Deaf Cat's Cute 'Wake Up Noises' Are Melting Hearts Left and Right

Deaf cats are the cutest. They can't hear you, and they can't hear themselves, which leads to some very sweet little moments. Their little meows and desperate attempts to get your attention are just too good to pass up.

Exhibit A: this video from Saturday, September 21st. When this black cat woke up, he wanted everyone to know, so he tried his best to alert everyone. Lucky for him, it worked:

For a long time, the focus of this account was @iamgooseontheloose, a self-described "barn cat turned domestic king." At this point, though, Otter is kind of taking it over!

Related: Cat's Sweet Reaction to Mom Playing the Piano Is Just Beautiful

Otter is a rescue that his mom adopted back in August. He had a couple of problems: there was something wrong with his eye, he was underweight, and he was a little scruffy. They're not sure if he was born deaf or if something happened to him, but he's definitely deaf.

Since coming home, Otter has settled in perfectly with Goose. Goose whines a lot, so it's a perfect fit! If you can't get enough of Otter's wake-up noises, there are several other videos of him doing it. Goose isn't known for his wake-up noises, but he goes viral sometimes as well (usually on account of his Profoundly Orange Behavior).

How to Tell if Your Cat Is Deaf

Trying to figure out if your cat is deaf sounds like an easy job, but in reality, it's harder than it looks. A cat may be deaf, but they also may be hearing impaired - deafness is a spectrum, and figuring out where your cat falls is important to keeping them comfortable.

Deafness is sometimes followed by other signs, like dizziness or a constant shaking of the head. Deaf cats may have balance issues or problems controlling their volume.

To test their hearing when you notice these signs, you should:

1. Try calling their names and opening up a bag of their favorite treats or food from the next room over. If they come, they're likely not experiencing any hearing loss.
2. If they don't come, try doing it in the same room with your back to them so they can't see.
3. If they still don't come, try calling their name, snapping, clapping, and making other loud noises. Cats startle easily.

Once you believe you have enough evidence that they might be deaf or at least hard of hearing, it's best to set up a vet appointment right away for confirmation especially if they're having some other issues. While there's no cure for it, confirmation is the first step toward making whatever accommodations you can to make your deaf kitty more comfortable!