At home with an older cat · everyday communication

Is your older cat missing your voice?

You call from the doorway, but your cat stays curled up. Then a hand nearby seems to arrive as a surprise. For the next greeting, let your cat see you before moving closer, and leave a pause before any touch.

If this is a new change, contact your veterinarian for an assessment. AAHA recommends evaluating new or unusual behavior in senior cats; a missed cue alone cannot tell you what caused it.

Illustration of an awake tabby resting on a cushion while a caregiver sits in view, leaving space between them — A greeting with room to notice each other. AI-generated illustration; it does not depict a hearing test.

Give the greeting a little more space

Vetwest’s guidance for older cats with hearing changes starts with making yourself visible before approaching. Come into view from the front rather than reaching from behind. Pause, and let your cat notice you before deciding whether to move closer.

If your cat moves away, leave the greeting there. You do not need to pick them up or turn their head to get an answer. Tell visitors and children about the change, too, so a familiar resting spot does not become a place of unexpected hands.

Keep everyday cues consistent across the household. For example, agree on the same gentle, visible gesture when you invite an awake cat to come over. This is a communication idea, not a way to measure hearing. There is no need to add louder calls, flashing lights, or a new scent.

The change deserves more than an age label

The Merck Veterinary Manual’s overview of deafness in cats describes several possible causes of acquired hearing loss, including ear disease, blockage, injury and aging. Hearing loss can also be partial or affect one ear. Whether hearing can return depends on the cause.

That is why “she heard something yesterday” and “she must be permanently deaf” are both more than a household observation can establish. The useful detail is what happened in an ordinary situation, not a conclusion about the ear.

Do not stage a home hearing test with clapping, banging objects or repeated surprise approaches. Leave ear drops, cleaning inside the ear and other treatment decisions to the veterinary team.

Bring one ordinary example to the appointment

A short note can be enough to start the conversation: when you first noticed the change, whether your cat was awake or resting, where you were, and what your cat did. Add other changes you have noticed, such as discomfort, eating differently or moving differently. Share what you already know when you call; you do not need to complete a log first.

For example: “This morning she was awake on her cushion. She did not turn toward my usual greeting from the doorway, but looked up when I moved into view.” That is an example of wording, not a test to recreate.

While you arrange the visit, keep familiar routines steady. If getting to the appointment is the next concern, our senior-cat carrier routine explains how to prepare for a planned trip without forcing practice.

Give the greeting a little more space

The change deserves more than an age label

Bring one ordinary example to the appointment

Sources behind this guide