Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Making your cat's environment comfortable
• Part 2 of 4: Feeding your cat
• Part 3 of 4: Keeping track of medical requirements
• Part 4 of 4: Preparing for your cat's death
• Tips
• Warnings

When your cat is dying, the idea of ​​losing it can be difficult for you. You can make the most of the time you have left together by making him feel as comfortable as possible. Rather than feeling sad about something that is inevitable, use the time to bond with your cat even more and remember how special your cat is to you.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Making your cat's environment comfortable

1. Minimize noise and activity in your cat's environment. When your cat is nearing the end of its life, it is very important that it feels comfortable around its environment. He needs a calm, quiet environment without noisy activities and chaos. For example, if you have other pets, you may need to restrict their access to your cat.
   • Consider moving your cat's resting area to an area of ​​the house that is not very active and noisy.
   • If moving your cat's resting area to another room is too much of a change for him, you should adjust your habits and those of the family to reduce the amount of activity and noise for the cat.
   • Let your cat choose where to sleep. He may already choose a place of his own that offers him the peace and quiet he needs.
   • Playing soft music can help your cat feel more comfortable. Examples of soothing music are singing birds and running water.
   • The hassle of everyday life can be too much for your cat in its last days. It can actually worsen disease or overall health.
2. Provide your cat with an extra soft bed. If your cat is dying, it may not lie as easily as before. Extra blankets provide your cat with some extra support to lie down on. The extra blankets can further prevent pressure sores, which can form if left in one position for too long.
   • Your cat may soil his bed with urinary tract control issues or a physical disability that prevents him from walking to the litter box. Choose extra blankets that are easy to clean, such as throws or towels.
   • A foam bed is comfortable, but can be difficult to clean.
   • Check the bed regularly for signs of soiling (moisture, faeces) and clean as often as necessary.
   • The extra blankets can also help keep your cat warm. Older cats who are about to die often have difficulty regulating their body temperature and so feel cold more quickly.
3. Adjust the lighting in your cat's environment. Adjusting the lighting can make your cat's environment more comfortable. During the day, open your curtains or blinds just enough to let in diffused, natural light. When the sun goes down you can turn on a soft light.
   • When you go to sleep, leave a small light on for your cat. He may be more comfortable with a soft light on than in complete darkness.
   • Stop by your local hardware store to learn more about lighting options for your cat.
4. Put his supplies close by. As your cat nears the end of its life, it may be difficult for it to get up and walk around. The distance he used to walk to his litter box and food and water bowl may now be too far. To minimize the discomfort of eating, drinking, and using the litter box, place these items closer to an area that is easy for your cat to reach.
   • Even if these things are close by, your cat may have a hard time reaching them. You can make a support out of a towel or blanket, or buy a support to help him get up.
   • Put his favorite toys close by.

Part 2 of 4: Feeding your cat

1. Give him good food. In the earlier years of your cat's life, you may have limited the amount of treats to maintain a healthy diet. Now that your cat is at the end of its life, you can spoil it a little more. For example, give your cat pieces of tuna or pour the liquid from the tuna over its food.
   • Meat-based baby foods, such as turkey, are also tasty foods to feed your dying cat. Just make sure the baby food does not contain onion powder, as onions are toxic to cats.
   • Gourmet cat food is also a tasty option for your cat.
   • Whatever treat you decide to give it, make sure it has a strong, appealing scent. Your cat may not have much of an appetite in his last days, but highly aromatic foods can encourage him to eat a little anyway.
2. Make the food easy to eat. Not only may your cat lose its appetite while dying, but it may also become physically unable to chew the food. You should therefore make the food easier to chew. You can soften dry food by soaking it in some water or mashing it.
   • In addition to pureeing, you can also put dry food in a blender.
   • If you are feeding your cat baby food, you can mix it with some water to make it even softer.
   • Reheating the food can make it easier and more appealing to eat.
   • Talk to your vet if you are unsure about what foods your cat can and wants to eat at the end of its life.
3. Give your cat fresh water. Your cat may not drink as much as it used to in the latter stages of life. In addition, the body's "thirst signal" may no longer work properly, so it may not realize at all that it needs to hydrate itself. Keeping your cat hydrated is essential for keeping him comfortable.
   • The water should be lukewarm and not cold.
   • If your cat is too weak or in too much pain to drink from the bowl, you will need to help it by gently supporting its head.
   • It may not open its mouth to drink on its own, so you may need to water through a pipette. While supporting his head, place the pipette next to the back teeth on the inside of the cheek. When he opens his mouth, slowly empty the pipette with water.

Part 3 of 4: Keeping track of medical requirements

1. Diagnose your cat's health problems. Your cat may be dying, but that doesn't mean that any health problems don't need to be addressed. In fact, not addressing health concerns can make your cat feel more uncomfortable and deteriorate more quickly. Make an appointment with the vet to discuss your cat's various health problems as well as what can be done about them.
   • If your cat has a terminal illness, such as cancer or chronic kidney disease, make a plan with the vet to address and minimize your cat's discomfort.
2. Minimize your cat's pain. Depending on your cat's medical situation, he may be in a lot of pain. If he is dying, do everything you can to relieve his pain. The vet can advise you on what pain medication your cat needs to relieve its pain.
   • Remember, the pain medication at this stage in your cat's life is for comfort, not physical relief.
   • Consider using a pill popper to apply the pain medication if your cat cannot open its mouth. Position the pill popper as you would the water pipette. When the mouth opens, push the pill into your cat's throat. To encourage swallowing, you can give a few drops of water with the pipette.
3. Dealing with the problems of relieving the need. Pain, illness and general weakness can make it very difficult for your cat to get to the litter box in time. If your cat is having trouble controlling its bladder, the vet may prescribe medication for incontinence.
   • Your cat may also have trouble controlling their bowel movements.
   • Check your cat regularly for signs of soiling and moisture. Gently clean your cat's genital and rectal areas to avoid chafing from urine and other skin irritation from problems with feces. Clean it with a soft cloth and warm water.
   • Disposable cat diapers are available for purchase. If your local pet store doesn't have these, you can look for them online or ask the vet which diapers he recommends for your cat.
   • Diapering your cat can be a bit uncomfortable and challenging at first, you can ask the vet about the easiest way to do it.

Part 4 of 4: Preparing for your cat's death

1. Discuss options for euthanasia with your vet. As you make the most of the time you have left with your cat, you will also need to prepare for the reality of his eventual death. This is not easy, but it is something you must do. Discussing the situation with the vet can help you accomplish this difficult task.
   • Euthanasia is a painless and humane way to end your cat's life. To perform euthanasia, the vet will overdose on narcotics. After a few seconds, your cat will pass out peacefully and eventually stop breathing.
   • Don't be embarrassed or feel guilty for considering euthanasia. Many pet owners struggle with the notion of putting their pets to sleep.
   • The vet can help you list your emotions and questions regarding euthanasia.
2. Decide when it is time for euthanasia. After talking to the vet, it is up to you to determine when the time for euthanasia comes. It can help to look for clinical signs that clearly indicate your cat is suffering: hiding, sleeping more, languishing and withdrawing from contact with people or being overly affectionate.
   • Ask yourself: am I keeping my cat alive for myself or for my cat? How you answer that question will help you decide when it is time for euthanasia.
   • If your cat is really suffering, despite your efforts to make it easy for him, it may be time to put him to sleep.
   • Come up with a plan for when the time will come. Your vet can help you make a plan to help you determine when it is time for euthanasia. It can be very helpful:
     • It will contain the veterinarian's knowledge of the progression of your pet's disease (if any) and will alert you to the symptoms that indicate pain or suffering.
     • It helps to delete discussions between family members, roommates or other joint owners.
     • It's hard to make big decisions when there are a lot of emotions involved. Having a plan drawn up in a more neutral period can help you take the emotions out of the equation.
   • Observing your cat's daily activities or keeping a written diary can also help. If you notice that he has more bad days than good days, it is probably time to consider euthanasia.
   • When you've made the difficult decision to euthanize, call the vet right away to make an appointment. Slowing down the process will only make it more difficult for you and can prolong your cat's discomfort.
   • Some vets can perform the euthanasia at the owner's home. Ask the vet if he can do this. If not, schedule the euthanasia when the veterinary practice is quiet - usually in the early morning or late evening.
3. Plan what to do with your cat's body. As if the decision to euthanasia wasn't difficult enough, you also have to think about what you are going to do with his body. You have the option to bury him in an animal graveyard, but you can also have him cremated. Don't feel pressured into making a decision - decide what you want most.
   • Your vet can provide information about cremation or burial for your pet.

Tips

• While it can be difficult to think about your cat's death, try to focus on making your cat as happy and comfortable as possible. Focusing on the positive can help give your cat the comfort it needs.
• Keeping your cat comfortable during its final days is also referred to as pet hospice. In addition, you see your cat's death as a natural part of its life and you want its death to be worthy.
• Your dying cat will appreciate the comfort of interacting with humans. Continue to spend time with him even if he can't play with you like he once did. Hold him gently to minimize his pain and discomfort.
• Since your dying cat may no longer be able to groom itself, you can help it by gently cleaning around the eyes, ears, mouth, genitals and anus. Dampen a soft cloth with warm water to clean it. You can also brush it gently with a soft brush.
• After your cat dies, give yourself time to grieve. Also, don't be afraid to reach out to family and friends who can comfort you while you mourn the loss of your cat.
• Your vet may recommend bereavement counseling services and pet loss helplines to help you process the loss.
• Remember that euthanasia is an option. While it may be difficult to let go of your cat, it may be kinder to put him to sleep if he is in a lot of pain that you cannot relieve and he is almost lifeless.

Warnings

• Depending on how sick your cat feels, he may stop eating and drinking altogether, no matter how hard you try to feed and hydrate him. Realize that the smell of food can make him very sick.
• Your cat's condition may deteriorate faster than you expect. Have the contact details of your vet and an emergency clinic handy in case the situation suddenly worsens.
• Cats can be very good at masking pain. Your dying cat may do its best to hide the fact that it is in pain.