Deafness In Dogs And Cats… What Can We Do?
Deafness in dogs and cats is usually common when they reach old age, although it can also happen due to a birth problem or caused by an infection. There is no doubt that the owner of a pet feels great satisfaction when his pet runs towards him when called, however, when this does not occur, this behavior must be taken into account.
At first, it is believed that it is probably a moment of distraction for the animal not to present itself when called. However, when this becomes a constant attitude, one has to suspect that it may be the sign of deafness.
However, one should not sit idly by the situation, as it is possible to find solutions, making life a little easier with training and a few tricks.
And, of course, you will need to be patient in this learning period, which can be slow but effective.
Dogs and cats more prone to deafness
The dog breeds most likely to be deaf are the Dalmatian, Bull Terrier and Terrier, while white cats may be predisposed to being deaf.
Although the origin of this color-associated abnormality is not known, it is believed to be due to nerve structures in the ear and pigmentation.
How to face the deafness of dogs and cats?
Deafness is usually a big problem for animals, as hearing is one of the most important senses they have.
So much so that cats are capable of losing their balance and cannot stand on the edge of tables or trees.
Deaf dogs or cats are more vulnerable to various dangers such as traffic, for example. Therefore, it is essential that you always go out with your pet with a leash and a leash.
There are times when animals do not respond to their owners’ calls, but they may not have completely lost their hearing.
It is possible that they can still hear the highest sounds. However, you can also resort to the option of using light signals, such as turning a flashlight on and off, since however much he has been shaken by deafness, other senses have not been affected and will need to be developed.
A deaf dog or cat maintains its sense of smell and, in this way, should be stimulated by putting food on it so that you can communicate with them.
Sign language
Cats and dogs are capable of reacting to hand movements in the form of a call, just as people do.
For this reason, for him to learn this new language, you will have to reward him every time he approaches you.
In case of difficulties with the process of learning this type of language for deaf animals, look for a course or book on the subject to find out how to better communicate with your pet.
Vibration
Animals recognize the vibration that human beings produce with their hands, just as they do when striking with their feet.
Also, there are some collars that are sold in specialty stores that have the ability to vibrate and do not cause any harm to the pet.
friend as guide
A deaf pet may have another pet that is not deaf as a guide. That is, if you ring the bell, for example, the animal with good hearing will run to the door and the other will follow.
Better safe than sorry
There are precautions that, if taken, can prevent infections and diseases capable of causing deafness in animals.
An essential care is the cleaning of the ears, which should be done monthly or at most every two months. However, if the animal shows signs of itching or pain in the region, it is best to take him to the veterinarian.
It never hurts to consult him about the products that are available to clean the ears of a dog or cat, and the best way to do it, since if the cleaning is not done correctly, the pet may have a infection.
test for cats
If you’re intrigued to find out if your cat ignores you because his temperament is like that or if he’s a deaf problem, you can test him by turning on a vacuum cleaner near him to see if he runs away scared of the noise or if he’s going to play with the device. .
You can also tell if the meowing is louder than it was before, as a deaf cat can no longer regulate the volume.
What did you think of this article about deafness in dogs and cats? Have you performed any tests on your animal?
