‘I feel like my first cat being deaf might be starting off on hard mode’: Cat pawrent's pleas fall on the listening ears of the wholesome online feline family

Author image for Ayala Sorotsky
Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor
Oct 25, 2025 1:00 PM EDT

The Cat Distribution System works in truly mysterious ways, sometimes borderline meowgical -  because when a little feline soul needs help, it somehow knows who to find. And in this case, it sent a smol, deaf kitten straight into the arms of someone ready to learn a whole new language of love. Maybe not with words, but with patience, care, and soft, heart-melting gestures that say "You're safe now, little one."

When a first-time cat pawrent wonders if they're "starting on hard mode", the online feline family always shows up to remind them they're not alone. From purrents of tripod kitties to those caring for senior floofs or deaf kittens, this community is one big, supportive cuddle pile of advice, kindness, and love. Every whiskered wondering is understood here.

And honestly? It's not surprising to us that the CDS got it right again. Because the perfect cat doesn't always come in the easiest form - sometimes, it comes as a challenge wrapped in fur, asking you to grow your heart a little bigger. And judging by how smitten this new cat parent already is, we'd say they're absolutely ready for the quest. After all, a deaf kitten doesn't need to hear love to feel it - she just needed the right hoomans to listen.

Is your inbox feline too professional? Add some cats falling off counters. Subscribe here!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your Caturday with the funniest felines on the internet!

Advertisement
  • 01
    So, I guess it does get everyone eventually. My GF and I just got a deaf kitten. My mom found it outside today and now it's in our living room. Kitten
    via Natsuki98
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10567278336
    via Natsuki98
  • 03
    She's so smol and so deaf. Tiny little squeaky meow.
    via Natsuki98

  • It's always adorable to hear the tiny and squeaky meows of deaf cats - they don't know how they sound, so it's always a special kind of tone. It's rather cute when you think about it, because cats' meows are meant for humans, they don't meow towards each other.

  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10567285248
    via Natsuki98
  • 05
    Otherwise Tone_1370 • 4h ago She may not be deaf but have bad ear infections or ear mites? Worth asking the vet when she goes. 127 > Reply
    via Otherwise_Tone_1370
  • 06
    Natsuki98 OP • 4h ago It could very well be something else but the fact that she doesn't respond to any noise makes me think deaf. I will get her to the vet as soon as possible. This whole thing happened at a bad time. 94 Reply
    via Natsuki98
  • 07
    Marcinecali73 • 3h ago We thought my dad's puppy was deaf, he responded to nothing, not banging pots and pans, yelling, nada, didn't even turn his head. Took him to the vet and they tested him with a tuner and he can hear just fine. He just doesn't care lol. ❀ 118 Reply
    via Marcinecali73
  • 08
    Omwtfyu ⚫ 2h ago That's one unbothered pupper! 19 Reply 13WillieBeaman • 1m ago Ah... sounds like a cat! 1 Reply ...
    via Omwtfyu | 13WillieBeaman
  • 09
    ShartlesAndJames ⚫ 3h ago you don't have to call out of work or cancel plans - just get that baby into the vet when you can/soonish. you are a HERO! XOXO 12 > Reply ...
    via ShartlesAndJames
  • 10
    terriblenegotiator • 3h ago It's not uncommon for vets to offer free first time exam visits. Of course, if you need to do actual testing for anything that's an extra cost, but at least you don't have to pay the base cost for the visit. We just did this today with two feral kittens we found; found a vet that offers free first time exams and saved like $140. وه 893 Reply
    via terriblenegotiator
  • 11
    ghostwriter1313 · 4h ago Aww. So adorable. I had a cat that went deaf when she got older. It was no big deal, you just have to teach them hand and touch commands. She looks like such a sweetie. ↑ 50 > Reply
    via ghostwriter1313
  • 12
    Natsuki98 OP • 4h ago I'll have to look into the touch commands if we decide to keep her. Thanks! ↑ 15 > Reply BornFree2018 • 3h ago Feline Sign Language! ↑ 3 Reply > ...
    via Natsuki98 | BornFree2018
  • 13
    Roids_001 18m ago My deaf cat Stuart knows hand signals! He has no volume control which is always fun at 4am when HE decides it's snack time
    via Roids_001
  • 14
    T2 Five Shek Peppermint WINING 0:00 199 00 Tetley 160 NATURA GREE 40
    via Roids_001

  • Oh, deaf cat Stuart really does look like trouble, in the most adorable way possible. Look at that face, that stance, you know he screams for a snack in the middle of (his very silent) night.

  • 15
    • mommitude ⚫ 4h ago You will want to gently rub her to wake her or pat the couch next to her. She can't hear, but she can feel vibrations. I don't know if you have any experience but just be patient with yourself and her. Congratulations ↑ 27 > Reply
    via mommitude
  • 16
    Natsuki98 OP • 4h ago I have very little experience with cats, really only dogs. I feel like my first cat being deaf might be starting off on hard mode. I feel like if I gave it enough time though, I'll be alright. +22 Reply
    via Natsuki98
  • 17
    Hali-Gani • 3h ago Yeah... that's kind of the way life is... jobs, people you love, your first house _, especially kids and pets. Not to lecture, but if you get married that's the "for better or worse" clause.
    via Hali-Gani
  • 18
    So you're just doing something brilliantly loving. that will reward you more than you know. A year from now you'll marvel at how easy it is to love your kitten who loves you in turn Thank you وه 893 > Reply
    via Hali-Gani
  • 19
    Lews There_In⚫ 4h ago Deaf cats/kittens need a little more care than ones that can hear, but they can still live a happy life with the right care.
    via Lews_There_In
  • 20
    You'll have to keep them safe indoors and use visual and tactile cues to get their attention to communicate with them. Take things very slow at first, set up a routine you both can stick to. They'll
    via Lews_There_In
  • 21
    be more vulnerable to hazards since they can't hear them, so some kitten/cat proofing will definitely be in order. There are a lot of resources out there about
    via Lews_There_In
  • 22
    caring for deaf cats, so don't be afraid to do some research or ask questions. Congrats on your new kitten! Cute as could be! ◇ 23 ○ Reply
    via Lews_There_In
  • 23
    MommaAmadora • 3h ago Cuuute. We have a deaf baby in our feral colony. His name is Droplet, he is completely deaf and has a head tilt from what I think was a hawk attack when he was a tiny baby. One day he
    via MommaAmadora
  • 24
    was fine, the next he had bl near his ear on one side of his head and could barely walk because of how bad his head tilt was.
    via MommaAmadora
  • 25
    He was super feral and still managed to run away each time I tried to catch him. But he survived and is thriving at 6 months old now.
    via MommaAmadora
  • 26
    Deaf as a stone, but his head tilt is minor now and he is very observant. He plays, eats, and rests just like all the others. ▷ 12 Reply
    via MommaAmadora
  • 27
    alacattaz⚫ 3h ago We got a deaf kitten a few months ago and she's turned out to be wonderful and quite vocal lol. We gently shake her bed or blowair on her to wake her up. She makes a bunch of trill noises all the time when she wants to play. Have fun! وه 893 Reply
    via alacattaz
  • 28
    . DustOne7437 • 3h ago Our 20 yr old girl has gone completely deaf. It's really interesting, cause instead of regular meowing, now she screams! She also tends to
    via DustOne7437
  • 29
    hang out with her bot against the wall or up against furniture so nothing can sneak up on her. Had to move her heating pad and bed into a corner so she wasn't so jumpy about things coming up behind her. 863 > Reply
    via DustOne7437
  • 30
    Abhorsen9 3h ago • Edited 3h ago Hum and talk to her with your mouth up against her, like her belly, so she can feel the vibrations. A good belly zerbert never hurt anything. 843 > Reply ...
    via Abhorsen9
  • 31
    Ok_Foot1988.3h ago Thank you for helping her. I hope it turns out to be just an ear infection or something, but even if the lack of hearing is permanent she still a beautiful kitty who has amazing hoomans helping her. B ♡ 2 Reply
    via Ok_Foot1988

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

wholesome smol kittens cat wholesome cats adorable adoption adorable cats cds heartwarming cat adoption kitten cute cute cats adopted feline small happy ending Cat distribution system happy smol deaf Cats cute kittens
Scroll Down For The Next Article