Signs a cat is dying are probably one of the most difficult signs that one feline owner needs to go through. Saying the final goodbye to your family member is not easy.

Moreover, there is no ‘aid’ that makes the pain easier. But, by monitoring your cat’s behavior you can notice signs of a dying cat. With that knowledge, you can be prepared for the last goodbye and you can make your cat’s lasting moments more comfortable.

Signs A Cat Is Dying

When you get a pet you probably don’t think about the difficult parts. You only see the joy, the cuddling moments, and all those amazing moments that you too gonna spend together. Therefore, you probably don’t stress about things that won’t happen any time soon. That’s the main reason why you don’t think about the fact that you will – as a pet owner, likely outlive your pet.

Indoor pets can live between 12-20 years on average, and occasionally even longer. Therefore, it doesn’t come as a surprise that people attach to them so much.

During that period you care about them, protect them and love them. Just occasionally there is a moment when knowing the signs of a certain condition can help you ease your felines life, and knowing the signs of a dying cat can help you with that. So, what are the signs of a dying cat?

1. Loss Of Appetite

For all animals, illness often culminates in a strong lack of interest in water or food. This is mostly because the animal’s body knows when it needs to take work in order to process any drink or food.

Sometimes, a cat is simply too sick or even tired to expend the additional energy. Dehydration can be often seen in cat’s last days.

2. Severe Weakness

Extreme weakness is the second most serious sign that your cat is ill. Cats are extremely good when it comes to hiding symptoms of being sick. However, if you notice severe weakness in your cat the chances are that her body is becoming too weak to fight off whatever it makes her sick.

Furthermore, you can notice additional weakness in your cat’s hind legs. Also, you may notice her sleeping for a more longer period of time than general.

3. Lower Body Temperature

Normal body temperature is a sign that everything works fine, both in humans and pets. However, even the slightest change in cat’s temperature is a clear sign of an underlying health problem.

On the other hand, extremely lower body temperature is a sign that your feline is coming closer to her final days. So, body temperature doesn’t drop until the cat’s final days.

As death nears, cat’s body temperature will be lower, especially her ears and paws. Ears and paws will become cooler, sometimes under 100 degrees.

4. Frequent Hiding

Cat’s are known for liking to hide and spend hours in peaceful corners of the home, where no one will find them. In addition, cat’s are prone to immense hiding when they are gravely ill.

This is a common practice for animals with hunting instincts. They instinctively know that in the wild, a sick animal is more likely to be a target. It is likely that they are protecting themselves by doing so.

So, when your felines feel sick, she is scared and she will be around the house finding the quietest place to stay and be quiet.

5. Appearance Changes

Cat’s are known for being extremely clean animals. That’s the main reason why they are known as animals with a self-maintaining side. They spend so much time and energy in grooming and bathing when they are healthy, so it makes sense that once they reach that maturity level, she is not capable of grooming her self properly due to the weakness in her body.

She might look messy, and she might even develop a detectable odor. The odor is usually due to toxins building up in the body as a strong result, or evidence, of illness.

6. Strange Social Behavior

All cats are different. Unfortunately, even when they are dying. Although some cats can develop a strong urge to hide, others go super-clingy. So, they become clingy to their animal’s companions and more affectionate toward humans than, humans.

On the other side, some cats can completely withdraw socially during their final moments.

Caring For A Dying Cat

In most cases, cats pass away without anyone noticing that they have been gone for some time. They just use the first opportunity to jump through the door, find a quiet and cool place outside and just wait to die. It’s just their way of leaving this world.

But, regardless of the final outcome, there are some things that you can do to make the most of the final moments with your cat. When you are faced with any of a cat-dying-signs you will first step should be to contact your veterinarian immediately.

Your veterinarian is the only person that’s truly capable of diagnosing real health stage of your cat and inform you on further steps.

In addition, a veterinarian can help you with proper guidance when it comes to the best care for your feline. Make sure that your feline feels comfortable and safe. You may need to help your cat with feeding, drinking or even defecation.

Also, if you have access to a large animal cage, place the cat in it together with a soft bed, water, and a litter box. If you don’t have a cage nearby, you can use a silent room, with closed curtains. Make sure that you leave food, water, and a litter box nearby.

Of course, it is imperative that you offer your cat as much care and love as possible.

Make Every Second Count

It is rather scary how fast your feline goes from being a kitten to becoming an adult cat. Time flies and they grow so fast. Therefore, make sure that every second that you spend with your feline, counts.

It is never easy to say goodbye to your lovable pet. But being able to recognize that your cat is dying, might, just might can be a blessing in disguise. By recognizing the symptoms you will be able to provide your pet some measure of comfort in her final days and hours.

Make sure that you pet your feline a lot, telling her how much you love her, gently stroke her to comfort her, and just be there for her. Until her final second.

Making The Decision To Euthanize A Dying Cat

The decision to euthanize your cat is never an easy one. Euthanizing means to end the life of an animal in a peaceful and human way, in order to put an end to the sufferance the animal may go through, due to an illness or accident.

However, if your feline is dying from a natural cause, euthanasia seems like the next logical step. But, easier said than done. The biggest reason why so many pet owners decide to go through with this step is that they don’t want to see their feline suffering.

Basically, when cat’s suffering becomes extreme it is usually the moment when pet owners decide to make the call and schedule euthanization.

But again, how to know the time has really come? The best way to be sure is to track the felines condition and make notes. Keep a diary of your cat’s level of pain and suffering. Simply said, when the ‘bad days’ exceed the ‘good days’ – basically, the days when your cat can get up and move around or breathe easily – it might be a good time to talk with your veterinarian about ending your pet’s pain.

If you choose euthanasia the vet will conduct a sedative followed by a proper medication that will cause your feline to pass away quietly. This process is painless and takes between 10 and 20 seconds. In most cases, you can choose to stay in the room with your pet or wait outside.

Lately, people are going for at-home-euthanasia option. But, for this scenario, you should talk to your vet and see what are your options.

What To Do When A Cat Dies?

Regardless of your plans and veterinarian schedules its possible that your cat dies at home, at the most non-planning hour. When, and if, it happens you need to be ready to know what to do with the body.

So, if your cat dies at home, the most important thing is to store the body in a cool place until you are able to proceed with burial plans or cremation. This way you will save the body from becoming a hazard to your family’s health.

Wrap the cat carefully in plastic – you can use a plastic bag – and store the body in a cool place. On the other hand, if your cat is euthanized, the veterinarian will properly store the body for you.

Signs A Cat Is Dying – Key Takeaways

Cats go extremely fast from being kittens to becoming adult cats. In general, they can live between 10-19 years, in case they die to form an old age. However, many cats can leave this world at an early age due to various health problems.

It is an unfortunate fact of life that it ends with death. Moreover, it is heartbreaking to watch a dear friend reach the of her days. It’s possible that some cats die even in their sleep, or during one of their outdoor adventures, so they can easily scare and get a heart attack.

But, in cats that are dying from natural cause, some signs might be seen. What cats do when they are dying can vary, but in general, they all got through the same or similar factors. Therefore, it is important to monitor your cat’s behavior, Make sure that you contact your veterinarian when necessary and undertake advice steps.

Make sure that you give your cat whats need the most in her final days – your full attention and love. Your purr-fect feline deserves nothing less.