Content

• Steps
• Advice

During the last moments of her life, the cat will show certain behaviors and you may be able to tell that the cat is dying. Your cat may refuse to eat or drink, lose energy, and lose weight. Many cats instinctively want to be left alone in their final days. Knowing the signs of a dying cat will help you give your cat the most special attention and care.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Watch for signs of a dying cat

1. 

   Feel your cat's heartbeat. A decreased heart rate is a sign that the cat is weakening and about to die. A healthy cat's heart rate is usually about 140 -220 beats / min. A cat's heart rate that is sick or very weak can be partially reduced because the cat is so close to death. Here's how to measure your cat's heart rate: Here's how to measure your cat's heart rate:
   • Place your hand on the cat's left chest, just to the right of the foreleg.
   • Use a stopwatch or smartphone to count the number of heart beats you feel in 15 seconds.
   • Multiply the number you count by 4, and you will get your cat's heartbeat in 1 minute. You need to evaluate whether this heart rate is healthy or below normal.
   • Weakened cats can also lower blood pressure. However, you need a special device to measure your cat's blood pressure.

2. 

   
   
   Check your cat's breathing. Healthy cats can breathe 20-30 times / minute. If the cat's heart is weak and the lungs are not working properly, the amount of oxygen pumped into the bloodstream will be reduced. This will cause the cat to breathe rapidly to get oxygen and lead to the result that the cat breathes hard, hard and slowly because the lungs are filled with fluid. You can track your cat's breathing by:
   • Sit close to the cat and listen to the cat breathe. Observe the number of times your abdomen rises and falls after each breath.
   • Use stopwatch or smartphone to count breaths for 60 seconds.
   • If your cat is breathing rapidly and heavily, the cat may receive less air and will be dying.

3. 

   
   
   Take your cat's body temperature. A healthy cat's body temperature is around 37.7- 39.2 degrees Celsius. The body temperature of a dying cat may be lower. A weakened heart can lower your cat's body temperature below 37.7 degrees Celsius. You can check your cat's body temperature by:
   • Use a thermometer. You can put a pet thermometer in your cat's ear. If you don't have a pet thermometer, you can use a digital rectal thermometer to measure your cat's temperature. You can insert the thermometer into the cat's rectum and take out the temperature reading after the beep.
   • If you don't have a thermometer, you can feel the cat's paws. The cat's paw that is cool to the touch is a sign of a decline in heart rate.

4. 

   
   
   Monitor your cat's eating and drinking. A dying cat often refuses to eat or drink. You can see that the plate of food and water doesn't seem to go away. Cats may also show physical signs from anorexia, such as weight loss, excess skin, and sunken eyes.
   • Check for the cat's waste. Cats that do not want to eat and drink tend to use the bathroom less often and have dark urine.
   • Because they are too weak, cats often have difficulty or no control of their urinary tract and intestines, so you may see cat's waste scattered throughout the house.

5. 

   Check for bad odors from your cat's body. When the organ starts to shut down, toxins in the body can build up and cause a bad smell in cats. A dying cat will often experience bad breath and bad breath all over the body. This can be made worse because the cat is unable to get rid of the toxin.

6. 

   Pay attention to your cat when you want to be alone. In the wild, a dying cat is usually more sensitive than other predators, and thus tends to find a final resting place. A dying cat can instinctively hide in a closed room, under an interior, or somewhere outside.

7. 

   Take the cat to the vet. If you notice signs of your cat being sick, you should take your cat to the vet immediately. Many serious and seemingly dying signs can go away with proper treatment. Be hopeful and don't jump to conclusion that your cat is dying if you see any of the above.
   • Chronic kidney failure, for example, is common in older cats. Kidney failure symptoms are often very similar to dying signs. However, if the veterinarian intervenes in time, a cat with chronic kidney failure may live for many more years.
   • Cancer, lower urinary tract diseases and tapeworms can also be cured when your cat exhibits symptoms similar to dying.
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Part 2 of 3: Helping the cat to relax

1. 

   Talk to your veterinarian about how to care for your cat later in life. If medical treatment does not help your cat live much longer, talk to your veterinarian about how to make the cat as comfortable as possible during the last days of her life. Depending on the symptoms, your veterinarian may prescribe pain relievers, provide equipment to help the cat eat and drink, or bandage the cat and dog wound.
   • Many cat owners are now going through a "end of life home nursing" regimen to help ease their cat's death. Owners usually care for cats around the clock to prolong their health and comfort for as long as possible.
   • If you are uncomfortable with a certain form of treatment, you can schedule regular vet appointments to accommodate your cat's care needs.

2. 

   Give your cat a warm bed and soft cushioning. Sometimes the best things you can do for a dying cat is to give your cat a warm and comfortable resting place. When a cat is dying, it is often difficult for a cat to move around and spend a lot of time lying in one place. You can help comfort your cat's favorite sleeping area by providing extra soft blankets for your cat.
   • Make sure your cat's bedding is clean. Every few days, you should wash the blanket once in hot water. Don't use scented laundry detergents to avoid irritating your cat.
   • If your cat is pooping uncontrollably, make sure to use a towel on the bed to make it easier to change after each pee.

3. 

   Help your cat to poop comfortably. Sometimes the cat can have trouble defecating in the litter box. If the cat is too weak and unable to get up, take the cat to the bathroom every few hours. Talk to your veterinarian about designing a cat strap to help your cat poop more comfortably.

4. 

   Monitor your cat's pain level. Your cat can experience intense pain even if it doesn't whine or flinch when you touch it. Cats tend to be in pain in silence, but careful observation can help you feel the pain your cat is going through. Look for pain signs like:
   • Cats are more elusive than usual
   • The cat is gasping or struggling
   • The cat moved reluctantly
   • Cats eat or drink less than usual

5. 

   Decide whether to be safe for your cat or not. Deciding to euthanize your cat is not easy. Instead, many cat owners want cats to die naturally at home. However, if the cat is in too much pain, euthanizing the cat is a humane option. You can call your veterinarian to help you decide when to have your euthanasia.
   • Make a note of how painful and miserable your cat is. If the number of days your cat is in pain and suffering outweighs the number of days the cat is able to get up, walk and breathe normally, talk to your vet about how to help your cat end the pain.
   • If you decide to euthanize your cat, your veterinarian may give your cat a sedative, followed by a medication to help the cat pass away in peace. The process is usually painless and only takes about 10-20 seconds. You can choose to stay with the cat or wait outside.
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Part 3 of 3: Handling after a cat dies

1. 

   Take care of the cat's body. If your cat dies at home, keep it in a cool place until you plan to cremate or bury it. This ensures that the cat's carcass is not damaged or endangers your family's health. Carefully wrap the cat in a plastic bag (or other plastic container), and then store the cat's body in a cool place like the refrigerator or cold concrete floor. Cats that die by euthanasia are often properly preserved by a veterinarian.

2. 

   Decide between cremation and burial. If you want to cremate your cat, you should consult with your veterinarian where there are cremations in your area. If you want to bury your cat, find a local pet dog cemetery where your cat will be buried.
   • Some places will allow you to bury your cat on your own while this is illegal in others. Before deciding on where to keep your cat, you should research your local laws.
   • It is illegal to bury cats in parks or other public places.

3. 

   Consider a pet's post-death reassurance service. Leaving a pet can be difficult for an owner. It is normal to experience deep sadness when a pet is gone. You can make an appointment with a counselor to help calm you down and get through this loss period. Your veterinarian can refer you to a qualified counselor. advertisement

Advice

• Be sure to consult your veterinarian when the cat shows the first signs of weakness. Medical intervention can help your cat significantly extend its lifespan.