How to Tell if a Cat is Deaf

We have just got an 8 week old Persian kitten which seems to be deaf. We make various noises just to get its attention with no success. Is it possible that he could truly be deaf? (Van, Georgia)

It is definitely possible to have a deaf cat, although this is usually more common in white cats. Almost the only way to tell that a cat is deaf is the "vacuum cleaner test". Normally kittens are afraid of the vacuum cleaner, but a deaf kitten likes to play with it. Another way to find out if your cat is deaf, is when you come home. Normally, your cats come to the door to meet you, but a deaf cat just continues to sleep on contentedly.

A cat deals with its deafness very well and compensates for the lack of hearing with other senses. So well, in fact, that it is almost impossible to distinguish deaf cat from cats with normal hearing. Naturally you can't command your deaf cat by yelling, but do even hearing cats obey every time? If only one ear is deaf, only the way the cat moves its head shows any deafness.

Deaf cats are more people-loving cats than those who can hear. These cats have louder voices, presumably they can't hear how loudly they meow!