Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if your cat is simply asleep or if it's dead; he might be curled up on himself or stretched out, he might look like he was in the middle of a nap and instead just died peacefully. How can you go about understanding it? There are several signs that help you determine this, for example you can check breathing, feel the heartbeat and observe his eyes. As upsetting as it can be to have to check these parameters, recognizing them can be helpful in ensuring that he is indeed dead and consequently start preparing to bury or cremate him.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Check the vital signs
Step 1. Call him
Say his name in the same tone you call him when you give him food. A sleeping cat is often able to hear you and, consequently, wake up; after all, how could he miss the chance of a nice meal? If the cat is dead or very sick, it will probably not answer your call.
This method does not work if you are deaf or if you have hearing problems; in this case, you can try to put the food near his nose so that he can smell it. Otherwise, use the usual method to warn him that it's time to eat
Step 2. Check your breathing
Does his chest rise and fall regularly? Can you see her abdomen moving? Put a mirror near his nose; if it tarnishes, it means that the cat is breathing. If you don't notice any signs of fogging, the cat is unlikely to be breathing.
Step 3. Observe the eyes to see if they are open
After death, the cat keeps them open because muscle control is needed to close the eyelids; furthermore, when he is dead, his pupils appear larger than usual.
- Gently touch their eyeballs, but be sure to put on a pair of disposable gloves first. If the cat is alive, it should wink at your touch; Also keep in mind that if it is dead, the bulbs should be soft and not firm.
- Pay attention if the pupils are dilated and fixed; if the cat is dead, they should be large and unresponsive to light. Point a bright light at his eyes briefly to check the reaction of the brain; if the pupils respond, the cat is not conscious, but it is not dead.
Step 4. Check the femoral artery
You can check the heart rate by placing two fingers on this artery, which is located on the inside of the thigh, near the groin. You should feel a natural hollow created by the thigh muscles, right in the central area of the paw along the bone; apply some pressure on this area and wait 15 seconds. If the cat is alive, you should feel the pulse.
- Use a wall or wrist clock with the second hand to count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply the result by 4; this way you get the total beats in one minute.
- A normal, healthy heart rate for a cat should be between 140 and 220 beats per minute.
- Repeat the check by placing your two fingers in different places each time in the inner thigh area; sometimes, it can be difficult to find the pulse.
Step 5. Pay attention to rigor mortis
This is the stiffening of the body that occurs about three hours after death. Put on some gloves and lift the cat to feel its body; if it is very stiff, it is quite likely that it is dead.
Step 6. Check his mouth
If the heart has stopped beating, the tongue and gums are very pale and do not have the usual pink color. When you try to gently squeeze his gums, you may not notice the capillary filling; this is a typical sign that the animal has died or is about to die.
Method 2 of 3: Next Steps to His Death
Step 1. Call the vet
Once you have determined that the cat is dead, you must contact the doctor, who can confirm the death and probably also define the cause. If you have other cats in the house, knowing the reason for death can help you avoid the risk of spreading a contagious disease or other disease that has affected the dead cat.
Step 2. Bury him
Once death is ascertained, you can choose to bury the animal. Evaluate the place where you want him to rest forever. Do you want to keep it in the garden of your home? Or take him to an animal cemetery? You have to decide how to proceed, as there are several health regulations that prohibit some practices; for example, you cannot bury him in public areas or in areas that are not your property. Once you have found the right place, put on some gloves, take a shovel and choose a container for the cat's body; celebrates a short ceremony in his memory.
You can also get a large stone or gravestone to indicate the burial site
Step 3. Ask the vet to take care of the cremation
It is not always possible to bury the cat; in this case you have to rely on the veterinarian who organizes the cremation. Later, you can put the ashes in an urn or container, keep them indoors or sprinkle them outdoors (in the latter case, find out about the laws in force, as it is not always allowed).
Step 4. Allow yourself to grieve
Coping with the loss of your cat is a very painful experience. Remember that suffering is completely normal and healthy and that everyone goes through this phase at their own pace. In the meantime, don't feel guilty about the cat's death, remind yourself that he felt loved and led a happy life; lean on others when you need support and pay attention to any signs of depression.
Method 3 of 3: Helping the Sick or Dying Cat
Step 1. Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation
If your cat has stopped breathing and / or the heart is no longer beating, you can perform this resuscitation maneuver that involves artificial respiration, chest compressions, and abdominal compressions.
- If you are successful, you are able to revive him, but you still need to take him to the vet right away; whatever caused him to stop breathing may come back. However, be aware that CPR may cause injury.
- While you are performing resuscitation, someone should call the vet for advice or tell them that you are about to bring the animal to them.
- Do not proceed with chest compressions if the cat still has a pulse.
Step 2. Take him to the vet
If you think your cat is ill or dying, take him to the doctor immediately if possible; this way you are not forced to resuscitate yourself and ensure your feline friend the best possible care.
Step 3. Keep it warm
Wrap the sick cat in warm blankets, T-shirts, or towels. you should put these fabrics in a box or carrier for the animal to lie down in, so that it is surrounded by heat. If it is a puppy, it is very important to regulate its body temperature to keep it alive.
