It’s never easy to lose a pet. With cats, in particular, pet parents get extremely attached to them as they can live anywhere from 12-20 years, sometimes even longer. As your feline baby grows old with you or perhaps gets sick, it’s best to watch out for signs your cat is dying. This will help you give them the proper care to keep them comfortable.
Signs Your Cat Is Dying
A cat exhibits behaviours that will let you know that it’s near end of life. Here are some of them:
Lack of Interest In Eating and Drinking
It’s common for cats to lose their appetite toward the end of their lives. As with all animals, their bodies know that it takes work to process food and drinks. Your cat may be too tired and weak to consume anything.
Extreme Weakness
You will notice your cat becoming more lethargic and refusing to move. Their weakness will be very apparent in their hind legs and they will also sleep a great deal more than usual.
Lower Body Temperature
A healthy cat’s temperature is between 37-38 degrees Celsius. One of the signs your cat is dying is when they have lower body temperature. As the heart weakens, the body temperature begins to drop below 37. Use an ear thermometer or a digital rectal thermometer to check their temperature. You can also feel their paws, and if they’re cool to the touch, it can be a sign of their heart slowing down.
Changes in Appearance and Smell
Cats love to spend time grooming themselves, so when they are nearing their end, they lose the energy to groom and begin to look messy and unkempt. They will also develop a detectable odour that is due to toxins building up as their organs start to shut down. The smell gets worse over time since they don’t have a way to eliminate the toxins.
Seeking Solitude
Cats hide in solitude when they are gravely ill. In the wild, a dying cat instinctively understands that they are more vulnerable to predators. Hiding is a way to protect themselves.
Make Them Feel Comfortable When You See The Signs Your Cat Is Dying
It’s tough as a cat parent to watch them as they near the end of their life. Saying goodbye to your pet cat is a sad reality. Help them feel as comfortable as possible during this period by:
- Providing them with a soft, warm, cozy bed.
- Keeping their bedding clean, especially since they experience incontinence.
- Carrying them to the litter box if they are too weak to get up.
- Consulting your vet for proper end-of-life care.
Towards the end of their life, give them more understanding and provide them with love and affection to show that you are with them until you finally say goodbye.
Give them a beautiful send-off that they truly deserve. Contact us to find out more about our services.
