Can dogs be born deaf, or do they become deaf later in life?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Are dogs that are deaf, born deaf; or is the deafness developed through time.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on December 11th, 2017
Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There are definitely dogs that are deaf. Some dogs are born deaf, either due to a genetic mutation or malformation of the hearing apparatus. There are other dogs who can become deaf over time, due to damage to the ear drum, damage to certain cells within the ear, or chronic treatment with certain medications. I hope this answers your question!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on
Hello, and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Both of these are possible. Some dogs have congenital deafness, meaning it is a condition they are born with. This is often associated with pigment in the haircoat, and is most common in dogs with white, spotted, or merle haircoats. Dogs can also develop deafness with age, most often due to chronic inflammatory conditions in the ear, such as chronic ear infections. Hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Training & Behavior
Harley is beagle/rat terrier or so we were told. Anyways my wife and I think she may be deaf but can't afford a BEAR test. We have tried clapping hands very loud, opening bags of food. Calling her by her name all out of her line of sight and nothing
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! It sounds like you’ve done all the usual tests so yes, I wouldn’t be surprised if she were deaf. I will say though that testing during puppyhood is difficult because puppies haven’t learned how to react to things yet. I’d say there is a slim chance she can hear. But for her, I’d recommend hand signals along with your verbal commands when training her. Best wishes to you and your adorable new family member Harley!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
What are the odds that a white blue eyed cat is deaf?
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! No! Not all white blue eyed cats are deaf. It all depends on genes and which is expressed in the kitten. It's hard to give you the odds because it depends on if one or both parents are deaf (fully or partially) but it seems to range from 52-96% are partially or fully deaf depending on what study you read. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
After my husband took our dog out to the ranch today, my dog seems to have gone deaf. My husband was shooting a .357 and had the dog next to him while doing so. The dog is not responding to any commands but otherwise seems to be fine. I am hoping it’
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Bandit. It could be sitting next to your husband while he was shooting has affected his hearing. I would monitor him tonight, and if he's still this way in the morning, have him seen by a vet. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I bought a puppy from a breeder about three months ago and after about a week I noticed he couldn’t hear anything. The breeder then told me he had a bump on his head that he was taking antibiotics for before I got him. He’s now 6 months old and he is
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. It certainly is possible that head trauma lead to the hearing loss and stunted growth or it is coincidental. If there was enough trauma to the part of the pituitary gland that is responsible for releasing growth hormone (GH), hypopituitarism could develop. Unfortunately, this is impossible to tell for certain though.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My puppy is 5 weeks old(37 days).But he is not reacting to any sounds for example if I call him or if I make any sounds to divert his attention towards me or if I make toy sounds.Is he deaf?Or is he neglecting?or he is not able to identify??
HI, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Snow is very very cute!! 5 weeks is very young. In the US we do not recommend puppies be removed from their mothers that young. Snow is to young to learn commands and come when called. I promise you with time and as he grows he will learn his name and come. Just practice a few times per day for only a few minutes. Puppies tire easily. It is very common at 5 weeks to appear deaf and like they can't see. It is just immaturity! I hope this helps and have fun with your new puppy!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog chased a lit mortuer fire work and it blew a hole through her ear and she no longer can hear...
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This sounds like severe trauma and warrants a visit to your local emergency veterinary clinic as soon as possible so that they can see the extent of the injury and proceed with therapy. Hoping for a speedy recovery!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Vivi was born deaf. And I came across some articles saying that hearing aids for dogs exist. Now, where I'm from, there are no diagnostic tests etc for hearing (for animals), let alone assisstive devices. (I'm from India). So I wanted to know if hear
There are hearing aids for dogs, but they are rarely used. This is likely because dogs do just fine deaf, and can learn sign language to follow commands. You can ask around your area to see if there are vets who may use hearing aids. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is almost 13 years old. I think she might be going deaf. I have not noticed an ear infection as I have a basset hound as well and know to check their ears. How can I tell? And do I need to take her to the vet? is it normal? If she's
Hi and thanks for posting on Boop by Petco! It is not abnormal for there to be some hearing loss in older pets. Hearing loss can happen as an age related change much the same way it happens in people as they age. Not responding to her name when called or not responding to other auditory cues (bag of treats or can of food being opened in another room) or commands (sit, stay, come), can be signs that she has some hearing deficits. There are a few other causes of hearing loss in pets such as chronic ear infections or a perforated ear drum. I would make sure Tazo is checked out with her veterinarian as well to make sure nothing else is going on that may be causing the hearing loss. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a Rottweiler female and she is deaf she can't hear our voice are the puppies also deaf of my Rottweiler
It could be possible that Liza's puppies are deaf as it can be congenital, but keep in mind that puppies are born deaf and won't developing some hearing until at least 2-3 weeks of age. You will not know if they are deaf until they are older.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has gradually become deaf over the last 3 months or so. He's to the point he appears totally deaf. He is a 3 year old Labrador, he is a rescue and has had multipme ear infections with the use of gentamycin. He currently has an ear infection
Hello. Yes, it is most likely that the gentamicin has induced the deafness in your dog. Most times this is reversible, but in some cases the deafness is permanent. I would not use any more gentamycin. Most ear infections are due to underlying allergies, so the first thing to do is have a culture done to see if antibiotics are even warranted ( may have to wait at least several days after stopping medications to obtain the culture ). I would also start a low dose with a decreasing dosage of steroids to decrease inflammation in the ears & start an anti-allergy medication such as Apoquel or Cytopoint to see if the ears can be kept at least more comfortable without the use of topical ear medications. Hopefully, some hearing may return, but it certainly will not as long as the gentamycin is being used. Good luck & thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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