Did You Know??

June 16, 2026

All About Cat Ears

Candilee Jackson

Introduction

With their unmistakable triangular shape, “a cat’s ears are one of their most iconic features, side by side with their whiskers.”³ Coming in a variety of sizes and shapes (including folded forward as in the Scottish Fold, or folded back as in the American Curl), the ears are usually the first thing human hands love to scratch and rub in affection. Besides a cat’s whiskers, these little flaps are among the most quintessential when defining the feline anatomy. Cats have a “surround sound” hearing system; they can hear frequencies as high as 64,000 Hz, far beyond human hearing.⁵

“Among domestic animals, cats have one of the best hearing systems. Their hearing range is much higher than a dog’s, for instance, catching higher and lower frequencies. Not only that, but they can also detect small differences in sound! Through their super hearing powers, they can easily locate sounds and tell apart different species and noises.”³

Fun Facts⁵

• Cats have thirty-five muscles in each ear, allowing for a wide range of movement. (Humans have only six!)
• Their ears can rotate 180 degrees, helping them pinpoint sounds.
• The shape of a cat’s ear helps funnel sound waves directly to the ear canal.
• Cats use their ears to communicate; forward ears indicate curiosity, while flattened ears signal aggression or fear.
• Kittens are born with closed ears, which open around two weeks of age.

A Balancing Act

While most people know that a falling cat will likely land on their feet, this ability stems from their ears. “Inside their inner ear, we can find three separate canals, filled with fluid. The brain receives a signal every time the fluid shifts, so it can determine the cat’s movement direction.”³ The vestibule inside the ear is the medium through which a cat’s movement is detected, and informs the brain of the cat’s bodily orientation, such as when they are facing up, upside down, or on which side of their body they are laying, etc.³

Watch Out for Hot Ears

Hot ears on a cat are signs of fright, anxiety, and/or distress. These feelings increase a feline’s adrenaline levels, thereby enhancing energy. “This excessive energy is then turned into heat that is released through different body parts … including their ears.”³ Surprisingly, research indicates that rising ear temperature as a response to emotional stress only occurs on the RIGHT ear!³

Fluffy Ears

Just about everyone adores fluffy ears, hair curls, and the little tuffs on the ear’s apex, but these hairs serve a purpose beyond being cute. “These hairs have a double function of protection and hearing enhancement! On one side, they trap dust and dirt before they can get into the ear canal, much like our own nose hairs. On another, they help catch sound waves and lead them directly into the inner ear.”³

White Cats and Deafness

While blue-eyed white cats are commonly thought to be deaf, it is true that all-white cats are at higher risk for deafness than cats of other colors. However, “it’s NOT true that every single white cat is deaf.”⁴

“Researchers found that only seventeen to twenty-two percent of white cats with non-blue eyes are born deaf. The percentage rises to forty percent if the cat has one blue eye, while upwards of sixty-five to eighty-five percent of all-white cats with both eyes blue are deaf. Some of these cats are deaf in only one ear. Interestingly, if a white cat with one blue eye is deaf in only one ear, that ear will invariably be on the same side of the head as the blue eye.”⁴

Deaf Cats CAN Thrive

Seemingly at a disadvantage, deaf white cats are incredibly adaptive animals.¹ These special felines will rely on their other senses to enable them to live in their quiet environment. The senses of sight and smell are enhanced to help them communicate with humans and navigate their environment. Whiskers are used “to detect vibrations in their surroundings, helping them hear in a different way.”¹

The importance of safeguarding a deaf cat falls on its human owner. Deaf cats should be kept indoors so they are safe from predators or oncoming traffic that they cannot hear.

 The Dos and Don’ts of Communicating with a Deaf Cat

Don’ts:

• Never approach a deaf cat from the back, or out of its sightlines
• Never surprise a deaf cat with another animal or a new person

Dos:

• Use vibrations a cat can FEEL, such as moving something near a sleeping cat
• Use sound-making vibrations to communicate, such as clapping hands, snapping fingers, or anything that will cause a vibration.
• Use visible cues for training. Certain American Sign Language movements can be taught, such as the command for “up”, “sit,” and “stay.”

References

1. Copson, Kit. 2025. “Are All White Cats Deaf? Vet-Reviewed Facts and FAQ.” The Vet Desk. October 20. Accessed March 26, 2026. https://thevetdesk.com/pet-health-wellness/cats/are-all-white-cats-deaf/.
2. 2025. “Fascinating Facts About Cat Ears and Their Incredible Abilities.” Dial-A-Vet; Cat Health. July 07. Accessed March 26, 2026. https://dialavet.com/blog/fascinating-facts-about-cat-ears.
3. 2025. “Ten Surprising Facts About Your Cat’s Ears.” The Maven. September 11. Accessed March 2026. https://maven.pet/all-about-pets/fun/cats-ears.
4. White, Elizabeth. n.d. “Ask Elizabeth: White Cats and Blindness/Deafness.” Cornell Veterinary School, Cornell University. Accessed March 26, 2026. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/ask-elizabeth-white-cats-and-blindnessdeafness.
5. Jackson, Candilee. Stuff I know!