf. she is having problems, hissing and such. Are there special needs, things we should do for her?
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special needs deaf cat?
- Thread starter knittykitty
- Start Date
Do you have other cats? Did you set up an introduction room for her, or did you just immediately give her run of the house?
She's hissing to set boundaries, or because she's surprised by something. It will take her a little time (like with any kitty!) to make your home her territory. You should consider joining the Yahoo deaf cats group, I'm sure they'll have lots of tips. We have a deaf kitty, but she was rescued very ill at a very young age, so she didn't really go through a normal "adjustment" period, she was too sick.
I do know that deaf cats have a fascination with gravity in general (especially since pushing things off of tables and counters is a very effective method of getting their person's attention. :lol3: ), so good idea to clear your surfaces. :lol3: And most really enjoy being up high - even better if in a corner of a room. If you don't have shelves for your kitty or cat trees, you might want to consider some. Flowerbelle always loves being up high to keep an eye on everything!
But if you have other cats, she definitely needs her own "safe" room for the introduction process. And whenever a new kitty comes home, it's best to have a safe room set up for them, and let them make that space their territory before letting them have free run of the apartment or house. Cats are all about territory, and new territory takes some adjustment - and too much of it all at once is just overwhelming. :rub:
She's hissing to set boundaries, or because she's surprised by something. It will take her a little time (like with any kitty!) to make your home her territory. You should consider joining the Yahoo deaf cats group, I'm sure they'll have lots of tips. We have a deaf kitty, but she was rescued very ill at a very young age, so she didn't really go through a normal "adjustment" period, she was too sick.
I do know that deaf cats have a fascination with gravity in general (especially since pushing things off of tables and counters is a very effective method of getting their person's attention. :lol3: ), so good idea to clear your surfaces. :lol3: And most really enjoy being up high - even better if in a corner of a room. If you don't have shelves for your kitty or cat trees, you might want to consider some. Flowerbelle always loves being up high to keep an eye on everything!
But if you have other cats, she definitely needs her own "safe" room for the introduction process. And whenever a new kitty comes home, it's best to have a safe room set up for them, and let them make that space their territory before letting them have free run of the apartment or house. Cats are all about territory, and new territory takes some adjustment - and too much of it all at once is just overwhelming. :rub:
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I had a deaf cat a couple of years ago (she crossed the bridge in December 2010). One thing I can recommend is if you want to pet her or get her attention when she is sleeping or just not looking at you, gently tap the surface she is on a little bit close to her so she can feel you are there.
Yup. Everything has to be about presence. Walking a little harder before you enter a room so she knows you are there, tapping near her so she knows you are there, and use of visual gestures.
I'm pretty sure there is a Jackson Galaxy episode about a deaf cat. Maybe watch that?
I'm pretty sure there is a Jackson Galaxy episode about a deaf cat. Maybe watch that?
