Communicating With Your Deaf Cat
December 14th, 2008 at 08:24am Under Cat Care+ Cat Health+ Cat Owner+ Feline Health+ Training
By Carolyn McFann
By understanding and responding the unique needs of your deaf
cat, the two of you will develop a closer relationship and
better communication skills. The sensitive pet owner can learn
from watching how his or her pet reacts and adapts to its
surroundings. It takes time, persistence, and patience for both
owner and pet to know each other and learn to “speak” each
other’s language.
Since there is no hearing to rely on, the remaining senses of
the deaf cat are usually heightened. For example, a deaf pet may
rely on vibration (touch), odors (smell), or lights (vision) for
stimulation. My cat, Beau, a lovely and very rambunctious white
Turkish Angora is profoundly deaf. He was a rescue from a
shelter, and came to me at two years old, depressed and
withdrawn due to his inability to connect to others. This
beautiful cat sat under my coffee table for a month, forlorn and
in his own little world, only coming out to eat, or use his cat
box. In the following weeks, I watched his behavior and noticed
that he responded when anyone walked on the hardwood floors
around him. He could feel the vibrations in the floor and woke
up whenever he felt movement.
To use the knowledge that he responded to vibration, I taught
Beau to respond to my tapping on the floor, to come to dinner.
He learned this quickly, along with quick, simple signs
(wiggling my finger as to say “Come here”, for example). This
was stimulating to him and his mood perked up with each new
connection to his new family. He wanted to connect, and by
giving him the ability to do this lifted his mood. In time, I
used this combination of simple visual signs and floor tapping
to teach him other basic commands ( such as “no”, “good kitty”,
etc) as well.
Also, in observing him, I noticed that Beau sleeps very soundly
but jumps through the roof if petted abruptly. Too much sudden
touch stimulation is startling to him. So, to remedy this, I
gently touch or tap whatever he is laying on, to let him know I
am there and about to approach. This has cut down in the startle
response tremendously.
Watching Beau in his everyday life, I also noticed that he
enjoys fast moving lights and shadows. He will sit for hours,
entertaining himself with any sudden movement on the walls. So,
to give him a little play, using this knowledge, I bought a
faceted, crystal ball sun catcher and hung it in the window.
When sun hits it, rainbows fly everywhere. Being in Florida,
there are always rainbows in my living room from this ball. Beau
will spend the entire day chasing rainbows and will come sit
next to me if there aren’t any. He looks toward the window, as
if to ask if I’ll bring the rainbows back. This sun catcher is
his only toy, as Beau doesn’t find normal cat toys the least bit
entertaining. It is such an accomplishment for him to have
something that truly makes him happy and excited.
Seeing how Beau reacts with happiness to touch, I have made a
point to pet pet him frequently. If I walk by him, my hand
reaches out to stroke him as I walk by. He melts like a furry,
white blob of mush whenever touched, tail flapping happily. When
he sees me get his brush out, he knows it is meant to use on him
and sits expectantly, waiting for it. Something as small as a
brush is a comfort to him, as if the brushing is like the
grooming of his fur by his mother long ago.
Another way I use to connect to Beau is by holding him and
talking into his fur so that he can feel the vibrations of my
voice box. He purrs when I do this, delighted to know I am
“talking” to him. When in college years ago, next door was a
school for the deaf. I remember how hard of hearing or deaf
people still liked to go to rock concerts. When I asked a friend
of mine (who is partially deaf) why she liked concerts, she told
me it was because she could feel the vibrations of the music.
Her experience to music was different than that of mine, but
still just as powerfully felt. So, I use this thought when it
comes in talking into Beau’s fur as I hold him. He feels me talk
and though it isn’t the same as word speaking, he finds the
experience positive in his own way.
One puzzling behavior Beau regularly confounds me with is his
midnight opera singing. This is my latest puzzle to figure out.
Being deaf, he doesn’t realize that when he sings at the tops of
his lungs, he wakes everyone up in the house. Sometimes he will
sit in the big windows overlooking the lake, and sing loudly at
the neighbors walking by. It is cute to see him try to
communicate with others, but I am working to teach him ways to
channel his singing talents without scaring anyone. By keeping
him awake and stimulated all day, I found that Beau sleeps
through the night, and that cuts down on the moonlight
serenades. It’s all about adapting to each other. We are still
learning on this one.
Living with a deaf pet is a challenging yet very rewarding
experience. Beau has added variety, love and much song to our
lives. He is happy, loving and very good at letting me know what
he needs now. We have developed a working system of
communication, and as a result, he is by my side as I work in my
home office, daily. He has taught me to be more sensitive and I
have taught him to come out of hiding and enjoy life. With a
little teamwork, we have both grown. I highly recommend adopting
a deaf pet for anyone who is patient, caring and willing to put
forth effort in understanding their new family member. Each pet
is different, read about other deaf animals and learn. The
result is a happy, well-adjusted cat who will give you endless
love and devotion, and the peace of mind in knowing that you
saved a pet from a life of total solitude. It is well worth the
effort in the end.
About the Author: Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature
illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio. Educated
at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is
a seasoned, well-traveled artist and photographer. She has lived
and worked in Cancun, Mexico for two years, among other
interesting professional assignments in other countries. Clients
include nature parks, museums, scientists, corporations and
private owners. Her focus is on realistic, natural artwork and
illustration through her agent and her website,
www.cafepress.com/twopurringcats She has been the subject
of tv interviews, articles for newspapers and other popular
media venues.
Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: www.isnare.com/?aid=146776&ca=Pets
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