When a cat is dying, it can engage in certain behaviors that let you know if it's almost time. He may refuse to eat or drink, be low on energy, and lose weight. Many felines instinctively try to be on their own during their final days. By recognizing the signs of impending death, you will be able to assist your cat in the best possible way and accompany him in the final phase of his life.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Pay Attention to the Signs
Step 1. Feel the heartbeat
A low heart rate indicates progressive weakness or the fact that it may be close to death. The heart rate of a healthy cat ranges between 140 and 220 beats per minute (bpm). That of a very sick or weak cat is lower than normal and therefore indicates that the animal may be dying. Here's how to measure a cat's heart rate:
- Place your hand on the animal's left side, just behind the front leg.
- Use a stopwatch or smartphone to count the number of beats you feel in 15 seconds.
- Multiply this number by four to get your beats per minute. Determine if your heart rate is regular or below normal levels.
- Blood pressure also drops when the cat is very weak, but it cannot be measured without the use of special equipment.
Step 2. Check your cat's breathing
A healthy cat breathes 20 to 30 times per minute. If the heart weakens, the lungs function less effectively and, therefore, pump less oxygen into the blood. This phenomenon accelerates breathing because the cat has difficulty in oxygenating and, in addition, since the lungs fill with liquid, it presents a slow and labored breathing. Check your cat's breathing as follows:
- Sit next to him and listen silently to his breathing. Watch your abdomen swell and empty with each breath.
- Use a stopwatch or smartphone to count how many breaths you take in 60 seconds.
- If he is breathing very quickly and heavily or if he seems to be taking a few breaths, he may be dying.
Step 3. Measure the cat's temperature
The temperature of a healthy cat fluctuates between 37, 5 and 30 degrees Celsius, while it is lower when it is about to die. In fact, the moment the heart weakens, it begins to drop below 37.5 ° C. Check your cat's temperature in the following ways:
- Use a thermometer. If you have a thermometer to take the temperature of animals, put it in your ear. If not, a digital rectal thermometer can be used with pets. Turn it on, insert it lightly into the cat's rectum and wait for the beep before reading the temperature.
- If you have a thermometer, feel the paws. If they are cold to the touch, it could indicate that the heart rate is slowing down.
Step 4. Check how often you eat and drink
It is very common for cats to stop eating and drinking when they are dying. Notice if you empty the food bowl and the water bowl. The cat may also show physical signs of anorexia, including a wasted appearance, loose skin, and sunken eyes.
- Also check your feces. A cat that eats and drinks less has a lower production of feces and excretes darker urine.
- When he weakens, he may have little or no control of his urinary tract muscles and bowel movements, so it is possible for him to evacuate around the house.
Step 5. Check if it smells different
When the cat's organs start to fail, toxins build up in the body that cause bad odor. If your cat is close to death, since they have no way of eliminating toxins, their breath and body may give off a foul odor that gradually worsens over time.
Step 6. See if he prefers to isolate himself
By nature, a near-end cat understands that they are more vulnerable to predators, so look for a place where they can die in peace. In such conditions, it may instinctively hide in an unfrequented room, under furniture or somewhere outside.
Step 7. Take the cat to the vet
If you notice that he is in pain, take him to the vet right away. Many of the typical signs of impending death can also be symptoms of serious illness, which are treatable with proper treatment. Do not assume that, as the cat exhibits these signs, it will surely die. There may still be hope.
- For example, chronic kidney disease is common among older cats. The symptoms are very similar to those of an impending death. With proper intervention, however, a cat suffering from this disease can live for many years.
- Cancer, lower urinary tract diseases, and tapeworms are other examples of potentially treatable conditions that have symptoms similar to those experienced by a dying feline.
Part 2 of 3: Prepare a Convenient and Comfortable Environment for Your Cat
Step 1. Consult your veterinarian for the administration of end-of-life care
Once you have determined that medical intervention will not significantly prolong your cat's life, you may want to talk to your vet about how to make his final days more dignified. Depending on the symptoms, the vet may prescribe pain medication, equipment to help him eat and drink or bandages and ointments to treat wounds.
- Many owners turn to home vets and veterinary medical guards to alleviate the passing away of their four-legged friends. These solutions offer round-the-clock care and give the near-death felines the opportunity to live in a healthy and comfortable environment for as long as possible.
- If you are unsure about giving a certain treatment, you could make several vet appointments and make sure your cat gets the care it needs.
Step 2. Get him a soft, warm bed
Sometimes the best thing to do with a cat who is at the end of his days is to give him a warm and welcoming place where he can rest. He will probably have gotten to the point of not being able to move much, so he will spend most of the time in his bed. You can make the sleeping place more comfortable by adding more soft blankets.
- Make sure the resting place is clean. Wash your blankets every couple of days with warm water. Do not use highly perfumed detergents, as they may be irritating.
- If your cat suffers from incontinence, line the kennel with a few towels to change every time she urinates.
Step 3. Help him do his business comfortably
In some cases, cats find it difficult to go to the litter box normally. If yours is too weak to get up, you may need to carry it up to the litter box several times a day. Talk to your vet to find some solutions to help him evacuate more comfortably.
Step 4. Check your cat's suffering
He may be in a lot of pain, even if he doesn't cry or flinch when you touch him. Cats show pain less clearly, but if you look closely, you should be able to tell when they are having a hard time. Look for the following symptoms:
- His behavior is more impulsive than usual
- Panting or struggling to breathe
- Show reluctance to move
- Eat or drink even less than usual
Step 5. Decide if euthanasia is appropriate
It is never easy to choose euthanasia when your pet is about to die. Many people prefer it to go off naturally at home. However, if you see that he is in terrible pain, you may consider euthanasia as a more humane choice. Call your vet to help you decide when the time is right.
- Keep a journal on the severity of pain your cat is experiencing. When the "bad days" are more numerous than the "good" ones - that is, those in which he can get up and move or breathe easily - it may be a good idea to consult your vet about the possibility of ending his suffering.
- If you choose euthanasia, the vet will give him a sedative, followed by a drug that causes him to go off peacefully. The process is painless and takes 10-20 seconds. You can choose to be in the clinic next to your cat or wait outside.
Part 3 of 3: Taking care of the body
Step 1. Take care of your cat's remains
If he dies at home, it is important to keep the body in a cool place until you are able to proceed to cremation or burial. In this way, it will not deteriorate or become a danger to the health of the family. Wrap it in a plastic tarp (even a bag) and store it in a cool place, such as a freezer or a cold concrete floor. If you have euthanized, your vet will properly store the body.
Step 2. Decide between cremation and burial
If you want to have your cat cremated, talk to your vet about solutions in your area. If you'd rather bury him, look for an animal cemetery where you can bury his body.
- In some countries around the world it is allowed to bury pets on your property, while in others it is prohibited. Before deciding where to bury your cat, consult the pet burial rules.
- It is forbidden to bury cats in parks or public land.
Step 3. Consider psychological counseling to manage the pain caused by your cat's death
The death of a pet can be extremely difficult. It is normal to feel a deep sense of sadness once it is gone. Make an appointment with a bereavement support specialist who is knowledgeable in helping people who have lost pets. Your vet can recommend a qualified consultant to you.
