Cat ear problems
Cat ears – just like ours – are sensitive things, and should always be handled with care. Your cat’s ears should always be clean, with no thick brown or green waxy discharge, and there shouldn’t be any redness, itchiness or unusual smells.
If your cat starts to scratch their ears, shake their head more than normal, hold their head to one side or rub one side of their face, they might be trying to let you know something’s not quite right, and you should take them to the vet to have their ears checked. Severe cat ear problems can have more serious effects, such as the loss of balance, but this can be due to other causes so it’s always a good idea to visit your vet for advice.
There are lots of reasons why cat ear problems can occur, but thankfully your vet will be able to examine your cat’s ears safely and tell you what tests or treatment might be needed to get them back to tip-top condition.
Helping to prevent cat ear problems
Cats are less likely to inherit hearing problems than dogs are, but deafness in cats is more common in some purebreds and in white cats with blue eyes. There are lots of reasons why a cat might lose their hearing including neurological problems, severe ear infections, trauma or simply – like humans – old age. Older cats can sometimes lose their hearing so gradually that many owners don’t notice anything unusual for a long time, and sometimes not until they’re totally deaf. If your cat has gone deaf, don’t worry – cats generally cope well with hearing loss.
How to tell if your cat is deaf
Identifying whether your cat is deaf can be quite tricky as they rely on a lot of other senses to get around, such as the touch of their whiskers. However deaf cats won’t hear you approach them, and they won’t twitch their ears when there’s a sound, or turn to look at where a sound is coming from. If you’re concerned, talk to your vet, who will be able to assess your cat’s hearing.
Cats cope well with deafness, so the most important thing you can do is to make sure they’re safe, and try to prevent them from getting into a situation where their lack of hearing could be dangerous.
Deaf cats sleep very deeply and are easily startled, so make sure your whole family knows not to sneak up on them, and to only approach your cat from an angle that they can see you, so they’re not frightened.
If your cat wears a collar, make sure it shows your address and vet’s phone number, plus a note that identifies them as deaf. Make sure they’re microchipped, too, so they can be easily returned to you if they wander off or get lost.
By taking a little extra care, there’s no reason why your deaf cat shouldn’t be as happy and healthy as any other hearing cat would. With a few small changes, you can look forward to a fulfilling future with your feline friend.
If you’d like more information on ear problems in your cat or have any other queries, contact our PETCARE EXPERT TEAM.