Just like their vision, a newborn’s hearing isn't functional right away. Puppies and kittens are born with their ear canals completely closed. This is a clever bit of biology that protects the inner ear - which is incredibly fragile at this stage - from loud noises and potential infections. For the first few days of life, these little ones live in total silence, sensing only the vibrations of the world around them.
From a veterinary point of view, this postnatal development is a high-precision process. The auditory system is still busy "wiring" itself up while the brain learns how to eventually process sound. It is vital to keep the litter in a calm, quiet environment during this time; sudden or loud noises can stress the mother and disrupt the deep sleep the babies need to grow.
When do puppies and kittens start to hear?
The big shift into the world of sound usually happens around 14 days. This is when the ear canals finally begin to open. Between the second and third week, puppies and kittens will start to pick up ambient noises and, most importantly, the sounds of their mother and siblings.
This is a huge milestone for their socialisation. You’ll notice the little ones starting to jump or turn their heads toward a noise for the first time. However, keep in mind that while their hearing "switches on" around day 14, it doesn't become fully sharp and mature until they are about five weeks old.
If a puppy or kitten doesn’t seem to react to any sound at all (like a finger snap or a call) by the three-week mark, it’s worth booking a veterinary check-up to rule out any concerns regarding congenital deafness.
