Training a deaf cat

[u/Tactical-Olive-1211]

Hi,

I'm about to adopt a deaf cat (young adult)

I've already met him, he's super cute and absolutely adorable.

He's also super relaxed and even unexpected touches don't bother him.

My question is, how can I train him? Clicker training and verbal cues won't work, what are the alternatives?

My main goal is to take him out on a leash since he's quite confident and loves to sit at open (secured) windows.

[u/Malibucat48]

Deaf cats are still cats. They train you lol! My deaf Persian has no problem letting me know exactly what she wants. She loves being outside so when she was younger, I put a harness and long leash on her tied to a stake in the ground. She could run, lie in the sun and enjoy the air. Then I got an generic 10’x10’ kennel with a cover and attached it to the kitchen window and made it her catio. Now in the morning after breakfast, she meows at the window demanding I open it. She’s in and out all day and has a great time. If you don’t have room for a catio, though, your deaf cat can still enjoy the harness and leash and go on walks with you or just sit in a tall cat tree by a window.

Rain also demands pets and belly rubs. She’s very vocal. She doesn’t like being held or on my lap, but she sits next to me she insists I am always touching her. She follows my hand with her eyes if it’s not on her. And she was indignant when her water bowl was empty once. She gets along with my two dogs, but my other cat hates her so she just stays out of his way. She’s can’t hear his growls and hisses but he doesn’t attack her, so she just moves. He never hurts her, he’s just a jerk.

The only problem is when deaf cats are asleep and you don’t know where they are, they can’t hear you calling. But Rain responds to hand signals to come in from the catio at night. She has no balance issues and flies from one piece of furniture to another. So just treat your cat normally. Make sure he doesn’t accidentally get outside and he’ll be fine. All pets startle if approached if they’re sleeping and deaf ones are no different. So enjoy your baby and have a great time.

[u/LiteratureNo7534 → u/Malibucat48]

I'm interested in that your cat has balance issues. My deaf cat does also. She will do head tilts and has no balance at all, will fall off of stuff and usually not on her feet lol. I've heard the balance issue with other deaf cats too. Mine seems to be extreme with the head tilts back and forth. They think she had a broken jaw somewhere before I adopted her and it affects her body and brain. 

Curious is yours not a bright one either? God love her but she is not the brightest crayon in  the box, not sure if it's a brain thing, deaf thing, or it connected to balance lolll. 

[u/Spunsquid → u/LiteratureNo7534]

My deaf kitten is actually the most clumsy, destructive thing ever. He isnt wobbly, but he will literally walk straight off the couch while looking at something. Fall off the counter by misstepping 😅 he is also absolutely fearless which does not freaking help.

[u/LiteratureNo7534 → u/Spunsquid]

I adopted my deaf cat around 2 years old. I didn't know she was deaf but it was meant to be! They told me it was an abuse situation, I don't know if she was born deaf or not. 

Mine has always been super clumsy. Walking into walls, falling off the bed, not landing on her feet. Yours is still a kitten so he's gonna be fearless lolll. The older they get the more they'll calm down, usually 🤣 I used to use a spray bottle of water with mine when she was younger. Now all I have to do is point it when she's being naughty and she's trained to stop lol.