Place your hand over your cat’s left side, right behind his/her front leg. Use a stopwatch or your smartphone to count the number of beats you feel in 15 seconds. Multiply the number by four to get the heart rate beats per minute. Assess whether the bpm is at a healthy or below-normal level. A very weak cat’s blood pressure will drop as well, but this can’t be measured without special equipment.
Sit near your cat and quietly listen to his/her breathing. Watch his/her abdomen rise and fall with each breath. Use a stopwatch or your smartphone to count how many breaths she takes in 60 seconds. [3] X Research source If she is breathing quite rapidly and heavily, or if she seems to be taking very few breaths, she may be close to the end.
Use a thermometer. If you have an ear thermometer, take your cat’s temperature in his ear. If not, you can use a digital rectal thermometer to take the temperature of pets. Set the thermometer, insert it about 1 inch into the cat’s rectum, and wait for it to beep to learn the temperature. If you don’t have a thermometer, feel his paws. If they’re cool to the touch, this could be a sign that his heart is slowing down.
Check the cat’s waste as well. A cat who is no longer eating or drinking will have lower output and darker urine. As the cat weakens, he may have low or no control over his urinary tract and bowels, so you may notice accidents around the house.
For example, chronic kidney disease is common among older cats. The symptoms of the disease are very similar to end-of-life symptoms. With proper intervention, however, a cat with chronic kidney disease could live for many years. Cancer, lower urinary tract disease, and diabetes are also examples of potentially curable problems with symptoms similar to those of a cat who is dying. [7] X Research source
Many owners are now turning to “home hospice care” to ease their pets’ passing. The owners provide round-the-clock care to keep their pets healthy and comfortable for as long as possible. If you don’t feel comfortable administering a certain form of treatment, you might be able to set up frequent appointments with your vet to get your cat the care she needs.
Make sure your cat’s bedding is kept clean. Wash the blankets every couple of days in hot water. Don’t use a highly perfumed detergent, since this could be irritating to your cat. If your cat is experiencing incontinence, line the bed with towels that you can easily change out each time your cat urinates.
The cat is acting more reclusive than usual The cat is panting or struggling for breath The cat shows reluctance to move The cat is eating or drinking even less than usual
Keep a diary of your cat’s level of suffering and pain. When the “bad days” outnumber the “good days” — days when your cat can get up and move around or breathe easily — it might be a good time to talk with your vet about ending your pet’s suffering. If you choose euthanasia, the vet will administer a sedative followed by a medication that causes him or her to pass away peacefully. The process is painless and takes between 10 and 20 seconds. [10] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source You may choose to stay in the room with your pet or wait outside. [11] X Research source
In some states it is legal to bury your pet on your property, while in other places it is not legal. Before deciding where to bury your pet, research your local laws. [13] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source It is illegal to bury your cat in a public park or other public land.
