Saying goodbye to a beloved cat is one of the hardest things a pet parent can face. Cats bring us joy, bond with us over time, and help create fond memories. As they near the end of their lives, it becomes heartbreaking to watch. All you can do for them during their last days is to provide love and care so that they can be at peace. Recognizing cat end of life signs can help you do this.
In this blog, we discuss 13 signs your cat is dying. We also discuss the different stages of a cat's death, how to cope with the grief, and more. Reading through to the end will help you prepare for when the time comes to say goodbye to your beloved pet.
Here are the signs a cat may be dying and how you can help.
Understanding 13 Cat End of Life Signs
When a cat is nearing the end of its life, there will be changes and symptoms. Recognizing these common signs early on will help you prepare for the time to say goodbye to your feline friend.
The following are 13 common signs that your cat is nearing the end of its life, categorized as behavioral, physical, and other symptoms:
Behavioral Changes
If you start noticing changes in your pet's behavior, it may be a sign that your cat is dying. They might start isolating themselves or become less active.
These behavioral changes as cats approach their final days include:
Hiding or seeking solitude in unusual places.
Changes in vocalization (e.g., yowling, meowing excessively, or silence).
Increased clinginess or irritability.
Cognitive dysfunction (e.g., disorientation, confusion, or nighttime wandering).
Reduced interest in activities or favorite routines.
Physical Symptoms
Several physical symptoms can be signs that a cat is sick and nearing its final breath. For example, cats stop eating, show a loss of appetite, or develop breathing and health problems.
The physical symptoms may include:
Noticeable weight loss.
Lack of appetite and interest in food and water.
Vomiting, diarrhea, or incontinence.
Labored or irregular breathing patterns.
Sunken eyes, pale gums, or cold body temperatures.
Signs of Pain and Discomfort
Your cat may show signs of pain and discomfort as its body starts to shut down. They might have problems moving or might cry all the time or stop vocalizing altogether. As a cat approaches the end of its life expectancy, you will notice something is wrong with their health.
Some common signs that show a cat is suffering are:
Hunched posture, limping, or stiffness.
Persistent crying, restlessness, or resistance to touch.
Avoidance of grooming or a messy, unkempt coat.
Knowing all these signs can help you realize the time is right to talk to your vet.
Stages of a Cat’s Death
As a cat reaches its final moments, it goes through three stages of death. These dying stages are categorized as early, mid, and final. You can read about them in more detail below:
Early Stage
During this stage, your cat may take less interest in eating and changes in drinking water (more or less). It will have less energy and show irregular sleeping patterns. It will also show behavioral changes, such as hiding away in isolated places.
Early stage signs that your cat may be dying include:
Reduced appetite and energy.
Hiding away in corners.
Fewer interactions.
Changes in grooming habits or sleeping patterns.
Mid Stage
In this stage, a dying cat will show worsening health conditions. Signs like difficulties in moving and increased lethargy will help you know if your cat is going through the mid-stage.
Common signs at the mid-stage are:
Significant physical decline, including difficulty walking or climbing.
Increased lethargy and withdrawal from surroundings.
Final Stage
During the final stage, your cat will become largely unresponsive. It will find difficulties in breathing and show slower bodily functions as the body starts shutting down.
The final stage signs that show a cat approaching the end of life include:
Unresponsiveness or lack of alertness.
Shallow breathing, gasping, or death rattle.
Gradual shutdown of bodily functions (e.g., loss of bladder control, cold extremities).
How to Comfort a Dying Cat
When your cat reaches the end of its life, all you can do is ensure it is comfortable. Shower it with love and attention. This will help your cat take comfort knowing it is surrounded by loved ones during the final moments.
Creating a Comfortable Environment
Make sure your cat is in a comfortable setting. Prepare a quiet and warm space with soft bedding. You should also keep your cat's food, water, and litter box close to its resting area. This can make their last moments easier to spend.
Practical Care
As your cat's body starts shutting down, its functions will get slower. As such, try to provide it with the care and comfort it needs at this moment. You can prepare small, soft meals or liquid diets to ensure hydration. You can also wrap your cat in comfortable blankets to maintain warmth as its body temperature goes down. Cleaning and grooming are good ways to maximize comfort as well.
Emotional Comfort
During its final hours, spend time with your cat. Stay by its side for as long as possible and talk to them. It's important to speak to them in soothing tones, as your love and affection can make them comfortable.
Veterinary Guidance and End-of-Life Care
Your veterinarian can advise you on how to ensure the palliative care that your cat needs. They are trained professionals who know how to care for cats nearing the end of their lives. They can also help you euthanize your cat if you want a humane and painless way for your cat to die.
When to Seek Veterinary Help
When you notice the first signs that your cat is having problems, seek veterinary care immediately. They can check and inform you about your cat's condition. If it is suffering extreme pain or distress at home, your vet may guide you on how to ensure proper care.
Palliative and Hospice Care
Veterinarians use the HHHHHMM Quality of Life Scale to assess a cat's well-being. This evaluates a cat's:
Hurt
Hunger
Hydration
Hygiene
Happiness
Mobility
More good days than bad
Vets follow this scale to offer options for your cat's end of life care. They can also help you manage symptoms if your cat is approaching its final days.
Euthanasia Decisions
Losing a pet is hard enough, but it is much worse to watch it suffer. As such, many cat owners opt to get their furry companions euthanized. It is a humane and painless way to end a pet's life. Vets can help you euthanize your cat. They inject a drug into your cat's body that puts it to sleep and helps it pass away comfortably. Euthanasia can ensure your cat's last breaths before passing are comfortable and peaceful, and vets can help carry out this procedure. It's never easy to make this decision, but it is often the right one, especially if your cat is sick beyond recovery.
Coping with Grief After Losing a Cat
Whether it is health- or age-related, a cat's passing can be incredibly difficult for their owners. It is natural to feel grief after your cat has passed. However, there are ways to cope with this sadness. You can try to understand and accept the grief. You can also memorialize your cat, and find support to ensure your own well-being.
Understanding Grief
Give yourself time to understand the sorrow of losing your cat. It can help you process and express feelings of sadness, guilt, and anger. Allow yourself to cry during this time, as bottling it up inside will only prolong your grief.
Memorializing Your Cat
Memorializing your cat after dying can help overcome the feelings of sadness and sorrow. You can create keepsakes like paw prints or photo albums. You can even create a memorial garden to remember your cat. Writing down your favorite memories or making a scrapbook can also help cope with the grief.
Finding Support
Make sure to support yourself during this heartbreaking moment. Talk to your family and friends who understand your loss. Having them by your side can help you overcome sadness. You can also read books on healing or connect with online pet loss support groups for professional counseling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are the Signs of Pain in a Dying Cat?
Some common signs of pain in a dying cat include poor appetite, weight loss, and lethargy. Physical symptoms such as difficulties in breathing and moving can also tell when a cat is dying.
How Can I Help My Cat Pass Peacefully?
You can ensure a warm, quiet, and peaceful resting area for your cat during its final moments. Euthanasia is often a preferred option. It involves injecting a drug into your cat's body. The drug will put your cat to sleep so that it can pass away peacefully and painlessly.
What Should I Expect During Euthanasia?
When the vet administers the drug, it will quickly cause your cat's heartbeat to slow down and stop. The blood circulation will cease, the body will shut down, and your cat will pass away peacefully in its sleep. Your cat may move slightly or show signs of vocalization, but it is normal and not a sign of distress.
How Long Does the Dying Process Take?
When vets sedate your cat, it will usually fall asleep between 5 and 20 minutes. After they administer the final injection, your cat's breathing will stop and it will pass away within 1-3 minutes.
Do Cats Know They Are Dying?
Cats are likely to be aware of dying. They understand when they are feeling ill or when something is wrong with their health. However, it is hard to know just how much they understand the concept and finality of passing away.
What Should I Do if My Cat Dies at Home?
If your cat dies at home, you can cover it with a blanket or sheet. Afterward, you can have your cat cremated or buried. After you say goodbye to your cat, give yourself time to grieve. Contact family, friends, or online support groups to cope during this difficult time.
Conclusion
Losing a cat is an incredibly challenging ordeal. It is often inevitable, and all you can do is ensure the ending is as painless and peaceful as possible. Knowing the signs of a cat's end of life can help you do this. Keep an eye out for behavioral changes like loss of appetite or increased isolation. Physical symptoms and signs of discomfort, such as irregular breathing and limping, can also point to signs a cat is dying. Try to make their final hours as comfortable as possible, and seek professional advice from vets on how to provide palliative care. At the same time, give yourself time to grieve. Create memorial keepsakes like paw prints or photo albums to remember your cat, and seek support from loved ones. It can help you overcome this difficult moment and look after yourself.
For loving and professional pet services for your dying cat, reach out to Peaceful Veterinary Care. Our team of licensed and compassionate veterinarians can help provide end of life care for your beloved cat. We can also help euthanize your cat - at home if needed - to ensure a peaceful and painless passing. No matter what stage your cat is in, we are committed to improving its life.
Visit our website for more information or call us to schedule an appointment.
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