Is my dog deaf?
I have a feeling my dog is deaf or short on hearing. He often ignores me when I call him and isn't always affected by sounds coming from outside. Is there a way for me to tell?
1 Answer
Deafness in dogs can occur for a number of reasons, and it can affect either one or both ears. Understanding the causes and what signs to look for will help you to recognize hearing loss and to provide the care that your dog needs for a good quality of life. Deaf dogs will not respond to sounds around them, such as someone knocking at the door or a family member calling the dog’s name. If you enter a room, your dog may not appear to notice and will not acknowledge your presence until eye contact is made or floor vibrations from your footsteps are felt. The dog may fail to respond to commands with which it was previously familiar. A dog that has partial hearing loss may respond to sounds, but it may appear to perceive a sound as coming from a different direction than that of the actual source. The dog may appear confused.